Community participation

Communities take decisions on the most appropriate water and sanitation solutions to meet their needs.

Credit: WaterAid / Caroline Irby

WaterAid and its partners work with individuals and families in their communities, paying special attention to the role of women and the most vulnerable people in society, so that they take responsibility for projects and ensure they are sustainable.

We know that if projects are based on the communities' needs and are appropriate to their local environment, people will be committed to their success and long-term maintenance. Communities are involved from the start from planning through building, to managing and maintaining their projects.

WaterAid and its partners teach communities about hygiene education so that they understand the importance of safe hygiene practices, clean water and effective sanitation to prevent water-related diseases.

Through discussions and meetings the community then decides on the type of project it needs, where the project should be based, how much it can afford to spend and the amount each family should pay.

This ensures that the projects are appropriate to everyone in the community so that poorer families can still afford to benefit from the schemes. Communities make appropriate labour, time and financial contributions to both the initial and the long-term running of the projects. Individuals are appointed by their community to manage the project and accounts.

They receive training from WaterAid and its partners so that they are equipped to run their projects in the long term. Communities are responsible for the regular maintenance and servicing of their water and sanitation facilities which means they are self reliant and only call out engineers if they have a serious problem.

Women are key participants in successful projects. They place a high priority on water supply and work very hard to design, implement and manage projects. We ensure that they are consulted about their preferences for project design especially where the projects should be sited. Their fund of knowledge about water sources is particularly valuable, for example, in identifying where the nearest, cleanest water sources are and in which month they dry out.

We believe in involving women in projects not only because their involvement helps to make the work successful but also because it has a positive impact on women's positions in the community. By having such an important and public role as a health promoter or a water committee member, the women's skills in the community are enhanced. Ultimately they gain skills and confidence and become stronger and more respected.

Our programmes always include hygiene education and in this area children have proved invaluable. Hygiene education is often given through schools. Children are more open to discuss and change hygiene habits than adults whose behaviour has been ingrained over a lifetime. Children who learn the importance of good hygiene practices will pass these on to their families, younger brothers and sisters and ultimately their own children.

Download the Community participation issue sheet (PDF 411Kb)