Deadline: 30-May-2026
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is seeking applications to strengthen access to safe and climate-resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in rural Sierra Leone between 2026 and 2028. The programme focuses on sustainable water systems, sanitation improvements, hygiene behaviour change, and long-term infrastructure maintenance, targeting at least 90% system functionality in supported communities and institutions.
What is the UNICEF WASH Programme?
This UNICEF initiative supports integrated water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions in rural communities and public institutions across Sierra Leone. It combines infrastructure development with climate adaptation, hygiene promotion, and community-led management systems.
The programme emphasizes sustainability, ensuring that WASH services remain functional, climate-resilient, and community-managed beyond initial implementation.
Programme Duration and Scope
- Implementation period: 2026–2028
- Geographic focus: Selected rural districts in Sierra Leone
- Target settings: Communities, schools, and health facilities
Core Programme Objectives
The initiative aims to:
- Improve access to safe drinking water
- Strengthen sanitation and hygiene practices
- Enhance climate resilience of WASH systems
- Support community ownership and management
- Build institutional and technical capacity
- Improve long-term sustainability of infrastructure
- Promote inclusive and equitable WASH services
Key Focus Areas
Water Supply Services
- Climate-resilient water infrastructure
- Safe and reliable drinking water systems
- Improved access in rural communities and institutions
Sanitation Systems
- Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) implementation
- Elimination and sustainability of open defecation-free status
- Household sanitation expansion through financing support
Hygiene Promotion
- Behaviour change communication
- Handwashing promotion initiatives
- Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) programmes
- School and community-based hygiene education
WASH in Institutions
- WASH facilities in schools and health centres
- Integration of menstrual hygiene management into institutions
- Improved sanitation and hygiene infrastructure
Climate and Environmental Resilience
- Climate-adaptive WASH infrastructure
- Environmental protection and pollution reduction
- Sustainable natural resource management
Implementation Approach
Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS)
- Behaviour-driven sanitation transformation
- Community mobilisation to eliminate open defecation
- Sustained community ownership of sanitation outcomes
Post-Construction Sustainability
- Long-term maintenance systems for WASH infrastructure
- Deployment of local technicians and mechanics
- Monitoring of system functionality (target: 90%)
- Spare parts supply chain development
Capacity Building
- Training for WASH committees and local actors
- Strengthening district-level WASH governance
- Institutional support for local authorities
Private Sector Engagement
- Sanitation marketing initiatives
- Local service delivery partnerships
- Support for maintenance and supply chains
Key Expected Results
1. Reliable Water Systems
- At least 90% functionality of WASH infrastructure
- Improved access to safe water in targeted areas
2. Improved Sanitation Outcomes
- Completion of CLTS cycles
- Sustained open defecation-free communities
- Increased household toilet adoption
3. Hygiene Behaviour Change
- Improved handwashing practices
- Increased menstrual hygiene awareness and access
- Better community hygiene behaviours overall
4. Stronger Local Governance
- Establishment and strengthening of WASH committees
- Increased district-level coordination
- Improved community participation in WASH management
5. Sustainable Maintenance Systems
- Local technician deployment for repairs
- Functionality monitoring systems in place
- Reliable supply chains for spare parts
Cross-Cutting Priorities
All interventions must ensure:
- Gender equality and women’s empowerment
- Inclusion of persons with disabilities
- Social and economic inclusion
- Climate change adaptation
- Environmental sustainability
- Community participation and ownership
- Strong collaboration with local authorities
Target Groups
The programme prioritizes:
- Rural communities
- School children and teachers
- Health facility users
- Women and adolescent girls
- Persons with disabilities
- Vulnerable and underserved populations
Why This Programme Matters
This UNICEF WASH programme is critical because it:
- Improves access to safe water in rural Sierra Leone
- Reduces waterborne diseases through better sanitation
- Strengthens resilience to climate change impacts
- Improves health and education outcomes
- Ensures long-term sustainability of WASH infrastructure
- Promotes gender-sensitive hygiene and sanitation practices
- Builds stronger local governance systems
Frequently Asked Questions
What does WASH stand for?
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene.
What is the programme timeline?
From 2026 to 2028.
What is the main target of the programme?
To provide safe, climate-resilient WASH services in rural Sierra Leone.
What is the functionality target for systems?
At least 90% operational functionality of WASH systems.
What is Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS)?
A community-based approach to eliminate open defecation through behaviour change.
Who benefits from the programme?
Rural communities, schools, health facilities, women, and vulnerable groups.
Does the programme include climate resilience?
Yes, climate adaptation is a core component.
Conclusion
The UNICEF Sierra Leone WASH programme is a comprehensive development initiative designed to strengthen water, sanitation, and hygiene systems through climate-resilient infrastructure, community ownership, and sustainable maintenance structures. By integrating behaviour change, institutional capacity building, and inclusive participation, it aims to ensure long-term improvements in public health, environmental sustainability, and rural resilience.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
