In short
A WASH grant proposal should show the current level of water, sanitation and hygiene services with data, describe infrastructure and behaviour change together, plan who will operate and maintain facilities and pay for it, and measure service levels and hygiene behaviour, not just facilities built.
WASH funders have learned that facilities without operation, maintenance and behaviour change soon stop working. Strong proposals treat infrastructure, management and hygiene behaviour as one package.
Who funds WASH projects
WASH projects are funded by development agencies, foundations, water-sector funds, corporate programmes and local governments. Many use the service ladders of the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme to describe access to water, sanitation and hygiene.
Recommended outline
| Section | What to include |
|---|---|
| Problem statement | Access to safe water and sanitation, distance and time to collect water, water quality, and related illness |
| Baseline | Household survey of service levels and hygiene practices |
| Methodology | Technology choice, community participation, construction standards and hygiene promotion |
| Operation and maintenance | Water committees, tariffs, spare parts and technical support |
| Inclusion | Accessible facilities for persons with disabilities and safety and privacy for women and girls |
| Sustainability | Management model, financing of repairs and links with local government |
Example results and indicators
| Result | Indicator |
|---|---|
| Access improves | Number of people with access to a basic or safely managed water service |
| Sanitation improves | Percentage of households using an improved toilet |
| Hygiene changes | Percentage of households with a handwashing station with soap and water |
| Services last | Percentage of water points functional one year after construction |
Typical budget lines
- Construction or rehabilitation of water points and toilets
- Water-quality testing
- Hygiene promotion and materials
- Training of water committees and mechanics
- Spare parts and tools
- Monitoring of functionality and evaluation
What makes a WASH proposal stand out
- Combines infrastructure with management and behaviour change.
- Has a costed operation and maintenance plan.
- Makes facilities accessible and safe for everyone.
- Tests water quality, not only quantity.
- Works with local government and service providers.
Common mistakes
- Counting facilities built rather than people served.
- No plan or money for repairs.
- Ignoring menstrual hygiene and the safety of women and girls.
- Technology the community cannot maintain.
Frequently asked questions
What indicators are used in WASH proposals?
Common indicators include people with access to basic or safely managed water and sanitation, households with handwashing facilities, and the share of water points still working after a year.
How do I make a WASH project sustainable?
Agree a management model, such as a trained water committee, set fair user fees for repairs, stock spare parts and link the scheme to local government support.
Written by Gachi Foundation, a non-profit in Jharkhand, India. All proposal-writing resources.