World Bank finances education and water projects in Timor-Leste

The World Bank has approved two new projects totaling over $48 million for Timor-Leste .

The $25 million Timor-Leste Water Supply and Sanitation Project, in Baucau, will help finance the construction of a centralized water supply system to provide treated drinking water with connections to homes, businesses, schools and community services. 

Similarly, a treatment plant and community-based sewerage schemes will be built for collection and treatment of domestic wastewater. With a $5 million contribution from the government of Timor-Leste, the project will deliver a sustainable, safer clean water and sanitation system by 2026.

And the five-year, $23.55 million Basic Education Strengthening and Transformation (BEST) project aims to deliver new and upgraded classrooms, school facilities and higher teaching quality.

Implemented by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, more than 60% of the funding will finance the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms and schools and will improve infrastructure planning to ensure new works meet minimum standards. The project will be financed with a $15 million concessional credit from the World Bank’s International Development Association and a $8.55 million grant from the Global Partnership for Education.