Origins and development

1995: Ittigen

At the origin of the initiative that later came to be known as the CWG is the wish of SDC and UMP (UNCHS/Habitat, World Bank, UNDP and several ESAs) to convene ESAs to formulate a collaborative support strategy for municipal solid waste management (MSWM). In 1995 a workshop is organized in Ittigen (Switzerland) with 20 participants representing 10 organizations (ESAs, research centers and consultants). They exchange views, develop a conceptual framework for MSWM, and set up a coordinated medium-term action plan.

1996: Washington - Cairo

The initiative calls itself the "UMP/SDC Collaborative Programme on MSW in Low-income Countries" and organizes two international workshops to advance two of the key issues identified in Ittigen: promotion of public/private partnerships (Washington, 35 participants) and the involvement of micro and small enterprises (Cairo, 60 participants).

Participants now include representatives from the public and private sectors, ESAs, professional bodies and research institutions, from all continents. While funding of the Programme’s activities: workshops, case study research and tools development, remains in the hands if the initiators (SDC and World Bank / UMP), ownership and active involvement for the agenda gradually shifts to a broader range of actors.

1997 - 2003: Belo Horizonte - Manila -Dar es Salaam

An increasing number of institutions and individuals, up to more than 200 by 2002, get involved in filling the knowledge gaps identified in the 1995 Ittigen Conceptual Framework. Although no formal membership is defined, participants consider themselves as "members" of the group which by the year 2000 adopts its present name "Collaborative Working Group on Solid Waste Management in Low- and Middle-income Countries" and the acronym "CWG".

CWG workshops are held in 1998, 2000 and 2003, funded by a diverse array of ESAs. The thematic focus is on the following priority issues: upgrading options for waste disposal (Belo Horizonte, 60 participants), planning for sustainable and integrated SWM(solid waste management) (Manila, 75 participants) and solid waste collection that benefits the urban poor (Dar es Salaam, 90 participants).

More than 20 key knowledge products (manuals, guidance packs, software, decision-maker’s guides) are produced by CWG members, either as single institutional contributions or as joint efforts of several members within the framework. A group of approximately ten institutions and individuals, constituting the "core group", takes the lead of the initiative. Preparation of CWG workshops and joint development of knowledge tools / publications are instances of intensive participation, exchange and cooperation between members.

2004: A new structure and program

At the 2003 workshop, a strategy for the future of the CWG is discussed and agreed. Members see the CWG as the main lobby platform or voice of the SWM sector in developing countries and defines a 5- to 10-year agenda. No formal membership policy is adopted, but a small secretariat is established at Skat to coordinate the planned advocacy, networking, regional capacity building and knowledge product development activities.