The provision of comparative information and its use in benchmarking has become an important management tool for managers and professionals in water and sanitation utilities.

If data definitions are shared and used by a sufficient number of participants, at least for a core set of indicators, this network will add value to all its users and contributors by providing them with useful international comparative information.

The IBNET Toolkit has been developed to support the above concept and to provide initial support to newly establishing benchmarking schemes. The IBNET Toolkit will be available in English, Spanish and Russian and includes the following resources:

• a set of core indicators on which stakeholders can build their own customised measurement and monitoring system;
• a data list complete with robust data definitions;
• a data capture system that also calculates the complete indicator set; and
• a method to share information and get the most out of benchmarking.