Developing capacity for an integrated rural sanitation service delivery model at scale

G. Halcrow, I. Krukkert, A. Kome & E. Baetings

37th WEDC International Conference, Hanoi, Vietnam, 2014

• Sharing the approach and learnings in developing capacity for an integrated rural sanitation service delivery model at scale, whilst ensuring quality and equitable outcomes

• Contribute to the wider sector discussions for the Post-2015 development agenda towards delivering affordable, accountable and sustainable WASH services with equity

Purpose of the presentation

Capacity development programme in 15 countries across Asia and Africa to develop and roll out district-wide sustainable

sanitation service delivery model

• Access to improved sanitation is a human right, and national and local governments are the duty bearers for a progressive realisation of that right,

and therefore

• The SSH4A programme focuses on developing the capacity of local governments to lead and accelerate progress towards district-wide sanitation and hygiene coverage with a focus on institutional sustainability and learning.

The SSH4A approach

• The delivery of sustainable WASH services involves moving beyond sanitation demand creation.

Key principles of the SSH4A approach

• The SSH4A model uses an integrated model that combines work on:

1) demand creation2) sanitation supply

chains strengthening,3) behavioural change

communication (BCC) and

4) WASH governance.

• Sustainable sanitation & hygiene is first and foremost about behavioural change

• Sanitation demand creation and supply side interventions need to be developed simultaneously so that products and services are available when people are motivated to construct a toilet

• Approaches must be scalable through a government-led district wide approach, as opposed to an exclusive community focus

Key principles of the SSH4A approach

• To ensure that all groups (including poorest and most vulnerable) are reached, explicit support strategies need to be developed with local stakeholders

• To sustain behaviour change, innovative hygiene promotion must be embedded in long-term institutional health programmes

• To maximise potential health impact, small steps of progress must be measured: not just access but also use and maintenance of toilets

Key principles of the SSH4A approach

• Build capacity for implementation of demand creation at scale and create momentum for change by promoting district-wide coverage

• Develop outreach and implementation strategies to scale up sanitation demand creation that are based on the specific country context

Capacity for steering and implementation of sanitation demand creation

Outreach models

• Develop more inclusive market-based solutions for sanitation products and services on the basis of consumer studies, sanitation supply chain analysis and business modelling

• Need to target different consumer segments

Capacity for sanitation supply chains and finance

For rural households to invest, WASH-related products/services must be: Available (easy access to

materials and services) Desirable (with adequate

quality and design) Affordable, and Delivered at an

appropriate time.

• Increase use of evidence-based behaviour change communication to sustain S&H behaviours beyond the initial triggering phase

• Embed long-term hygiene promotion in existing health systems to sustain hygiene behaviour change and to maximise health benefits

Capacity for behavioural change communication (BCC)

A key aspect is understanding

motivations and barriers from the

perspective of the target group,

guided by formative research

• Support local governments to make the shift from a village-focused sanitation project to a coherent district-wide service delivery approach

• Work towards multi-stakeholder consensus to overcome the challenges occurring when conflicting approaches are implemented within the same district

• Develop tailored pro-poor support strategies with local government to ensure that also the poorest and socially excluded groups have access to improved sanitation and hygiene

Capacity for WASH governance

• National and local governments are the rightful duty bearers and they must be in the lead

• Programmes such as SSH4A must support and build the capacity of government to lead and accelerate progress

• The post-2015 MDG agenda will require a move beyond rapid coverage towards professionalising the sector and institutional sustainability to be able to sustain improvements and to respond to future needs and challenges

In conclusion …