The World Bank maintains regular contacts with civil society through periodic meetings and joint analytical work. Recent cooperation includes:

	Civil society groups were consulted in the preparation of the Water Resources Sector Strategy.Â
	In November 2004, World Bank water staff met with representatives of leading civil society organizations for a two day workshop on urban WSS. Â
	A core group of civil society representatives was invited to organize a session during Water Week 2005. They chose to focus the dialogue session on Political and Technical Issues in Cost Recovery.

In 2007 a scoping study on how the World Bank can engage with civil society groups on urban water supply and sanitation issues was undertaken by the  Freshwater Action Network (FAN) and the World Bank. The study was intended to foster sharing of information and knowledge, development of mutual understanding and trust, and opportunities for civil society organizations to provide input to World Bank policy making and operations.

The scoping study included a joint workshop that was held during Water Week 2007 to help develop systematic dialogue between the Bank and civil society organizations about urban water and sanitation services, and to identify potential activities to take it forward at global, regional and national levels. Documentation related to the scoping study include:

Â	 WB-FAN Joint Statement (pdf)
Â	 Scoping Study Final Report (pdf)
Â	 Commentary on Process (pdf)

 

With the scoping study complete, possibilities for continuing the engagement between the World Bank and CSOs are being explored in collaboration with the FAN Advisory Group.