INITIATIVE 1: THE WASH HUB
A “one-stop” shop for online knowledge sharing and learning
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GOAL of WASH HUBThe WASH Hub aims to enable practitioners involved in humanitarian WASH interventions to access curated sector knowledge, resources and tools through a coordinated global go-to-point that provides orientation, guidance, knowledge-sharing and learning opportunities, that hosts an active community of WASH practitioners and provides tailored personal and AI-powered support.
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Impact and Achievements:
In 2024 the WASH Hub partners met twice in Switzerland (kick-off at IFRC HQ Geneva and design sprint in Willisau) to develop a joint vision and the full conceptualisation of the Hub. This led to the development of a first clickable prototype (see link below) to showcase the Hub and its envisioned core functionalities and to make the UX design more tangible. The core elements of the WASH Hub include:
In 2024 the WASH Hub partners met twice in Switzerland (kick-off at IFRC HQ Geneva and design sprint in Willisau) to develop a joint vision and the full conceptualisation of the Hub. This led to the development of a first clickable prototype (see link below) to showcase the Hub and its envisioned core functionalities and to make the UX design more tangible. The core elements of the WASH Hub include:
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AI-Powered Assistance: Generative AI support for easier multi-lingual access to information and more personalised and contextualised support.
Access to Knowledge: Structured and curated repository of key sector resources, tools, events and trainings that can be accessed through different thematic lenses. WASH Community: Active community of WASH practitioners facilitated peer-to-peer exchange, moderated temporary topical communities of practice on demand and hosting of thematic sector initiatives and working groups. Expert Support: Direct remote support from a team of experts upon request. |
CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW THE WASH HUB |
WASH HUB DESIGN SPRINT
The WASH Hub Design Sprint Workshop, held on September 24-25, 2024, in Willisau, Switzerland, brought together leading WASH sector experts and organizations to collaboratively shape the future of the WASH Hub. Facilitated by Seecon, CEWAS, and the German Toilet Organization (GTO), the event focused on understanding the needs of the Hub's core users, prioritizing key functions, and brainstorming innovative design concepts.
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WASH HUB SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
Our sustainability plan focus on maintaining high-quality service while progressively reducing operational costs through increased automation and strategic human expertise deployment. A detailed business concept has yet to be developed but it is envisioned. The most promising scenario would be a tiered revenue, including:
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Free tier:
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Advanced (paid) organizational tier:
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WASH HUB'S PLACE IN WASH HUMANITARIAN SECTOR
On a daily basis, humanitarian workers have to deal with complex intervention challenges requiring practical solutions. However, technical expertise may not be available locally due to inexperience, cost, insecurity or remote locations. Having the ”right systems and information, at the right place, at the right time’’ is vital to acquire the knowledge to respond effectively in emergencies. Thus, promoting cross-learning and sharing experienced, technical expertise and best practices are crucial to addressing humanitarian challenges. Undeniably, there is a breadth and depth of knowledge within the community of practitioners, but information and core knowledge are often scattered across many websites in poorly indexed libraries which are difficult to access by practitioners globally. It is now time to share and build them locally.
The online “WASH Hub” platform aims to answer the above problematic status quo: it will be a virtual space for field-level WASH practitioners to access key technical resources, events, and training. It will be designed as a service by and for humanitarian practitioners, particularly those working in local organizations around the world.
The main output of this initiative is the ”one-stop’’ shop for online knowledge sharing and learning to provide the opportunity for local humanitarian organizations to engage and benefit from knowledge, data, and learning products. It aims to link existing external partners and stakeholders operated resources, such as the COVID-19 Hygiene Hub, eCompendium, Octopus, Wash’Em amongst other tools, to simplify accessing and sharing information and knowledge, particularly for local actors in technologically challenging settings. Aside from the resource repositories, the WASH Hub will also link humanitarian workers to key agency document repositories and online training packages and provide regular updates on WASH events and conferences through regular WASH Hub newsletter updates and social media engagement.
Information gathered through mapping of existing platforms and a survey to WASH practitioners will guide the design of a second output: a 2-way communication hub between humanitarian workers and technical experts (depending on the results of the feasibility study carried out through Phase 2).
The online “WASH Hub” platform aims to answer the above problematic status quo: it will be a virtual space for field-level WASH practitioners to access key technical resources, events, and training. It will be designed as a service by and for humanitarian practitioners, particularly those working in local organizations around the world.
The main output of this initiative is the ”one-stop’’ shop for online knowledge sharing and learning to provide the opportunity for local humanitarian organizations to engage and benefit from knowledge, data, and learning products. It aims to link existing external partners and stakeholders operated resources, such as the COVID-19 Hygiene Hub, eCompendium, Octopus, Wash’Em amongst other tools, to simplify accessing and sharing information and knowledge, particularly for local actors in technologically challenging settings. Aside from the resource repositories, the WASH Hub will also link humanitarian workers to key agency document repositories and online training packages and provide regular updates on WASH events and conferences through regular WASH Hub newsletter updates and social media engagement.
Information gathered through mapping of existing platforms and a survey to WASH practitioners will guide the design of a second output: a 2-way communication hub between humanitarian workers and technical experts (depending on the results of the feasibility study carried out through Phase 2).
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Finding report on the WASH Hub, published in November 2023:
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Deliverables:
> Phase 1 Scoping : outcomes and recommendations report; End of 2023 (done)
> Phase 2 (Conceptualization): Mid or End of 2024 (done)
> Phase 3: Adapt the platform and WASH Hub online/human services (2024-2025)(done)
Provisional total budget:
400,00 - 200,000 EUR
Synergies with:
Initiatives 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
Deliverables:
> Phase 1 Scoping : outcomes and recommendations report; End of 2023 (done)
> Phase 2 (Conceptualization): Mid or End of 2024 (done)
> Phase 3: Adapt the platform and WASH Hub online/human services (2024-2025)(done)
Provisional total budget:
400,00 - 200,000 EUR
Synergies with:
Initiatives 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
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LED BY:
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PARTICIPANTS:
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Global WASH Cluster, Action Against Hunger, French Water Partnership, German Tiolet Organisation, International Organisation of Migration, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Reach, International Medical Corps and Solidarités International
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