IFU (The investment fund for developing countries) is considering investing in W2AF (Water Access Acceleration Fund), a water impact fund managed by Incofin. IFU has requested the Consultant to support IFU in conducting an impact due diligence of this fund. The objective of the impact due diligence of the W2AF is to allow decision making on IFU’s investment in the fund and to provide information on how IFU should monitor its investment in the fund. The objective of the consultancy is to support IFU in designing the impact due diligence through assessing the strategy of the fund for achieving impact and its operational capacity to monitor and ensure that the intended impacts are realized. The consultancy began with the design of the study which included a review of the fund and its background information, interviews with the fund management, and to agree on the scope of the impact due diligence.

Denmark and Morocco have agreed to collaborate through a Strategic Sector Cooperation (SSC) in the water sector. The formulation of the engagement is done by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (DEPA) in collaboration with the Moroccan authorities and partner organizations. To decide the final focus area of the collaboration, DEPA has released a tender for a background study of the Moroccan water sector. A PEM team led by PEM-partner Thorbjørn Waagstein has analyzed the water sector and prepared inputs to the project document of the SSC collaboration. Part of the assignment was a field trip to Morocco for face-to-face discussions and data collection.

The National Water and Sewage Corporation (NWSC) of Uganda presented a list of four project ideas and requested financing from Danida Sustainable Infrastructure Finance (DSIF). The Jinja-Iganga project has been deemed suitable and NWSC has presented the project on a larger scope, which includes several subtopics within water supply and sanitation. In the first half of 2022, PEM assisted NWSC and DSIF in assessing whether the project may be eligible for DSIF funding. The team led by PEM-partner Thorbjørn Waagstein drafted a debriefing note, and assessment report, and a concept note according to Danida Guidelines.   Picture by Anna Gade (Uganda)  

The World Resource Institute (WRI) is an advocate and implementer of researching, designing, and carrying out practical solutions which improve people’s lives and ensure that nature can thrive. Since 2013, Denmark has provided core funding to the organization and has thus supported it’s aims. WRI’s 2023-2027 strategic plan will also receive Danish funding, however with an earmark. The chosen thematic areas for the plan will follow Danish development priority areas. PEM is engaged to provide aid for the preparation and program formulation of the Danish support to the WRI strategic plan 2023-2027. The consultancy team under the lead of PEM-partner Stephanie Robert Oksen prepared several documents, including the project document for Denmark’s support to the plan, had elaborate discussions Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, and WRI as well as the key donor partners. The team also visited Ethiopia and Kenya to gain in-depth insights and discuss the program with