The Fund Sustainable Water of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) has updated its policy rules on sustainability for new project proposals. This presentation introduces the major changes to sustainability checks based on financial, institutional, environmental, technical and social (FIETS) criteria. It includes details as on baseline setting and policy rules on sustainability measurement. Presented Jan Paul van Aken (Netherlands Enterprise Agency RVO.nl) at the IRC Event "Checking and monitoring sustainability of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services" in The Hague, The Netherlands on 16 November 2016,

1. Sustainability
&
Measurement
Fund Sustainable Water
IRC WASH event
The Hague, 16 November 2016
Jan Paul van Aken

2. Sustainability in FDW policy
Measurement
• Policy rules on sustainability
• Sustainability check FIETS criteria
• Sustainability and measurement
• ( Baseline setting/ M&E policy rules)

3. Important cut-off dates
First Round Deadline
Concept Note Up to Dec. 31st, 2016
Application FDW-project subsidy Feb. 27th, 2017, 15:00h CET
Decision on application Jul. 31st, 2017
Second Round Deadline
Concept Note Up to Dec. 8th, 2017
Application FDW-project subsidy Feb. 5th, 2018, 15:00h CET
Decision on application Jul. 9th, 2018
FDW@rvo.nl +31 (0)88 042 42 49 http://english.rvo.nl/fdw

4. Policy rules on sustainability
(FIETS)
• Financial: Local resources and business
case
• Institutional: Local public sector
responsibility, stakeholders involvement
• Environmental: integral approach, ‘do
good’, climate adaptation and mitigation
• Technical: sustainable O&M and monitoring
• Social: inclusive, gender responsive,
involvement and engagement

5. FIETS checklist – Financial criteria
Financial
• Cost/revenue model: commercially viable (7 years)
FDW12 & FDW14 FDW16
Aim for a substantial local
contribution
Mobilise domestic resources as much as
possible for long term financing of the
intervention (e.g. tariffs, taxes, stimulating the
enabling environment)
(Dutch and local) small and
medium-sized enterprises (SME’s)
should play a significant role in the
projects
Aim for a substantial local contribution,
especially from the private sector
Make sure that the
products/services can be delivered
after the project period
It should be clear how and by whom the
business case/ project results (provision of
services/ products) will be financially sustained
after project conclusion
The business case is based on a thorough
analysis (e.g. of the willingness to pay or a
market study).

6. FIETS checklist – Institutional criteria
FDW 12 & FDW14 FDW16
Provide a solid
stakeholder assessment
(possible conflict of
interest).
Provide a solid stakeholder assessment (consider water usage in
other sectors, such as agriculture and industry). Which
institution(s) and or organisation(s) will be responsible and how
and with what other organisations they will work together to
maintain the business case/ project results (provision of services/
products) after project conclusion.
Accountability,
responsibility and
transparency
Capacity building of the local partners is to ensure the sustainable
delivery of services and products
The local public sector plays a key role in the PPP. As ‘duty bearer’
for water related services the sector is capacitated to sustain its
role ( in terms of policy, regulation and oversight, and its duty to
ensure transparency)
A compact agreement between the PPP consortium members
clarifies the roles and responsibilities after the project period.

7. FIETS checklist – Environmental criteria
FDW 12 & FDW14 FDW16
The project should not have detrimental
environmental effects, including climate
change
Projects are expected to make a positive
contribution to sustainable use of scarce natural
resources and reduce waste and pollution
(IWRM context).
The project should take into account the
(predicted) effects of climate change on
the water situation in the region. The
project approach should be adaptable to
those effects and not contribute to further
degradation.
It should be clear how a potential negative
impact of the business case/project and its
results (products and services) on the natural
environment will be avoided or mitigated.
It should be clear how the business case/
project and its results (products and services)
are adaptive to the potential effects of climate
change.
If applicable, it should be clear how the project/
business case will contribute to maintaining or
improving the natural environment (including
the sustainability of the water source) during
and beyond project implementation.

8. FIETS checklist – Technical criteria
FDW 12 & FDW14 FDW16
The installed infrastructure remains
operational beyond the project period
It should be clear how and by whom the
installed infrastructure of technologies will
be operated, maintained and monitored
during and after project implementation
(mandatory sustainability indicator)

9. FIETS checklist – Social criteria
FDW 12 & FDW14 FDW16
The project takes into
account the specific needs of
women, vulnerable groups
and the poorest in society
The project is inclusive based on a thorough analysis.
Take into account specific needs of women, vulnerable groups
and the poorest in society.
Make clear how the business case/project (products and
services) responds to the needs of particular social groups.
Take into account social values, human right and negative
impact on other social groups, during and after project
implementation.
The project is gender responsive:
- A gender analysis is an integral part of the context and
problem analysis of the project.
o The project stimulates involvement of women in
decision making, planning and project implementation..
o The project contributes to the economic and social
empowerment of women.
o Water Sanitation and Hygiene projects integrate
where possible menstrual hygiene management.

10. Thesis: Measuring the sustainability of projects
is more than data collection alone
Sustainability & Measurement: thesis
 Baseline analysis & setting
 Sustainability check
 Result and progress indicators
 Sustainability compact

11. Baseline setting
Social-economic
survey
(pro-poor basic
analysis)
Water
performance
(quality and
quantity)
Key performance
indicators
(compulsory)
Project-specific
indicators
Sustainability
indicators
FIETS checklist Sustainability framework

12. Policy rules on measurement
• Mandatory indicators (see Annex 2 Policy Rules)
• Key performance indicators (see Annex 6
Application Forms)
• Project specific indicators
• Sustainability indicators (result and progress
based) – see guidance notes sustainability
framework
Output- and outcome-level achievements