Funding allocation

Guide pooled funds allocation for the WASH sector

WASH coordination platforms have in general no direct role in the allocation of funds, with the exception of pooled funds. Pooled funds such as Country Based Pooled Funds (see CBPF Factsheet March 2017) are allocated to partners based on the review of their proposal by a Strategic Review Committee (SRC). The SRC includes most of the time the WASH Cluster coordinator and members of the SAG. Prioritization/vetting of projects submitted by cluster partners to CBPF is done according to agreed criteria. These criteria are defined by SRC for each funding process; they are linked with the Humanitarian Response Plan. One of the criteria should be that proposals are in-line with WASH sector's Operational Response Plan and Strategic Operating Framework which would make pooled funds a powerful tool to implement a cluster strategy. Review of proposals need to happen in a timely manner, often to meet very short deadlines. It is critical, therefore, for WASH sector coordinator to ensure that the selection/prioritization criteria are clearly communicated early on in the process, and that the allocation process is transparent.

CERF (Central Emergency Response Funds) is another type of pooled funds. OCHA allocates CERF to each cluster lead agencies (ex: UNICEF) who disburse them to partners based on their proposals. CERF WASH proposals are reviewed by UNICEF WASH country teams, with no direct involvement from partners or the sector coordinator.