CFAs: Sustainable Rural Sanitation and WASH Development (Niger)

UNICEF is inviting Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to submit expressions of interest for a project aimed at strengthening sustainable rural sanitation services in Niger. The initiative focuses on Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS), sanitation marketing, and capacity building in municipalities across several regions. Selected organizations will work with UNICEF and government partners to support SDG 6 goals by reducing open defecation and improving long-term WASH services.

What is the UNICEF Rural Sanitation Initiative?

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is launching a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to support projects that strengthen sustainable rural sanitation services through a community-led WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) approach.

The initiative targets the communes of Bader Goudal and Tchaké and broader interventions in the regions of:

• Tahoua

• Diffa

• Maradi

• Zinder

Through partnerships with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), UNICEF aims to improve sanitation access, promote hygiene practices, and strengthen municipal capacity to manage WASH services effectively.

The program supports Niger’s long-term goal of eliminating open defecation while improving sanitation infrastructure and behavior change initiatives.

Background: WASH Strategy in Niger

In 2017, the Government of Niger adopted the Water, Hygiene, and Sanitation Sector Program (PROSEHA 2017–2030).

This national program aims to:

• Improve access to WASH services in schools and health facilities

• Promote safe hygiene practices in households and public institutions

• Reduce open defecation nationwide

• Strengthen governance of water and sanitation services

One of the key strategies under PROSEHA is the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach.

CLTS mobilizes communities to:

• Eliminate open defecation

• Build and maintain latrines

• Promote hygiene behavior change

• Take collective responsibility for sanitation improvements

Originally implemented at the village level, CLTS is now expanding to a municipal governance approach that increases the accountability of local authorities and strengthens the sustainability of sanitation services.

Current Sanitation Challenges in Niger

Despite significant government and partner efforts, sanitation access remains limited.

Key statistics highlight the scale of the challenge:

• 68.7% open defecation rate in 2017

• Government target: reduce to 50% by 2020

• 66% open defecation rate in 2024

• Only 38 out of 365 municipalities certified as Open Defecation Free (ODF)

These figures demonstrate the need for stronger community engagement, improved monitoring, and sustainable sanitation systems.

The initiative therefore focuses on strengthening CLTS implementation, sanitation marketing, and municipal capacity building.

Key Focus Areas of the Initiative

The program integrates several cross-sectoral priorities that support sustainable WASH services.

1. WASH and Environmental Sustainability

Core priorities include:

• Basic sanitation services

• Hygiene promotion and behavioral change

• Water access and management

• Natural resource management

• Environmental pollution prevention

• Climate action and environmental resilience

2. Communication and Social Engagement

Community engagement plays a major role in sanitation adoption.

Activities may include:

• Communication for development (C4D) campaigns

• Community awareness and education

• Youth leadership and participation

• Gender-sensitive outreach programs

3. Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

The program encourages initiatives that:

• Promote women’s leadership in sanitation programs

• Increase women’s participation in local decision-making processes

• Improve sanitation access for women and girls

4. Policy Advocacy and Governance

CSOs may also contribute to:

• Policy advocacy for improved sanitation systems

• Public finance and resource mobilization

• Local governance strengthening

• Accountability frameworks for municipal authorities

5. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Research

To ensure impact and sustainability, the program emphasizes:

• Monitoring and evaluation systems

• Research and data analysis

• Evidence-based decision making

• Reporting and performance tracking

Climate Resilience and Sustainability

Niger is highly vulnerable to climate change, which can affect water availability and sanitation infrastructure.

Sanitation programs must therefore incorporate climate-resilient approaches, such as:

• Durable and adaptable latrine designs

• Flood-resistant sanitation systems

• Sustainable water management practices

• Community maintenance systems

Integrating climate resilience helps ensure long-term sustainability of sanitation investments.

Who is Eligible?

The call is open to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) capable of supporting sanitation programs and community engagement.

Eligible Applicants

Organizations must:

• Be legally registered CSOs

• Demonstrate administrative and financial compliance

• Not be suspended by relevant authorities

• Have experience implementing WASH or community development projects

Applicants must also demonstrate the capacity to manage projects and work with local authorities and communities.

Geographic Scope

Projects should focus on interventions in the following regions:

• Tahoua

• Diffa

• Maradi

• Zinder

Specific communes targeted include Bader Goudal and Tchaké.

Why This Initiative Matters

Access to safe sanitation is essential for public health, environmental protection, and human dignity.

This initiative contributes to:

• Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)

• Reducing waterborne diseases

• Strengthening community-led sanitation practices

• Improving local governance of WASH services

• Promoting gender-inclusive participation in sanitation programs

By strengthening local capacity and community ownership, the initiative aims to create sustainable sanitation systems that continue beyond the project lifecycle.

How the Program Works

Selected CSOs will partner with UNICEF and the Ministry of Environment, Water Resources, and Sanitation (MEHA) to implement sanitation and capacity-building projects.

Key Implementation Activities

Projects may include:

• Implementing Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) programs

• Promoting sanitation marketing and behavior change campaigns

• Strengthening municipal capacity for WASH project management

• Training local authorities and community leaders

• Supporting community monitoring systems

The initiative emphasizes consultation, accountability, and community participation, particularly involving youth and women.

Funding Structure

Project implementation may be organized into multiple operational lots, depending on available funding.

Activation of project lots will depend on resource availability and proposal quality.

Tips for a Strong Expression of Interest

Organizations can improve their chances by focusing on several key elements.

• Demonstrate experience with WASH or community development programs

• Highlight expertise in CLTS implementation or sanitation marketing

• Show strong community engagement strategies

• Present a clear monitoring and evaluation framework

• Include strategies for gender inclusion and youth participation

Successful proposals usually combine technical expertise with strong local partnerships.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following issues when submitting an EOI:

• Providing unclear project objectives or outcomes

• Failing to demonstrate organizational capacity

• Submitting proposals without community engagement strategies

• Ignoring gender equality or youth participation elements

• Providing incomplete documentation

Clear planning and alignment with WASH and sanitation priorities are essential.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the main objective of this UNICEF initiative?

The program aims to strengthen sustainable rural sanitation services and eliminate open defecation through community-led WASH approaches.

2. What sanitation strategy is central to the initiative?

The initiative is based on the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach.

3. Which regions are targeted by the program?

Projects will focus on Tahoua, Diffa, Maradi, and Zinder, including the communes of Bader Goudal and Tchaké.

4. Who can apply for the call for expressions of interest?

Eligible applicants are Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with administrative and financial compliance and experience in WASH or community programs.

5. How does the initiative support Sustainable Development Goals?

The program contributes to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation by improving sanitation access and reducing open defecation.

6. Why is climate resilience important for sanitation projects?

Climate change increases risks to water systems and sanitation infrastructure, making resilient solutions necessary for long-term sustainability.

7. What role do communities play in the program?

Communities play a central role through participation, behavior change, local leadership, and maintenance of sanitation facilities.

Conclusion

The UNICEF Call for Expressions of Interest provides an important opportunity for Civil Society Organizations to contribute to sustainable sanitation development in Niger. By supporting Community-Led Total Sanitation, sanitation marketing, and municipal capacity building, the initiative aims to reduce open defecation and strengthen long-term WASH services.

Through collaboration with UNICEF and government partners, selected organizations will help advance SDG 6 goals, promote community ownership, and build resilient sanitation systems that improve public health and environmental sustainability across rural Niger.