Workshop on Sustainable WASH Financing Held in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Livelihoods Mission (OLM), in collaboration with Water.org and UNICEF, conducted a workshop on ‘Sustainable WASH Financing: Empowering 25 Lakh Households for Sustainable Water and Sanitation Solutions in Odisha’ in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.

The objective of the workshop was to foster the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and success stories while showcasing the remarkable efforts of OLM, Water.org, and UNICEF in advancing access to clean drinking water and sanitation through an innovative WASH financing approach.

WASH Financing represents a practical solution and opportunity for communities to fulfill their Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) needs. It enables communities to access small loans from mainstream financial institutions or community-based organizations like Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and their federations. These funds can be used to develop critical WASH infrastructure, including toilets, bathrooms, water filters, storage tanks, and the conversion of single-pit toilets into twin-pit systems for long-term sustainability.

William Hanlon Jr., Chief of UNICEF Odisha, addressed the participants, stating, “Utilizing WASH financing offers an alternative and supplementary approach to address persistent WASH challenges in communities.” He added, “Now is the right time to expand the reach of this approach, empowering more communities to improve their quality of life.”

Approximately 6,000 members from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in six intensive districts have received training in alternative financing. Over 13,000 loans, amounting to Rs 14 crore, have been sanctioned, surpassing the annual target of 12,084. This achievement underscores the community’s desire for a sustainable, long-term WASH solution.

Dr. N. Thirumala Naik, SMD-cum-CEO of Odisha Livelihoods Mission, emphasized the importance of communities and institutions actively promoting sustainable WASH practices. With nearly 7 million households benefiting from the Odisha Livelihood Mission under the Mission Shakti Department, this initiative aligns with the state’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6).

In his address during the workshop, Manoj Gulati, Regional Director for South Asia at Water.org, highlighted, “This workshop demonstrates our dedication to extending access to clean water and sanitation to more communities in Odisha through the WASH financing project. It reflects the significant progress made in our mission and underscores our commitment to sustainability.