Water

Pilot and Demonstration Activities
About PDAs

PDAs are short-term activities designed to

• support new approaches to processing and implementing ADB technical assistance and loan-financed investment projects, and new approaches to water sector policy development and sector reform; and
• improve or promote innovative local initiatives implemented by nongovernment organizations (NGOs), development partners, and local communities.

Since 2002, PDAs are financed under the Cooperation Fund for the Water Sector, a multi-agency umbrella facility that promotes effective water management policies and practices in Asia and the Pacific.

PDAs are meant to be fast-moving, quick disbursing activities. Thus, a project should be completed within 12 months after start-up. The PDA program provides about $50,000 funding assistance per project.

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Assistance for PDAs are based on two key principles:

• PDAs focus on innovative approaches, methodologies, and practices that are highly replicable. Eligible topics relate directly to ADB's Water Policy: Water for All. Replicability can mean within the country, to other countries in the subregion/region, or to countries in other regions.
• Support for PDAs is on a demand-driven basis. ADB regional departments and local stakeholders are invited to propose projects for funding assistance. These proposals shall be reviewed and approved by a PDA Advisory Panel on the project's technical merits, innovation, and replicability.

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• Water for All e-newsletter: Pilot and Demonstration Activities—Big Reforms in Small Platforms
• Article: Pilot and Demonstration Activities: Big Ideas Tested on a Smaller Scale
• Article: Investing in Water Governance—Luxury or Priority?

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Ellen Pascua
Water Fund Manager
E-mail: epascua@adb.org