National WASH Coalition
The Bulgarian WASH Coalition is a dynamic group which aims to mobilize multiple stakeholders around a specific WASH problem or project. Partners include local and national stakeholders, non-governmental organizations (NGO), civil society organizations (CSOs), the media and international partner.
Focus
The coalition focuses on two problems: the lack of improved school sanitation, and the deteriorating rural sanitation infrastructure. All its work strongly aims to involve women, youth and the elderly, especially those of Roma origin.
Milestones and achievements
The activities of the coalition around rural and school sanitation couple local implementation and awareness-raising with national advocacy. Successes include:
- strengthening the coalition by holding regular meetings and conferences;
- raising awareness of sanitation and hygiene by celebrating global events such as World Water Day, the World’s Longest Toilet Queue, World Earth Day and World Environment Day;
- working with the media on WASH issues.
School sanitation
- advocating a specialized state programme targeting improved sanitation and hygiene education for rural schools, with a particular emphasis on mothers and children of Roma origin (in 2009);
- developing training material;
- running campaigns and events with school teachers and children;
- building and renovating school toilets.
Rural sanitation
- engaging communities in village sanitation projects;
- building demonstration ecosan latrines (ecosan technologies seek to use human waste as fertilizer and compost) in community centres and homes. The coalition has successfully encouraged communities to reuse organic waste from the latrines in agriculture to improve soil fertility;
- providing training in rural waste management.
News
- The coalition held a regional conference, “Women for Safe Sanitation and Clean Water in Europe in Transition and Central Asia,” from 6 to 8 July 2010 in the Valley of Roses, Bulgaria. It was supported by the Women for Water Partnership.
