Sambhav is the state anchor organization for representing and networking in Madhya Pradesh on behalf of Freshwater Action Network South Asia (www.freshwateraction.net)

Freshwater Action Network (FAN) is a global network of civil society organisations working on water related issues.

FAN was set up 6 years ago to ensure that civil society organisations working on water and sanitation issues are strongly represented at international policy forums and debates.  FAN now possesses global experience in networking, communications, advocacy and institution building.

FAN aims to

1. Strengthen the engagement of Civil Society in policy-making and development initiatives to achieve the international targets on water and sanitation
2. Improve global co-operation between civil society of differing perspectives, priorities and skills
3. Increase the number of NGO advocates able to communicate clearly on water policy issues
4. Act as a forum for dialogue between governments and civil society on water policies
5. Share relevant and accessible information on emerging issues
6. Link issues of water supply (WatSan) and sanitation and integrated water resources management (IWRM)

FAN doesn’t have detailed policy positions beyond promoting and valuing local NGO experience and perspectives into policy, planning and management of water and sanitation.

FAN works to achieve its aims by:

• Providing top quality information on water policies and civil society actions to members
• Supporting the organizational development of regional networks
• Providing advice, guidance and training on advocacy, networking and effective lobbying for members
• Lobbying for greater civil society participation in policy-making
• Coordinating civil society participation in key international processes
• Promoting the use and understanding of the Right to Water at all levels

FAN membership

Membership of FAN is by organization rather than individual and is open to all registered NGOs, community organizations or NGO networks who actively work in implementation or policy aspects of sustainable water resource management, water supply or sanitation for all. Membership includes international NGOs and other networks that share information and opportunities with the network. We would like to see FAN South-Asia building links with existing thematic and country level networks.

Currently there are over 500 members representing 25 countries from all regions of the world. As you can see from the breakdown, the majority of members are from Africa and South Asia. Despite constituting nearly 40% of membership, South Asia currently doesn’t have a regional network, unlike ANEW and FANCA.

The scope of information dissemination from FAN is much larger than the network members. At present, many members of regional networks are not registered as FAN members.  They distribute FAN communications to their own contacts and members.

Participation in international policy

FAN has gained valuable experience over the past 6 years from coordinating and supporting Southern NGO participation in high level International intergovernmental meetings on water. This began with the International Conference on Freshwater, Bonn 2001 and since then FAN has often been called upon to take this role. Some more recent examples are

• FAN worked hard to create space for members to promote local actions in five sessions at the 4th World Water Forum, Mexico 2006. FAN supported and facilitated the participation of a diverse group of over 25 members. For them it was a unique opportunity to gain knowledge about global perspectives on issues, learn from each other and meet with donors and senior government officials
• FAN facilitates NGO contributions in to EUWI discussions at Stockholm at World Water Weeks each year.
• FAN is facilitating a scoping study to explore potential for dialogue between the World Bank and civil society on urban water policy.
• FAN organised NGO input in to major group discussions for CSD 2004 and 2005 and will be taking leadership for CSD 2008

FAN SOUTH-ASIA

FAN secretariat fully supports the initiative to develop a new formal network of NGOs and CSOs working on WatSan and IWRM issues across South Asia. We would like to see a concept note for FAN-South Asia as an outcome of the final meeting.

We see potential value of FAN South-Asia

1. To present a strong and coherent front to deal effectively with key issues or strategically influence changes in policy
2. To provide a mechanism for information exchange on water issues to be disseminated at a local, national, regional and international level, and for local experiences to be shared with policy makers and governments

Possible objectives of FAN-South Asia

• To facilitate dialogue between civil society and decision makers on access to water supply, adequate sanitation and IWRM
• To address constraints faced by CSOs in entering dialogues on water governance and influencing decision makers.
• To develop a basis for effective participation of CSOs at continental, regional and national fora on water, and for increased accountability between CSOs and governments
• Monitor and evaluate South Asian government progress towards the MDGs on water supply and sanitation and create space for civil society inclusion in the process
• To create a communications hub and develop advocacy training

To be a member of the network from any part of the world please visit http://www.freshwateraction.net/fan/mdr_pub/r_egister.aspx, or you can also download the Application form and email it to fansasia@gmail.com or freshwatercentralindia@gmail.com

"Striving for sustainable development processes and improvement in the quality of life of vulnerable people like Tribal, women and children through their organization and capacity building efforts. "