COP4WASH in Central Asia, FHNW School of Life Sciences

CoP4WASH Central Asia supports the capacity building of the local water sector and communities (researchers, authorities, operators) to establish appropriate solution for WASH challenges in the region.

This comprises developing the potential for decentralized sanitation solutions as well as the definition, surveyance and control of water quality criteria and limits for rural water supplies (microbial and chemical-physical) which will be compiled in adequate guideline documents.

The working approach includes:

• knowledge transfer and education with a strong focus on establishing teaching and hands-on training programmes in Universities of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kirgistan
• the empowerment of the involved parties through the establishment of a community of research to practice

The FHNW School of Life Sciences role is to:

• support the development of student research proposals
• plan and lead meetings and site visits
• provide research backstopping to the research activities of the Universities from Central Asia
• support the development of water analysis methodologies that are adapted to their context and and the procurement of equipment and consumables
• moderate interactions and bridge gaps, ensuring project implementation and progress according to timelines