A hub keeps WASH systems in motion

This paper presents IRC Ghana’s experience of acting as a ‘hub’ to support collective action in the Asutifi North District of Ghana. Given that no single actor can deliver the ambitious SDG 6 targets alone, IRC acts as a hub in the districts where it works, supporting broad-based alliances that put learning at the heart of work to bring about lasting change. A hub supports the system of individuals, organisations, technologies and institutions (political, financial and regulatory) to work more effectively. It brings stakeholders together, ensuring that partners share knowledge and information at district and national level, and integrating partners who may otherwise operate in isolated silos. The hub helps actors to focus on a common goal, ensures continuity and consistency of effort, and that emerging lessons are distilled and shared. This collective action gives a voice to socially excluded people and minimises duplication in service provision. Hubs make collective action more effective.