Date: 14 September 2023
SIGMA Foundation was engaged by the PHED West Bengal to be the NGO Contractor under the Asian Development Bank (ADB) assisted WBDWSIP for the district of Bankura. The period of engagement was from June 2019 to December 2022 and the project value was around Rs 1.41 crore.
SIGMA Foundation has successfully prepared and implemented the CAPP (Community Awareness and Participation Plan) and GESI (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion) Plan, which included primary survey and analysis of data. For generating community awareness on the project and associated issues related to water, extensive IEC materials were developed and disseminated. VWSCs (Village Water & Sanitation Committees) were established and made functional in all the 31 GPs of the 4 blocks covered under the project. Training modules were prepared for building capacity of the GP/VWSC functionaries, community members, school students. Training of 478 GP members (with 42.2% female participation) were conducted on AMSDF (Asset Management Service Delivery Framework). 418 VWSC members were oriented amongst which 51.7% were female participants and 38.1% belonged to vulnerable section. Leadership and livelihood training was imparted to 500 community members (49.6% female). A total of 9,173 community members were reached through 124 Master Trainers and awareness was generated on water conservation, demand management and WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene). Training programme on climate change on water conservation was conducted in 31 schools, one from each of the 31 GPs, in which 1240 students (45% girls) participated.
The first Water Security & Safety Plan (WSSP) of the country was prepared for Brahmandiha GP of Indpur block by the experts of SIGMA Foundation under this project. The WSSP was presented before a global audience through a virtual platform in the first E market place event organized by ADB in 2021. SIGMA Foundation got the “Certificate of Appreciation” from ADB Manila for this achievement.
Procedures were developed for giving house connection and day to day operation and preventive and breakdown maintenance. Support was also extended for the Smart Water Management and setting up Customer Care Centres at the GP offices.
The draft and final report was submitted as per schedule.