Global Sanitation Fund Takes First Steps Forward

Launched on 14 March 2008 by the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), shortly after confirmations of contributions from donors totaling more than $50 million, the Global Sanitation Fund (GSF) is taking its first concrete steps in Nepal, Madagascar and Uganda. Scoping work is under way in the above countries, discussions with the governments of Burkina Faso, Senegal and India are in process. The final country likely to be a part of Round 1 GSF funding is Pakistan.

The call for expressions of interest from potential Executing Agencies for these countries is scheduled for September - October 2008. WSSCC’s Steering Committee will make the selection the countries for Round 2 GSF funding known in March 2009.

The GSF is a pooled fund supporting national efforts to help poor people attain sustainable access to basic sanitation. To date donor commitments have been made by The Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Source: WSSCC Newsletter, June-Sept 2008