Development Aspects Impressum Editors

Participate in a study visit to Bangkok, Thailand

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  Finance local transportation costs for the Eco-Tanks
  

(from arrival of Eco-Tanks in country to installation sites)

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  Provide the required data during the project timeline
  

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  Commit human resources to learn about the usage of Eco-Tanks through
  

study trips and carry out the project over the three year time frame

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  Commit resources to organize awareness-raising and information sessions
  

to target audiences

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  Prepare necessary documentation for the project
  

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  Participate in events and to report to outsiders
  

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  Eventually upscale the project from pilot status, with potential private sector
  

partnerships

While a variety of applications were received for the C2C Cooperation Project, three cities were selected as suitable host cities, with each city receiving two Eco- Tanks for the pilot project. The three cities selected were: Negombo (Sri Lanka), Palembang (Indonesia) and San Fernando (the Philippines), accepted as a later en- try candidate in 2009 following delays in finalizing baseline research and participa- tion agreements. Initial groundwork began immediately upon selection of the cit- ies to assess potential sites and land plots, negotiate with key landowners, conduct public awareness campaigns, outline budgeting plans with local governments for any on-site costs and develop work plans. As a prerequisite upon selection, two delegates from each of the beneficiary cities participated in a study visit to Bangkok enabling city delegates to learn how Eco-Tanks were designed, proper installation and technical functions, and assess overall uptake possibilities and benefits in their local contexts, while developing action plans for transferring the model locally.

The project was the first of its kind in all three cities, especially as external financing would support knowledge and technology transfer to test greener local infrastructure and services. Mayors from all cities expressed their keen interest in implementing the pilot project and this in turn confirmed that there would be strong political and administrative leadership in supporting the project, at least initially.
During the second and third year of activities, the project faced a variety of obstacles owing to unforeseen circumstances. This phase, from 2009 to 2010, par- ticularly lent many of the lessons learned overall. The core part of the project for the second year was the actual transfer of the Eco-Tanks to Negombo and Palem- bang, as well as “soft technology” or “knowledge transfer” in the form of IEC (in- formation, education and communication) campaigns and project demonstrations.



Figure 1: Eco-Tank being installed in Negombo in 2011
Owing to political, logistical and manpower challenges in the City of Negombo, the project was put on hold for months, but work resumed in mid-2009 (see figure 1). UNITAR, CITYNET and the City of Negombo held a series of workshops to sensitize community members about the project goals and Eco-Tanks, with 20 to 30 community leaders and other stakeholders attending each time. There were mixed reactions from the community members, as some expressed concerns that the cost–benefit ratio was too high. Other concerns expressed revolved around behavioural changes that would have to be made by older citizens in using new designated toilets.
As months passed and delays in transporting the tanks mounted, alternative solutions to expedite the installation of the tanks were sought through a variety of methods. This was unsuccessful, mainly because of the poor transport infrastruc- ture to move the Eco-Tanks and because completion of the final target site (a new bus terminal, see figure 2) was delayed. Negombo also indicated that the delay was due to political developments, since transporting the tanks to the project site would have to take place after the presidential election in late January 2010.


Figure 2: New bus terminal (target site) under construction in Negombo with Eco-Tank installation completed