Initiative Aims to Combat Adverse Health Effects Caused by Lack of Clean Water and Sanitation in Rural Areas
Rural communities across the nine provinces of the Solomon Islands face adverse health problems caused by a lack of access to clean water, proper sanitation, and hygiene practices. In response to this pressing issue, UNDP’s Provincial Governance Service Delivery (PGSD) project with the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Provincial Governance and Institutional Strengthening, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of
Women and the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination, gathered in Honiara to announce the launch of the Rural WASH Changemakers Awards.
The launch joined the many celebrations of World Water Day in Solomon Islands that this year commemorates the date under the theme: Water for Peace!
Despite efforts to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, Solomon Islands continue to struggle with access disparities, particularly in rural areas. Statistics reveal a concerning trend with access to basic water services decreasing and slow progress in sanitation coverage. Open defecation remains prevalent, indicating the challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6.2 by 2030.
Recognizing the urgency of addressing these challenges, the Rural WASH Changemakers Awards aim to highlight the importance of WASH service delivery and celebrate individuals and organizations making significant contributions to improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.
The awards seek to:
Bring attention to WASH service delivery as a critical priority in the Solomon
Islands’ development agenda.
Identify and celebrate the contributions of changemakers, champions, innovators, and
vanguards in the field of WASH.
Raise public awareness and support for future interventions to improve WASH
coverage and services.
Highlight success stories and challenges faced in improving WASH services.
Influence policymakers and key stakeholders to adopt a comprehensive approach to
achieving WASH goals.
Promote peer learning and collaboration through a Community of Practice.
Award Details
The Rural WASH Changemakers Awards will recognize excellence in 6 categories, including safe drinking water, sanitation, hygiene, institutional, inclusive development and media coverage. Each category seeks champions from various sectors, including civil society organizations, social entrepreneurs, private companies, the public sector, the community, non-profit organizations or any other WASH service delivery providers. Winners will receive a trophy, a certificate, and a prize of SBD 15,000.
Award Categories
- WASH Award Safe Drinking Water
- WASH Award Sanitation
- WASH Award Hygiene
- WASH Award at Institutions
- WASH Award Inclusive Development
- WASH Media Award
Eligibility Criteria
Individuals, organizations, and entities involved in Rural WASH initiatives are encouraged to apply or be nominated. Submission will be in a storytelling format.
Selection Process
A panel of judges comprising technical experts from relevant ministries, WHO, UNICEF, and UNDP will evaluate submissions based on criteria such as achievement impact, innovation, community-led solutions, and evidence of success. Submission Details Applications should be submitted via email to registry.sb@undp.org or by post to the UNDP Solomon Islands Office. The deadline for submissions is September 30, 2024. Awards will be presented at an event on World Toilet Day, November 19, 2024, in Honiara.
