Project Description:

The “Up scaling Faridpur city best practices & continued support in Faridpur City, Bangladesh” project underwent a comprehensive final evaluation by Dm WATCH. The core outcomes of the project include the integration of pit emptier-led inclusive business models for sustainable Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) in two national urban programs and the establishment of partnerships with major manufacturers for the commercialization of two mechanical emptying technologies for sludge transportation. Furthermore, the initiative fortified a city-wide PPP-led FSM Model in Faridpur, exemplifying the field implementation of an advanced FSM Institutional and Regulatory Framework. 

The evaluation’s objectives spanned a wide array of aspects, from gauging knowledge, attitude, and practice to assessing the viability and commercialization of pit-emptying technologies. A particular emphasis was on gender equity, social inclusion, and the broader socio-economic ramifications of the project. Additionally, the assessment delved into the institutional capacity of both local municipalities and national departments concerning FSM, examining the effectiveness of their joint investments in this sector. 

The project’s strategies encompassed policy advocacy, capacity building, technology development, and the privatization and commercialization of related technologies to achieve the specified outcomes. Employing a mixed-method approach, the evaluation leveraged 1150 Household Surveys, 47 Key Informant Interviews, 10 Focus Group Discussions, and 115 Physical Observations. The JMP ladder provided insights into the sanitation and water service status, while five shit-flow diagrams were crafted to visualize the state of FSM in the targeted areas.