Community-led Accelerated WASH IV

New water taps and latrines only improve health outcomes if hygiene behaviours evolve alongside them.🗣️✨That is why COWASH IV primarily focuses on social behavioural change alongside its infrastructure construction. To achieve this, among other efforts, uses a dedicated network of volunteer Community Conversation Facilitators.

Here is how these grassroots dialogues drive permanent behavioural change:

🔹 COWASH trains local volunteers from the community to form and lead group discussions in their villages focusing on improving sanitation and hygiene practices.👥

🔹 Facilitators host regular weekly or biweekly group discussions where families openly address sensitive topics like proper handwashing timing, safe water storage, and household sanitation habits. 🗓️

🔹 Rather than being directed by outsiders, community members identify gaps in their practices and collectively agree on corrective measures.🗒️

🔹 Because encouragement come directly from neighbours, the adoption of safe WASH habits becomes the new cultural norm.🏘️

Real change starts with a conversation.💬

📢 COWASH IV Quarterly Newsletter Is Here!

Check out the 10th issue of our Quarterly Newsletter, highlighting key milestones achieved from April to June 2026. This edition focuses on community-driven sustainability, partnerships and project progress across rural Ethiopia. 📰

⬇️ Here is a look at the main topics covered in this issue:

🔹 Women in Substantive WASH Governance - Read about the structural shift occurring as women transition into primary leadership roles within , and Committees across our project Woreds.🤵‍♀️

🔹 The Power of Community Contributions – Under our Community-Managed Project ( ) approach, rural communities act as active owners and administrators rather than passive recipients. Discover how local contribution is driving long-term sustainability.🏘️

🔹 MHM Intervention Impact Assessment – Our team conducted a qualitative assessment between December 2025 and April 2026 across the Sidama, Central Ethiopia, and Oromia regions. Learn how dedicated Menstrual Hygiene Management ( ) centers are transforming school attendance and restoring dignity.🏫

🔹 Financial Mobilization via Savings and Loan Associations (SLAs) – To bridge local credit gaps, community-managed SLAs are empowering households to independently fund their own sanitation facilities. Read about their accelerating growth over the years. 💰

🔹 Multi-Sectoral Partnerships and Community Conversations – Check out the progress of our partnership with the Max Foundation to integrate WASH with nutrition, alongside the expansion of our village-level Community Conversation initiative. 🥗 👥

🔗 Read the full newsletter here: https://cowash.org/cowash-iv-quarterly-newsletter-issue-10/

🌐To learn more about our work: cowash.org

COWASH IV Quarterly Newsletter Issue 10 – COWASH