Empowering Local Champions for Equitable WASH Access
Providing access to safe and reliable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services remains a critical challenge in urban slums across India. In Hyderabad, the capital city of the southern state of Telangana, marginalized communities living in informal settlements often lack basic WASH infrastructure and face significant health and environmental risks. To address these disparities, community-based organizations (CBOs) have emerged as key partners in driving sustainable WASH governance at the local level.
Catalyzing Community-Driven Solutions
Community engagement is at the heart of effective WASH service delivery in urban slums. In Hyderabad, CBOs have played a vital role in mobilizing residents, identifying needs, and advocating for improved WASH infrastructure and services. These grassroots organizations, often led by women, have gained the trust of their communities and leveraged their local knowledge to design context-appropriate solutions.
“Our CBO has worked closely with the local government to ensure that every household in our slum has access to a functional toilet. We started by conducting a community survey to understand the challenges, and then worked with engineers to design an affordable sanitation system that fit the limited space. Now, our neighbors no longer have to resort to open defecation.” – Anita, President of the Shanti Nagar Slum Development Association
By empowering communities to participate in the planning and implementation of WASH interventions, CBOs have fostered a sense of ownership and commitment to maintaining the infrastructure. This has been particularly important in slums where past top-down, supply-driven approaches have failed to address the unique needs and constraints of the residents.
Strengthening CBO Capacities for Sustainable WASH Governance
While CBOs have demonstrated their value as catalysts for change, many face capacity gaps that limit their long-term effectiveness. Recognizing this, the Telangana government, in partnership with civil society organizations and development agencies, has implemented a comprehensive program to build the institutional and technical capacities of WASH-focused CBOs in Hyderabad’s slums.
1. Organizational Development
A key focus of the capacity-building efforts has been strengthening the internal governance and management structures of CBOs. This has involved training on effective leadership, financial management, and strategic planning to ensure the organizations’ sustainability and ability to advocate for their communities’ needs.
“Before the training, our CBO was heavily dependent on external funding and lacked the skills to manage our own finances. Now, we have established robust accounting systems and can better track our income and expenditures. This has given us the confidence to negotiate directly with the government for resources to improve WASH services in our slum.” – Fatima, Treasurer of the Banjara Hills Slum Development Committee
2. Technical Assistance for WASH Service Delivery
In addition to organizational development, the program has provided CBOs with hands-on technical support to enhance their ability to plan, implement, and maintain WASH infrastructure. This has included training on design and construction of low-cost sanitation systems, water quality monitoring, and operation and maintenance of community water points.
“Before, we had to rely on the municipal corporation to fix any issues with our community water taps. But now, our CBO has the skills to troubleshoot minor problems and perform routine maintenance. This has helped us ensure a more reliable water supply for our residents.” – Rajesh, Secretary of the Charminar Slum Development Association
3. Advocacy and Networking
To amplify the voices of slum residents, the capacity-building program has equipped CBOs with advocacy skills and supported their engagement with local government agencies. This has enabled the organizations to effectively negotiate for improved WASH services, hold authorities accountable, and forge partnerships to access additional resources.
“We used to feel powerless when dealing with the municipality. But after the advocacy training, we learned how to strategically approach officials, present data, and build coalitions with other CBOs. This has allowed us to secure commitments from the government to upgrade the drainage system in our slum and ensure regular desludging of our community toilets.” – Saira, Vice President of the Gulistan-e-Mahboob Slum Development Committee
Fostering Inclusive and Sustainable WASH Governance
The capacity-building program has yielded tangible improvements in WASH service delivery across Hyderabad’s slums. By empowering CBOs to take on a more active role in WASH governance, the initiative has helped to bridge the gap between community needs and government interventions.
Inclusive Decision-Making
The program’s emphasis on community participation has ensured that the voices of women, youth, and marginalized groups are represented in WASH planning and decision-making processes. This has led to the development of more equitable and context-appropriate solutions that address the unique challenges faced by different segments of the slum population.
Sustainable Service Delivery
Strengthening the technical and financial capacities of CBOs has enhanced the long-term sustainability of WASH infrastructure and services. With improved ability to maintain and operate community water and sanitation facilities, the organizations have been able to ensure reliable access and prevent system breakdowns.
Strengthened Accountability
The advocacy skills gained by CBOs have enabled them to hold local authorities accountable for their commitments to improve WASH services. By actively monitoring the quality and coverage of services, the organizations have been able to identify gaps and work with the government to address them in a timely manner.
Scaling Up and Replicating the Approach
The success of the capacity-building program in Hyderabad has inspired the Telangana government to replicate the model in other urban centers across the state. By investing in the institutional and technical capabilities of CBOs, the government aims to further strengthen community-driven WASH governance and achieve its goal of universal access to safe and reliable water and sanitation services.
“The partnership between the government, civil society, and community organizations has been the key to the success of this program. By empowering local champions, we have been able to create sustainable, equitable, and responsive WASH systems that truly meet the needs of the urban poor.” – Aditya Sharma, Director of the Telangana Urban Development Department
As India continues to grapple with the challenge of providing adequate WASH services in its rapidly growing cities, the Hyderabad model offers valuable lessons for policymakers and practitioners. By prioritizing community engagement and capacity building, this approach has demonstrated the potential to transform slum residents from passive recipients to active participants in the quest for sustainable and inclusive WASH governance.
