As we move further into 2025, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you—our partners, supporters, and communities—who continue to drive our mission forward.
This year, we are deepening our impact by scaling sustainable water and sanitation solutions, strengthening local leadership, and fostering innovative collaborations.
In the last three months, we have successfully –
- Expanded production and sale of organic fertilising products from our FSTP plants
- Held a state level consultation on Localisation of SDG 6
- Catalysed the progress under each of the three states through our work with Technical Support Unit (TSU)
- Pushed for more innovative and creative solutions in WASH
The momentum we built in 2024 has set the stage for even greater progress, ensuring that access to clean water and sanitation remains a reality and not just a goal. We continue to work harbouring our core values of integrity and courage to amplify all voice and promote environmental stewardship for collective transformation. With your continued support, we are confident that the year 2025 will be a year of transformation and resilience. Let’s keep working together to create lasting change for the communities we serve.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Regards,
Bishwadeep Ghose
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Updates from West Bengal
State level Consultation on LSDG 6 –
On 31st January 2025, A state level consultation on Localisation of SDG 6 was held in Holiday Inn, Kolkata, West Bengal. The consultation was attended by government officials, experts from the WASH sector and academicians to have a fruitful dialogue on ways to achieve LSDG 6.
Kick-off workshop for Sundarbans Learning Alliance –
An alliance meeting was organized with Water for People, PRASARI, AKVO, and Oak Foundation-supported partners in the Sundarbans to establish a collaborative platform. The discussion focused on defining how the alliance will function, planning its official launch, and identifying key issues to address.
Jal Jeevan Mission Functionality and Water User Committee Formation at Block Level –
Block level meetings were held across 19 blocks of Birbhum district from 4th to 12th February 2025. These meetings are aimed to strengthen the functioning of Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) as well as facilitate the formation of Water User Committees (WUCs) under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and other water supply schemes. Discussions focused on enhancing community participation, ensuring inclusive representation, and improving water governance.
Updates From Bihar
Strengthening Rural Water Supply through Dastak Abhiyan
As part of Dastak Abhiyan, a door-to-door campaign was conducted in Sandesh, Khandaul, and Chillaus Gram Panchayats of Sandesh Block, Bhojpur district. Core members, including WIMC members, sanitation supervisors, SHG members, Anganwadi workers, and Sahiyas, actively engaged in carrying out the campaign with households to make the rural piped water supply system effective. The campaign covered reaching out to 1500 households in 120 wards across the above-mentioned three-gram panchayats, spreading awareness on water conservation, system maintenance, and grievance redressal.
GPDP Training-cum-Workshop –
Water For People, in collaboration with the Panchayati Raj Department, facilitated in organizing the GPDP Training-cum-Workshop in Nalanda district. The training is aimed at empowering the block level officers and PRI members on the importance of participatory decentralised planning exercise. The training focused on the LSDG thematic areas covering LSDG 4 on Water Sufficient Villages, LSDG 5 on Clean & Green Villages as well as on integration of WASH in the planning exercise.
Workshop on Pond Rejuvenation –
A two-day Workshop on Pond Rejuvenation was held in Rajgir, Nalanda on 10–11 February 2025, focusing on community-led water conservation. A 12-member team from Water For People participated to build capacities on sustainable pond restoration and climate resilience. This initiative supports ongoing efforts to strengthen water security in Bihar and lays the foundation for future community-based interventions.
Updates from Maharashtra
Exposure visit of Zilla Parishad Engineers –
An exposure visit was organized for 26 Zilla Parishad Engineers from the Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) cell to Satara and Karad blocks, providing hands-on insights into innovative structures such as the Tiger Bio-Filter, Vermi Compost Plant, Water Treatment Plant, and Fecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP). The visit aimed to build technical understanding and inspire replication of these models in other parts of Amravati district.
Addressing water shortages and building climate resilient agriculture through scientific planning under 3M –
To address water shortages and promote climate-resilient agriculture, Water For People, with support from 3M, implemented a scientifically planned intervention in Kendur Block of Pune district. The project led to the development of 25 sunken ponds, 8 gabion structures, and 66 loose boulder structures for soil and water conservation. Additionally, 150 units of LEISA techniques using solar and sticky traps were introduced, and 57 farmers received mini sprinkler sets to support their farming practices.
Updates from Odisha
Stakeholder Consultation Meeting with ITC –
A series of Stakeholder Consultation Meetings were held in Jatni & Khordha blocks in Khordha district. The meetings were attended by the officials of ITC Social Investments Programme including co-partners. During the visit, project progress was monitored. Discussions took place on the geographical expansion of coverage and scope for community development program integrating WASH component working together with public institutions.
