Changing Systems, Changing Lives: A Journey Toward Sustainable WASH for All
Access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of health, dignity, and sustainable development. Yet, billions of people around the world still lack these essential services, with women, girls, and marginalized communities often bearing the greatest burden. The WASH SDG Programme (2017–2024), implemented by the Netherlands WASH SDG Consortium led by Simavi, Plan International, and SNV set out to address this challenge by driving systems change in seven countries: Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Nepal, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
This report, "Changing Systems, Changing Lives," shares the stories, achievements, and lessons learned from a transformative journey. Over seven years, the programme worked to ensure sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient WASH services for the most vulnerable, reaching over 450,000 people with safe drinking water, 2 million with improved sanitation, and 1.6 million with better hygiene practices. But beyond the numbers, this initiative focused on strengthening local systems, empowering communities, and fostering governance that outlasts project timelines.
Through three key pathways behavior change, improved service provision, and strengthened governance the WASH SDG Programme demonstrated that lasting impact is possible when communities, governments, and partners collaborate. From breaking taboos around menstruation in Indonesia to pioneering affordable sanitation solutions in Zambia, from empowering women leaders in Bangladesh to building climate resilience in Uganda, the programme proved that systems change is not just an aspiration it is a reality.
As you explore this report, you will discover how local ownership, gender equality, and social inclusion were placed at the heart of every intervention. You will see how innovative approaches, such as digital self-monitoring tools, scheduled desludging, and gender-transformative policies, created ripple effects that extended far beyond direct beneficiaries. And you will learn how partnerships with governments, civil society, and the private sector ensured that progress was not only achieved but sustained.
The WASH SDG Programme was more than a project it was a movement toward equity, resilience, and dignity. The insights and recommendations shared here are a call to action for policymakers, practitioners, and advocates worldwide. True change requires commitment, collaboration, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
We invite you to read and reflect on the lessons learnt from this programme.
Enter the report to explore how systems change is transforming lives.
