Sustainable and Innovative Rural water, Sanitation and Hygiene – Closing phase (SIRWASH)


The project strengthens policy, institutions, capacities and foster innovation in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector in rural areas. For this closing phase, it will support the scaling up of key interventions, institutionalizes and  capitalizes the knowledge acquired between the targeted countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and shares it with other regions and actors in the WASH sector. The program will also strengths and consolidates youth-led WASH enterprises.  

Pays/région Thème Période Budget
Monde entier
Eau
Développement économique inclusif
Approvisionnement en eau
Assainissement d'eau
Développement de petites et moyennes entreprises
Politique du secteur de l’eau
15.06.2025 - 14.06.2027
CHF  2’500’000
Contexte Despite the significant progress in improving the access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in the past two decades in Latin America countries  (LAC), there are still millions of rural people who lack access to safely managed water and basic sanitation. Moreover, many governments in the region are struggling to ensure sufficient human and financial resources to the sector,  better rural sector policy and regulations and capacities to provide sustainable WASH services. Youth-led social enterprises also face many financial, training  and legal challenges to develop their WASH businesses. SIRWASH has boosted the relevance of rural areas, has generated awareness of the need to develop better policies to invest more thoroughly in rural areas as well as  increasing the commitment of different counterparts in improving WASH performance. Therefore, the closing phase is expected to consolidate key policy  frameworks,  scale  up  successful  interventions, improve the innovation  ecosystem and knowledge management. 
Objectifs Rural communities of targeted countries have increased their access to an equitable WASH service due to the implementation of improved rural policies, strengthened  capacities, empowered institutions and boosted innovation ecosystem. 
Groupes cibles

Direct beneficiaries: i) Sectorial WASH entities; ii) Provincial and municipal  governments  and community-based entities; iii) (Young) WASH practitioners,  (Young) entrepreneurs, National WASH Platforms, Civil Society Organizations; 
iv) Private sector 

End beneficiaries: i) Vulnerable people from rural and dispersed communities in targeted countries. 

Effets à moyen terme
  1. Policies: The rural WASH sector of each country is improved through better  policy implementation and improved regulatory framework. 
  2. Capacities and knowledge: Sectorial entities capacities are strengthened (including topics such as climate change and disaster risk reduction), knowledge is capitalized and disseminated through South – south collaboration.
  3. Innovation: Youth-led WASH businesses are consolidated, and a platform is  strengthened to foster and channel exchanges among youths, entrepreneurs  and financiers. 
Résultats

Principaux résultats attendus:  

  • 03 normative instruments are consolidated to be implemented in the rural setting.  
  • 05 guidelines are enhanced for the effective consolidation of rural WASH service  provision, accountability and investment.  
  • 25 start-ups consolidated with advance technical support to strength their  financial sustainability and impact. 
  • 04 new partnerships with Swiss networks (AGUASAN, ResEAU, Swiss Water Partnership) and Global women networks are promoted to enhance knowledge sharing.  
  • 06 regional and global dialogues spaces organized to disseminate knowledge products and policy advocacy 
  • 1000 people (at least 30% women) trained through thematic dialogues, strategic  workshops and study tours,  including elements of climate change and risk management. 
  • 10 different kinds of knowledge resources developed to raise awareness and foster exchange & learning. 
  • 01 capitalization of experiences of SDC WASH programs in Latin America 
  • 400’000 people have benefited with better services through the program results and the investment loans.   


Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

  • More than US$ 400 million in investment loans have been leveraged for the period 2021 to 2029. 
  • 4 regulatory instruments were influenced by SIRWASH activities. 
  • 69% (46) of the supported youth led start-ups continue operating and had an impact over 35’000 people.  
  • A LAC branch within the Community of Practice of the Rural Water Sanitation  Network was promoted and strengthened. 
  • 16  alliances were established for knowledge sharing, capacity building and policy advocacy. 
  • More than 2000 WASH sector specialists and professionals participated and  trained through global and regional seminars, dialogues, webinars and online courses. 
  • 6  pilot projects contributed to address rural WASH challenges.  
  • 250’000 people have benefited with better services through the program results and the investment loans.   


Direction/office fédéral responsable DDC
Partenaire de projet Partenaire contractuel
Institution financière internationale (IFI)
ONG internationale ou étrangère
Secteur privé
  • Banque interaméricaine de développement (other)
  • Other international or foreign NGO North
  • Sectreur privé étranger Sud/Est


Coordination avec d'autres projets et acteurs Asian and African Development Bank, IDB Aquafund, World Bank, UNICEF, AguaSan, ResEau, SECO and Water section initiatives. 
Budget Phase en cours Budget de la Suisse CHF    2’500’000 Budget suisse déjà attribué CHF    0 Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF    4’750’000 Projet total depuis la première phase Budget de la Suisse CHF   4’871’000 Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF   8’078’500
Phases du projet

Phase 2 15.06.2025 - 14.06.2027   (Active)

Phase 1 01.10.2020 - 31.03.2025   (Completed)