Training Block-Level Coordinators: A Hands-On Experience at SPM NIWAS

 

Introduction

India has come a long way in improving water and sanitation under the Swachh Bharat Mission. But the real challenge? Making sure these efforts don’t just stop but keep growing stronger. That’s where a dedicated training institute like the Syama Prasad Mookerjee National Institute of Water and Sanitation (SPM NIWAS) comes in—to equip field workers with the right skills to implement sanitation programs effectively.

With the launch of the Light House Initiative (LHI) Phase II across 14 states, one crucial step was to prepare Swachhta Sathis for their role in making sanitation programs a success at the grassroots level. To make this happen, India Sanitation Coalition, in collaboration with SPM NIWAS, organized an immersive four-day training program from December 17–20, 2024. This training blended technical expertise with real-world experiences to ensure that the Swachhta Sathis were fully equipped to create the Lighthouse blocks in their respective geographies.

 

 

A Curriculum Designed for Real-World Impact

The training was carefully crafted to transform Block-Level Coordinators into Swachhta Sathis, guiding them in turning their respective blocks into Lighthouse Blocks. The program wasn’t just about theory—it provided hands-on exposure to real-life sanitation solutions.

 

What Did the Training Cover?

Regulatory Know-How: Staying compliant is key! Experts guided participants through critical sanitation regulations, including the Solid Waste Management Rules (2016) and the amended Plastic Waste Management Rules (2022)

Soft Skills for Community Engagement: Beyond technical knowledge, the program emphasized behavior change communication (BCC) and stakeholder engagement. Md. Ishfaq, Advisor at SPM NIWAS, led a session on Information, Education, and Communication (IEC), highlighting the role of peer learning in driving long-term impact.

Understanding the Light House Initiative: On Day 2, Natasha Patel, CEO of India Sanitation Coalition, broke down the core objectives of the LHI. She explained how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds could be integrated for infrastructure development and how model ODF+ villages could serve as blueprints for success.

Practical Learning in Sanitation Solutions: Swachhta Sathis explored practical waste management solutions, including Faecal Sludge Management (FSM), wet waste processing, and Plastic Waste Management (PWM). A field visit to Digambarpur on Day 3 brought these concepts to life, showing the technologies in action.

Panel Discussion: On Day-4 was an expert led panel discussion where Dr. Sanjeev Shekhar Jha emphasized the importance of leveraging corporate support to scale sanitation solutions, developing innovative financing models, and ensuring that the private sector plays a key role in long-term sanitation success. Sujoy Majumdar from UNICEF, addressed challenges related to ODF status and the hurdles in maintaining it. Sarabjit, Coordinator from Punjab state, presented successful sanitation efforts undertaken in the state of Punjab. Sasanka Velidandla, provided insights on expediting FSM implementation across the country. Tapas Gupta shared his experience in O&M for FSM solutions.

 

 

Collaborative Problem-Solving: Learning from real challenges, Swachhta Sathis participated in interactive brainstorming sessions where they tackled common field issues with the guidance of subject matter experts.

Lighthouse Initiative Reporting & Expectations: Sanjay Pandey and Sukriti Makkar conducted a session in the end of training on reporting mechanisms and expectations from Swachhta Sathis after this training.

Peer Learning Support: A key aspect of the training was peer learning amongst the Swachhta Sathis. Our corporate partner ITC Limited, contributed both as a resource organization and by sharing best practices in sanitation. Two Swachhta Sathis from ITC led important sessions:

• On Day-1 Swachhta Sathi, Pamish Kumar presented on Community-led waste management strategies, focusing on Waste Collectors Well Being program to engage workforce and communities in sustainable waste management in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh.
• On Day-2 Swachhta Sathi, Manoj led a session on The Role of Self-Help Groups in sanitation initiatives, highlighting how SHGs in Mysuru have played a critical role in driving sanitation efforts at the grassroots level.

Making Learning Engaging and Interactive

To ensure maximum retention and practical application, the training included:

Hands-on Activities: Hands-on activities provided direct interaction with sanitation technologies, enabling Swachhta Sathis to understand their applications.

Group Discussions: Collaborative discussions allowed Swachhta Sathis to share experiences, exchange ideas, and learn from diverse perspectives.

Live Demonstrations: Seeing sanitation solutions in action helped bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and actual implementation.

 

Building a Skilled Workforce for Sanitation Success

By the end of the four-day program, Swachhta Sathis walked away not just with knowledge but with practical skills needed to support in creating Lighthouse blocks. This hands-on training at SPM NIWAS reinforced the need for dedicated learning spaces to strengthen the workforce in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector.