STRENGTHENING URBAN GOVERNANCE

This NFI-APPI supported initiative aimed at creating improved water, waste and sanitation solutions and inclusive governance by using a community network based management approach and proactive engagement with the local governments in the context of the Swachh Bharat Mission, a national scheme aimed at making the country open defecation free. Phase one carried out in 2013-15, undertook a sustainability study of all UDRC projects, focusing on WATSAN and housing. Based on the sustainability index developed from the study, in phase two currently underway, UDRC is intervening in 5 slums in Bhubaneswar covering 961 households and 6 slums in Behrampur covering 582 households. A lack of sanitation facilities is one of the top concerns raised at community and federation meetings but the Alliance also understands that simply providing a toilet is not enough if there is no ownership by communities. Thus, as a part of this project, the aim of UDRC was to influence the implementation strategy of toilet construction to include the urban poor and strengthen democratic processes by creating a platform for community contractors and slum leaders to jointly participate with NGOs in the implementation of sanitation projects.

2013-15