Request for EOIs: Defecation Elimination Project in Bolivia

UNICEF is inviting grant applications to improve water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and education services in Bolivia, specifically targeting Potosí and Cochabamba Departments. The initiative focuses on expanding sanitation access, promoting healthy hygiene practices, and building local capacity to sustain WASH improvements in homes, schools, and health centres.

Program Overview

The initiative aims to ensure children, families, and communities in Bolivia have access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and proper hygiene practices. Programs target both households and public facilities such as schools and health centres to enhance overall wellbeing, reduce disease, and support child education outcomes.

Key Objectives

• Expand access to safe sanitation facilities in homes and communities.

• Strengthen WASH services in schools and health centres to improve child health and attendance.

• Promote healthy hygiene behaviours among children, caregivers, and community members.

• Build local capacity to manage and sustain WASH services, ensuring long-term improvements.

• Support municipalities in embedding WASH priorities into planning and budgets.

Focus Areas

• Sanitation Access: Support families to install safe toilets and bathing facilities, reducing open defecation and improving public health.

• Water and Hygiene Services: Improve WASH infrastructure and service delivery in schools and health centres, making facilities child-friendly, functional, and safe.

• Behaviour Change: Deliver education and social campaigns on handwashing, menstrual hygiene management, and general hygiene practices.

• Capacity Building: Train teachers, health workers, and community leaders in WASH management and hygiene promotion.

• Community Participation: Use participatory approaches to involve local communities in planning, constructing, and maintaining sanitation facilities.

Who is Eligible?

• NGOs, civil society organizations, and community-based organizations operating in Potosí and Cochabamba.

• Organizations with experience implementing WASH interventions and capacity-building initiatives.

• Entities able to collaborate with local authorities, schools, health centres, and community groups.

How It Works

1. Submit a detailed project proposal outlining activities, expected outcomes, and community engagement plans.

2. Identify the target population and geographic area within Potosí and Cochabamba.

3. Include a strategy for capacity building and sustainable management of WASH facilities.

4. Incorporate behaviour-change and hygiene education components for children and families.

5. Detail monitoring, evaluation, and reporting plans to track impact.

Expected Outcomes

• Increased household access to safe sanitation facilities.

• Improved WASH infrastructure and services in schools and health centres.

• Enhanced knowledge and adoption of healthy hygiene practices.

• Strengthened local capacity to sustain and manage WASH programs.

• Integration of WASH priorities into municipal planning and budgeting.

Tips for Success

• Highlight participatory approaches that actively engage communities.

• Emphasize measurable outcomes for sanitation access, hygiene behaviour, and educational impact.

• Provide evidence of previous WASH or community development experience.

• Clearly describe collaboration with local authorities and institutions.

• Ensure proposals include sustainability measures for long-term impact.

FAQ

1. Which regions in Bolivia are targeted? Potosí and Cochabamba Departments.
2. Who can apply? NGOs, civil society organizations, and community-based organizations with WASH experience.
3. What types of interventions are supported? Sanitation infrastructure, hygiene education, behaviour-change campaigns, and capacity building.
4. Are schools and health centres included? Yes, improving WASH services in these facilities is a central focus.
5. How should community participation be incorporated? Proposals should use participatory approaches for planning, construction, and maintenance.
6. What are the expected impacts? Improved sanitation, healthier communities, increased school attendance, and sustainable WASH practices.
7. Is long-term sustainability required? Yes, projects must demonstrate how WASH improvements will be maintained over time.

Conclusion

This UNICEF grant offers organizations an opportunity to improve sanitation, hygiene, and WASH services in Bolivia while building local capacity for sustainable impact. Through community engagement, behaviour-change strategies, and strengthened infrastructure, grantees contribute to healthier, safer, and more resilient communities for children and families.