For 2023 the Water+ team presents the Annual Innovation in Sanitation award to the CARE Rwanda Isoko y’Ubuzima team and its partners. In 2023, they helped 30,000 people gain access to toilets in their homes. The Isoko y’Ubuzima project implements a market-based approach to sanitation to support the Government of Rwanda’s sanitation goals to increase the purchase and sustained use of toilets and handwashing facilities. A key component of the project has been the promotion of Gender, Equality, and Social Inclusion (GESI). The project team works with sanitation sales agents and community members to promote shared decision-making and household tasks around water, sanitation and hygiene. Read more about the work of Isoko y’Ubuzima in the brief below.
The Sanchay Sathi mobile application represents a significant advancement in the digital empowerment of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) in Bangladesh. Focused on the challenging environments of the char and haor regions, the app supports over 2000 VSLA groups, aiding in financial inclusion and economic enhancement through digital record-keeping and management. Read More
This brief discusses the Commonlands initiative in Uganda, which aims to modernize land rights and financial accessibility for rural communities. By leveraging digital tools and community-based verification systems, the program seeks to enhance land security and provide access to credit, empowering marginalized groups, particularly women. Read More
This brief highlights CARE Sierra Leone's partnership with MiKashBoks to enhance the efficiency and security of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) through digital tools. The initiative focuses on improving financial management, digital literacy, and secure transactions, particularly benefiting women in rural communities by transitioning from manual to digital financial practices. Read More