Partnership: Paving the Way for More Sustainable Clean Water in Timor-Leste
In the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions, collaboration and coordination are paramount. The ACCESS project in Timor-Leste stands as partnerships example across various stakeholders that can drive the expected changes. With a focus on Empowered Partnerships for Sustainable Energy, the project emphasizes cooperation with governmental counterparts and local communities to ensure the long-term success of energy initiatives, more specifically the iniative on access to clean water for people.
In December 2023, Meetings were conducted with the Municipal Service for Water and Sanitation (SMASA) in Bobonaro and Manatuto Municipality. The meeting was held to discuss further coordination with local communities through the reinvigorating of Facility Management Groups (GMF) in targeted aldeias (villages). At the heart of the ACCESS project lies a framework of collaboration with government entities. Coordination at the national level with the Ministry of State Administration of Timor-Leste lays the foundation for strategic planning and policy implementation. This partnership ensures that energy initiatives align with broader governmental objectives and priorities, fostering an environment conducive to sustainable development. In addition to national-level cooperation, the ACCESS project extends its reach to regional partners such as the Municipal Service for Water and Sanitation (SMASA). By working closely with SMASA, the project leverages local expertise and resources to address energy challenges at the grassroots level.
“Meetings with stakeholders at the municipality level will strengthen the driving force and sustainability of the access project results in Timor-Leste. We invite stakeholders from different sectors to discuss together so that their ownership will grow and the committed will sustain,” said Maria, an officer of the Timor-Leste ACCESS Project after the meeting.
A key pillar of the ACCESS project is the empowerment of local communities through capacity building and training initiatives. The project invests in the training of 30 local operators who will serve as technicians in Village Facility Management Groups (GMF) at the aldeia level. Under the framework of South-South Triangular Cooperation (SSTC), these local operators were trained in Jakarta in 2022 by the Center of Human Resources on Electricity, New and Renewable Energy under The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia. These local operators play a vital role in the sustainable management of energy facilities, ensuring their continued functionality and benefit to the community.
“The training program has brought Indonesia and Timor-Leste together as both countries work towards more renewable sources of energy. This training program will ensure that the most vulnerable communities in both countries will have equitable and sustainable access to basic services, which will help improve their livelihoods,” said Aretha Aprilia, the Head of Environment Unit UNDP Indonesia.
Central to the goal of the ACCESS project is its emphasis on sustainability beyond the project's lifespan. By fostering partnerships with government counterparts and local stakeholders, the project lays the groundwork for long-term success and impact. Through ongoing coordination and capacity building, communities are empowered to take ownership of energy initiatives, ensuring their resilience and sustainability for generations to come. By prioritizing partnerships and community engagement, the project demonstrates the transformative power of empowered partnerships in driving sustainable development.
Written by Sugiyanto & Maria Fatima Dias