The project is funded by European Union under its Non State Actors in Development (NEPAL) Programme; and co-financed by UN-HABITAT's Water for Asian Cities Programme and ISLE of Man Government, UK.

Practical Action in partnership with Municipal Association of Nepal (MuAN), Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO); and Partner Municipalities and Small Towns under the Government of Nepal is implementing the project. The seven partner municipalities included in the project are Ratnanagar, Bharatpur, Ramgram, Siddharthanagar, Butwal in one cluster in Western Region; Tikapur and Gularia in mid-far Western Region and three small towns - Sunawal, Bardaghat and Kawasoti - which are potentially growing to become municipalities along the western highway corridor. 

SWASHTHA - Strengthening Water, Air, Sanitation and Hygiene Treasuring Health

Overall Objective:

To contribute to sustainable improvement in health and well being of vulnerable population especially, women and children residing in urban and peri-urban settlements of project municipalities and small towns.

Specific Objective:

To develop and promote integrated approaches by addressing major environmental health risks, such as indoor air quality, water quality, sanitation facilities, and hygiene behaviours to create healthy homes and benefit 30,000 women and children.

Project  Outcomes:

• Improved access to safe drinking water in project areas.
• Improved access to better sanitation facilities in project areas.
• Improved hygiene practices among 30,000 women and children.
• Improved indoor air quality standards in 10,000 HHs.
• Institutionalization of environmental health improvement measures through fostering          increased  partnerships between state, non-state and private sector actors.

Project Period:

The project starts from 2009 and ends on December 2012.