Scaling-up improved sanitation – Bridging Phase Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF)

Project completed

Investments in Sanitation, Hygiene and Menstrual Health are crucial to achieving the SDGs. The recently launched and UN-led Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF) aims to fill a gaping void in the international response to the sanitation, hygiene and menstrual health crisis. With this project, Switzerland supports the SHF in its operational set-up, starting country readiness work, resource mobilization and to become operational by early 2022

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Global
Water
Health
Gender
Water sanitation
Health systems strengthening
Women’s equality organisations and institutions
01.05.2021 - 28.02.2023
CHF  980’000
Background The primary sector is sanitation and hygiene (SDG 6.2) with strong inputs to education, health, gender equality and links to economic empowerment      
Objectives Sustainable Development Goal 6.2. By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of the most vulnerable women and girls and those most left most behind. 
Target groups The Fund recognizes that massive inequalities in access to sanitation, hygiene and Menstrual Health, and that marginalized and vulnerable populations, women and girls are disproportionately affected. The Fund intends to invest in reducing these inequalities by specifically targeting those countries, and within them the populations left most behind and population living in geographical areas with the highest burden, yet least ability to respond.
Medium-term outcomes

1.     Successful operational start-up of SHF is ensured

2.     Country readiness is strengthened for SHF operations to start

3.     Driving innovation in finance and climate resilience in sanitation and
        hygiene 

4.     Sanitation and hygiene is well integrated into the global covid response

5.     Resource mobilisation is ensured to sustain SHF

6.     SHF governance structure is established 

Results

Expected results:  

1.     A viable funding pipeline is in place ensuring that SHF is funded and viable. 

2.     Country readiness plans are in place for the first SHF countries so that first
        investments can be made when programme funding comes.

3.     A governance structure is in place and operational.

4.     The core team for SHF is appointed and operations manual approved.

5.     SHF is actively engaging in Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) discussions and
        ensuring sanitation and hygiene is incorporated into the global response. 

6.     A clearly defined strategy for private sector engagement is established.  


Results from previous phases:   This is a bridging phase from the Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) to SHF. The lessons learnt from WSSCC (and the Global Sanitation Fund) are being captured in a comprehensive document and will be applied to the SHF. Remark: the business model for the SHF is very different (country centered approach) to previous work but the relevant lessons learnt about country engagement and delivery will be fully applied to SHF.  


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
Private sector
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • Swiss Private Sector


Coordination with other projects and actors

UN Water (SHF being part of the UN family)

UNICEF and WHO, Sanitation and Water for

All and the Toilet Board coalition  

Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    980’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    966’083
Project phases Phase 4 01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026   (Current phase)

Phase 3 01.05.2021 - 28.02.2023   (Completed)

Phase 2 01.01.2018 - 31.12.2021   (Completed) Phase 1 01.01.2016 - 31.12.2017   (Completed)