This project aims to entrust an NGO (East Meets West Foundation) to pilot an output-based approach to provide safe drinking water to about 30,000 poor families in the central part of Viet Nam. The project plans to develop about 75 village-based piped water schemes, locally managed, possibly involving public-private partnership model. The project will test the viability of a well targeted OBA approach with full participation and ownership from the beneficiary community. It will work with the local communities to promote the development of local private operator, under a management contract or lease contract model. The NGO EMWF will implement the Project in collaboration with local government authorities.

Grant Agreement has been signed on November 30, 2007.

Pending the commitment of GPOBA subsidy, this project will bring water services to 30,000 poor families, i.e. about 150,000 people.

The GPOBA will help EMWF and its local subsidiary “Reach Vietnam” leverage the achievements of their experience of bringing safe water to beneficiary communities. The GPOBA project will build on this experience and will test the potential for replication of the model with an OBA approach, possibly involving private sector in financing water schemes. The lessons could be applied to the whole of the Vietnam and eventually in the Southeast Asia region.

"B"

Mario Alejandro Suardi