In order to improve the sanitation situation in a sustainable way and at a feasible cost, more capacity in planning and designing sustainable systems is urgently needed. Sustainable sanitation approaches are cost effective, and environmentally as well as socially sound alternatives that can help to solve the pressing problems in respect to inadequate sanitation. The objective of such systems is to use as little resources as possible, and in return to produce hygienically safe and useful resources (fertilizer, water, energy) from human wastes wherever possible. This can improve the natural environment, lower risks for human health and contribute to better living conditions in a sustainable way.

The project activities and results will be achieved by looking beyond the project itself and linking closely with existing national sanitation policy and initiatives, as well as international partnerships and projects that target the local level. ACCESSanitation aims to make use of existing frameworks and projects to ensure that activities and results are embedded into national strategies and policy goals.

Principal Stages:

• Creation of an inventory on relevant national policies and strategies in target countries
• Identification of 10 cities in target countries to participate in the project
• National training courses with selected municipalities in target countries
• Three phases of local application including initial rapid assessment of the sanitation situation in participating cities, priority setting, development of action plan and implementation of solutions
• Regional knowledge exchange and follow-up workshops
• Final conference
• Publication and dissemination of project case studies