Solidarity financing initiatives support approaches that complement
international co-operation practices

Solidarity financing initiatives implement actions that are based on a local-to-local relationship, without passing via State services or bodies. This approach makes it possible to support and strengthen decentralisation processes, giving legitimacy to local elected representatives.

Compared with national programmes, solidarity financing often works at a much smaller scale and mobilises smaller sums. This positioning on small programmes and not national but local commitments makes it possible to implement innovative tools and methods (such as the definition and implementation of municipal strategies for gaining access to basic services).

A significant part of the experiences gained from solidarity financing focuses on partnership approaches rather than project approaches. This provides strong support to the local authorities in the South in setting up public water and sanitation services.