About RiPPLE

RiPPLE is a five-year research programme consortium funded by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID). It aims to advance evidence-based learning on water supply and sanitation (WSS), focusing specifically on issues of planning, financing, delivery and sustainability, and the links between sector improvements and pro-poor economic growth.  

Working in three regions of Ethiopia, RiPPLE has begun to develop new bodies of high quality policy and practice-relevant knowledge through its platform of Learning and Practice Alliances (LPAs) that operate at different levels. The LPAs guide research direction according to local priorities, test and evaluate new approaches, and share experiences within and between districts and regions.  RiPPLE’s research cycle comprises the following Phases: 

  • In Phase 1 (2006-8) our research focused on the development of case studies covering a range of financing, growth, and governance and planningissues.  
  • In Phase 2, (2008-9), we have been implementing two Long-term Action Research Studies (LARS) on Access and Growth, building on the Phase 1 case studies and the priorities and concerns of our LPA members.  
  • In Phase 3 (2009-), the programme will evolve from these LARS and concentrate further on influencing policy and practice, and developing sector capacity to generate new knowledge in support of improved service delivery. 

Page last updated 9 Mar 2009