Assignment Name: A Study on Water and Sanitation Coverage and Exploring the Opportunities for Private Sector Investment in the Safe Water and Sanitation Sector in the 2 (Two) SFLP Pilot Upazilas

Country: Bangladesh

Client Name: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Strengthening Institutional Capacity for SDGs Achievement in Bangladesh (SC4SDG) was a multi-year initiative designed to support the Government of Bangladesh. This initiative was the successor to the “Support to Sustainable and Inclusive Planning (SSIP)” project and the “Engaging with Institutions (EI)” project, and it aimed to provide technical assistance in the formulation, implementation, localization, monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and outreach of SDGs in Bangladesh. UNDP had been a long-standing partner of the Government of Bangladesh in achieving global goals since the MDGs era. In previous interventions, UNDP primarily worked with the public sector; however, the breadth and depth of the 2030 Global Development Agenda necessitated the inclusion of non-state stakeholders to achieve the SDGs. This project aimed to extend beyond conventional partnerships with the government to include the private sector, NGOs, CSOs, think tanks, academia, and media, ensuring a ‘whole of society’ approach to attaining SDG goals and targets.

One of the key components of the project was the SDG Financing and Localization Platform (SFLP). This initiative, supported by the Local Government Division (LGD) of the Government of Bangladesh and implemented on a pilot basis since September 2018, aimed to promote SDG localization and encourage private sector engagement and investment in the SDG attainment process in the country. The objectives of the SFLP initiative were as follows:

• To increase the necessary awareness and commitment of local stakeholders for contributing to the overall SDG attainment process of the Bangladesh government.
• To create a conducive environment in the selected pilot areas for private sector engagement and investment in clean water, in partnership with various stakeholders, including District Administration, Local Government Institutions (LGIs), private sector actors, and NGOs.

The study was conducted as part of the SDG Financing and Localization Platform (SFLP) initiative of UNDP Bangladesh, implemented in partnership with the Local Government Division (LGD). The project aimed to assess water and sanitation coverage and identify pathways for private sector investment in the safe water and sanitation sector in Dacope Upazila (Khulna district) and Kurigram Sadar Upazila (Kurigram district)—two pilot areas for the SFLP program.

The study addressed critical challenges related to water supply, sanitation practices, and gaps in infrastructure in both urban and rural settings of the pilot areas. It focused on assessing the availability, accessibility, and quality of water sources, sanitation facilities, and existing service delivery models. In addition, the study explored opportunities for private sector engagement by analyzing the business environment, financing mechanisms, and stakeholder perceptions to promote sustainable WASH service delivery.

The study involved a comprehensive mixed-method approach, combining primary and secondary data collection. Key research areas included:

• Water supply coverage, infrastructure, and associated challenges.
• Sanitation practices, existing infrastructure, and faecal sludge management.
• Socio-economic and cultural factors influencing WASH services.
• Willingness and ability of communities to pay for improved WASH services.
• Opportunities for private sector involvement in water and sanitation, including viable business models.

The study provided Upazila-wise and Union-wise findings on the status of water and sanitation services, along with fact sheets highlighting gaps and opportunities. It also recommended strategies for enhancing private sector participation, fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships, and improving water and sanitation service delivery in alignment with SDG 6.

The project team delivered the following key activities and services:

Document Review and Inception Phase:

• Conducted a review of relevant national and international documents, including policies, existing studies, and WASH sector strategies.
• Prepared and submitted a detailed Inception Report, outlining the study methodology, sampling framework, data collection plan, and analytical approach.
• Designed and finalized the toolkit and tools (quantitative and qualitative) in consultation with stakeholders, ensuring accuracy and contextual relevance.
• Translated tools into Bangla for effective implementation.

Recruitment and Training of Data Enumerators:

• Recruited experienced data enumerators to carry out field data collection.
• Organized comprehensive training sessions for enumerators on the study objectives, ethical considerations, tools application, and digital data collection methods using KoBoToolbox.

Data Collection:

• Conducted 1,794 household surveys across Union and Paurashava levels in Dacope and Kurigram Sadar Upazilas, ensuring representation across socio-economic groups.
• Conducted 59 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with government officials, WASH service providers, private investors, and community leaders.
• Conducted 27 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with community members, including women and marginalized groups, to explore challenges and perceptions.
• Conducted Field observations of existing water supply infrastructure, sanitation facilities, and waste management systems.
• Submitted the data completion report, outlining data collection processes, challenges, and achievements.

Data Management and Analysis:

• Verified, cleaned, and processed collected data to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Analyzed quantitative and qualitative data to identify service gaps, socio-economic barriers, and opportunities for private sector engagement.
• Assessed water and sanitation coverage using JMP service ladders and conducted a SWOT analysis to identify opportunities for private sector engagement
• Mapped water and sanitation infrastructure using GIS tools to visualize service coverage and priority intervention areas.

Report Preparation and Submission:

• Prepared and submitted two Upazila-specific reports (Dacope and Kurigram Sadar), including detailed findings and Union-level fact sheets summarizing key water and sanitation indicators and investment opportunities.
• Developed and submitted the final report in both professional In-Design format and a comprehensive slide deck presentation for stakeholders.

Findings Dissemination and Presentation:

• Delivered a presentation of findings to key stakeholders, including UNDP, LGD, and local government authorities, to validate results and gather feedback.
• Highlighted actionable recommendations for fostering private sector investment, improving WASH governance, and enhancing service delivery models to ensure sustainability and inclusivity.

This baseline study successfully established a robust evidence base for understanding water and sanitation service gaps and identified strategic opportunities for private sector participation in achieving sustainable and inclusive WASH outcomes in Dacope and Kurigram Sadar Upazilas under the SFLP initiative.