Accounting for solidarity: trust and results as a replacement of contracts in water operators’ partnerships

ABSTRACT Water operators' partnerships (WOPs) differ from other types of collaborations in that they are ‘solidarity-based’. By focusing on two partnerships between utilities from the Netherlands and Malawi, this article examines how accountability is addressed in solidarity-based WOPs. The article finds that the solidarity-based nature of these partnerships makes accountability between partners through contractual arrangements challenging. In such a setting, multiple and diverse lines of accountability exist. In particular, trust appears to complement more formal accountability mechanisms. At the same time, this trust relationship is only possible as long as the partnerships produce the desired operational results. The cases furthermore suggest that rather than think about optimal accountability mechanisms, ensuring accountability mechanisms that are sufficient and accepted by both partners is already an achievement.