Block-level Operation & Maintenance (O&M) workshop
A block-level workshop on Operation & Maintenance (O&M) of WASH facilities in public institutions was organized in Jatni block of Khordha district, bringing together School Head Teachers and ICDS Functionaries. The workshop focused on addressing O&M challenges and promoting integration of O&M planning into the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP), while emphasizing the importance of community engagement for sustainable WASH service delivery.
Updates from Assam
Government Stakeholders visit in Kamrup –
Mr Bhupen Bhattacharyya, District Social Welfare Officer of Kamrup, visited Bhurapara AWC and 240 Soru Amudpur AWC to review progress under the Child-Friendly AWC initiative. His visit emphasized the importance of providing children with a clean, safe, and healthy learning environment, with notable improvements in sanitation, hygiene, and infrastructure. This initiative is part of Water For People’s ongoing efforts in Kamrup district, supported by ITC, to strengthen WASH services in public institutions.
Change through art –
Under the Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) initiative of the Assam Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP) WASH Project, 32 impactful street plays were conducted across three tea estates comprising of Behora, Bokiyal, and Borbam Tea Estates. These interactive performances successfully engaged 3,634 community members, fostering awareness on crucial WASH practices.
Updates from Jharkhand
Water, Sanitation, Faecal Sludge Management, and Solid Liquid Waste Management –
The Entrepreneurship Development Program in Pakur, Jharkhand, has trained about 30 new and existing entrepreneurs, empowering them to build sustainable sanitation and waste management enterprises. Infrastructure enhancements such as toilet construction, renovation, and improved pit-emptying services were facilitated in Pakur and Maheshpur blocks, establishing a stronger supply chain for faecal sludge management.
From the field
Madina Khatoon: Breaking Barriers in Water Governance
In Muzaffarpur’s Mishrauliya Gram Panchayat, Sakra Block, Madina Khatoon stands out as one of the few female Anurakshaks responsible for ensuring clean water delivery under Bihar’s Har Ghar Nal se Jal scheme. Facing challenges such as delayed payments and disputes over tariff collection, she has nonetheless achieved an impressive 90% tariff compliance—among the highest in the district. Her determination and leadership highlight the vital role women can play in governance and technical roles, inspiring a more inclusive and equitable approach to rural development.
Inspiring change, one drop at a time!
Transforming Waste into Wealth: FSTP’s Impact on Farming
In a remarkable shift towards sustainable agriculture, Self-Help Group (SHG) women have been using vermicompost and vermiwash from our Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) to cultivate vegetables — and the results speak for themselves.
They proudly shared the multiple benefits covering higher productivity, reduced input costs, improved soil and human health, and even lower water usage. Their success reaffirms the transformative potential of our initiative, aligning seamlessly with sustainability goals.
From waste to nourishment, this is sanitation driving agriculture forward!
Organizational Updates:
Global CEO visits India – Mark Duey, Global CEO of Water For People, undertook a nine-day visit to India from 19th to 27th February 2025. During the visit, he travelled Water For People India’s projects across three states covering Bihar, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. He interacted with community members, program partners, and government officials to understand the progress of ongoing initiatives and gain firsthand insights into the water and sanitation landscape in the country.
Panelist at ET Now Global Business Summit – Bishwadeep Ghose, Country Director of Water For People India, participated as a panelist at the Times Now Global Sustainability Alliance Curtain Raiser during the ET NOW Global Business Summit 2025, held on 14th February 2025 at the Taj Palace, New Delhi. The panel, themed “Vision for a Sustainable 2050: Accelerating Progress,” brought together thought leaders to discuss pathways for driving sustainable development and long-term impact.
International Women’s Day Celebrations – Water For People celebrated International Women’s Day across all its program geographies on 8th March 2025 honoring remarkable contributions of women in WASH sector. The celebrations highlighted the critical role that women play in managing and improving access to clean water and sanitation. Events included community gatherings, recognition of efforts and ceremonies for women leading WASH initiatives reinforcing the message that women are key to building resilient and healthy communities.
World water day celebration – On March 21, 2025, the Manav Rachna Centre for Advanced Water Technology and Management, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS), in collaboration with Water For People India, organized an event celebrating World Water Day at the premises of Manav Rachna University in Faridabad, Haryana. The event focused on the theme of Glacier Preservation and featured keynote addresses by Prof. Alan E. Fryar from the Department of Earth & Environmental Science, University of Kentucky, USA; Dr. Asokan, Member (HQ) of the Central Ground Water Board; and Mr. Suresh Babu SV, Senior Director at the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF). Attendees included representatives from NGOs, government bodies, and students and professors from Manav Rachna University, the University of Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.
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