To unpack the Call to Action, a definite Action Plan/ Roadmap needed to be developed in consultation with stakeholders, for final submission to central government (MoPR and MoJS-DDWS); as well as to state governments. For this, a two-day workshop was organized with relevant
stakeholders representing NIRDPR, UNICEF, WaterAid and other development partners and NGOs/CSOs in New Delhi, on 02-03 August 2022. FINISH Society was one of the participants at this workshop.

The objective was to unpack the Call-to-Action recommendations and identify implementable recommendations that need further focus at various levels. The idea was to prepare an Action Plan for submission to central and state governments, and range of stakeholders at various levels, on suggested Actions and interventions to achieve WASH outcomes for the rural communities. To devise ways to strengthen the capacity of local self-governments (PRIs), in ensuring the provision of high quality, affordable and sustainable WASH systems and services to the population in rural areas.

The NIRDPR in partnership with UNICEF, WaterAid and other development partners had conducted a 3-day National WASH Conclave during February 23-25, 2022. The subject of the conclave was: WASH Forward: Advancing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Panchayats. Over 3000 participants including representatives from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, officials from the state and district governments, professionals and practitioners working in WASH sector, and Gram Panchayat representatives participated in this conclave. The deliberations of each session fed into a Conclave’s ‘Call to Action’, that was released for advancing WASH in Panchayats. The workshop was attended by 25 participants from NIRDPR, UNICEF, WaterAid, FINISH Society and other sector partners. Ministries of Jal Shakti and Panchayati Raj representatives also participated to jointly draft a plan of action for governments and other stakeholders that shall help in advancing WASH in Panchayats.