CREPA is an inter states WatSan institution covering 17 countries in West and Central Africa (Bénin, Burindi Burkina Faso, Cameroon,  Centrafrique, Cote d’Ivoire, Congo, Gabon, Guinée-Conakry, Mali, Mauritania,  Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Tchad , Togo, Guinee-Bissau). CREPA works for the improvement of living conditions of poor people mainly, under-privileged and neglected populations living in rural cities, peri-urban areas and urban centres by improving their access to drinking water and sanitation services. CREPA is an original institution, unique in west and central Africa working in water supply and sanitation. It has developed a specific approach which works effectively in the field, which is a rare occurrence: the numerous micro-projects and the training courses are an obvious proof of this. CREPA’s approach, which includes three components, is: low cost appropriate technologies, community participation and micro-credits. CREPA has vast experience with project demonstrations, in particular to implement and experiment alternative financial arrangements and appropriate technologies, communication and capacity building in the sector of water and sanitation, and advocacy to more appropriate policies and operational strategies.
CREPA’s mandate is therefore to be a centre for ongoing accumulation of knowledge and search for strategies to develop technical systems, including socio-economic, financial and institutional arrangements that are long term sustainable. CREPA has a vast experience in the dissemination of information on low cost appropriate technologies to various actors in the water and sanitation sector, in particular through training, work in partnership and support to community based organizations, using participatory approaches (SARAR-PHAST, HESAWA, WaSS). Additionally, CREPA is conducting research projects funded by Sida and DDC in various domains such as: waste sludge management, waste water management by small bore sewer, ecological sanitation, financing in water and sanitation sector, etc. In collaboration with the Municipality of Bobo Dioulasso, UN-Habitat and IRC, CREPA in identified as anchoring institution by supporting the project on Basic Urban Service.

Local Project Management and the organizers of the final NETSSAF Conference in Ouagadougou-Burkina Faso. CREPA will be responsible for the Work Package 5 (Regional identification of possible suppliers / actors) giving a more profound contribution to the identification and mapping of possible regional suppliers of technological requirements. Additionally, CREPA will be the task leader of the Regional assessment of rural and peri-urban settlements /identification of key actors in WP2. They will be responsible for the organization of 3 Workshops in West Africa (Capacity Building Workshop, Rural Workshop and Second Research Clusters Workshop). Jointly with GTZ, they will publish at least one article concerning the EG3 (Community based management), and they will present a seminar regarding the Introduction to the West African database of Sanitation Supply.

Dr. Siméon KENFACK
Address:	Centre Regional pour l´Eau Potable et l´Assainissement a faible cout 27, rue de Wayalghin Ouagadougou Burkina Faso
Phone:   Fax:   Email:   Website:	+226 76542979 +226 50366208 skenfack@yahoo.fr http://www.reseaucrepa.org/