Solidarity financing mechanisms are transparent with regard to user-donors
In countries where water and sanitation service providers raise funds from their own budget (as is the case in France), the funds are managed in a decentralised manner: the money is raised locally and how it is to be used is decided locally. While this mechanism is not based on a direct voluntary contribution by the user, its implementation is a political choice, guaranteeing its legitimacy: it is the publicly elected representatives who decide, on behalf of the users, to undertake international development actions based on a feeling of solidarity. At the same time, communication actions (that can include meetings with the users) mean the local policy makers can report back on international co-operation policies.
In countries where funds are collected by a nation-wide organisation such as an NGO (WaterAid in the United Kingdom or Water for People in the United States), these funds are managed in a centralised manner. Funds are raised through voluntary contributions by the service users, water sector employees or by the water companies themselves. Communication campaigns (through the media and specific events) are the main way of mobilising support. They are combined with campaigns that report on the programmes carried out and underway. Organisations that centralise funds have considerable financial capacity, enabling them not only to support local partners to implement projects giving access to basic services, but also to carry out field research to better understand the sector. The majority of these recognised solidarity organisations also promote their work in the international arena.