CEE has been involved in the water conservation and sanitation sector since 1986 when it developed a communication strategy and package on fluorosis control as part of the National Technology Mission on Drinking Water.
CEE's f ocus has been to initiate community participation in planning, monitoring, constructing, operating and maintaining; in financial management; in community-government interface; and in conflict management of their water systems and water resource management structures. This model underscores the importance of community members operating in a systematic manner to benefit from projects.
CEE also recognises the importance of awareness generation about water care, sanitation and hygiene, and uses innovative approaches and activities that target essentially the women and children.
The Community Managed Ghogha Regional Water Supply and Sanitation Project (CMGRWSSP), a Netherlands-assisted project being implemented by the Water and Sanitation Management Organization (WASMO) in Gujarat , covered 82 coastal villages. The various components of the project were drinking water supply, environmental sanitation, hygiene promotion and water resources management. CEE was an Implementation Support Agency in 28 villages of Talaja and Ghogha blocks. This segment of the Project was named Jalsankalp .
CEE's primary role was institutional
and capacity-building village level Pani Samitis.
In addition, innovative approaches and strategies
were developed to create awareness amongst women,
children and men regarding water care, sanitation
and personal hygiene. Soak pits, latrines, pastureland
development, dustbins, compost pits and slogans were
some of the interventions initiated. The Pani Samitis
were federated into a Jalsankalp Samiti to sustain
the efforts in future. (Also
visit
` Video on Community managed Water and Sanitation')
- Bijapur Micro-Watershed Project
In the rain deficient Bijapur district of northern Karnataka, CEE developed a computer-based system to help farmers obtain authentic information on the availability and distribution of water and make informed choices about its use. In a pilot project carried out during 2000-2001, a simple information package was developed on various aspects of water in part of the Doddahalla micro-watershed, including maps and quantitative data on a range of its important attributes. Socio-economic data was linked with existing technical data for preparation of watershed maps. The information thus collected would result in rational local-level decision making about water use, and in reducing waste.
- South Asia Focal Point for WASH
CEE, in partnership with Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), Geneva , is working to strengthen communications to support the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for All ( WASH ) campaign. The Communication Campaign is aimed at decision makers, opinion makers, community leaders, the mass media and others, within and outside the sector, who can contribute towards better awareness of sanitation, hygiene and safe water issues. As part of this, CEE is supporting school and youth programmes in India , Nepal and Sri Lanka .
- Health and Sanitation Awareness and Training Programmes
From 1994-1998 CEE undertook a project to develop educational and training programmes on water-related health and sanitation issues for 41 fluorosis-affected villages under the Lathi-Liliya Regional Water Supply scheme in Amreli district of Gujarat. The project aimed to increase understanding and awareness of the issues, action or behavioural change, and inputs for management. A wide range of communication material was developed for the project including activity books, hoardings, newsletters, audio cassettes, and video programmes.
This project aimed to provide communication training and orientation support to approximately 20 NGOs in western and southern India in operationalizing the activities of the National Drinking Water Mission. This mission sought to promote monitoring of the quality of drinking water by end-users in rural areas, with local level coordination by voluntary agencies, and evolving community management mechanisms to ensure drinking water quality.
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