What works at scale? : distilling the critical success factors for scaling up rural sanitation : proceedings of the Knowledge Sharing Forum, February 2014, Jaipur, India

The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India, in collaboration with the Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) of the World Bank, assembled policy makers, scholars and practitioners from 12 Indian States and 6 countries in Asia and Africa in Jaipur, India, for the Knowledge Sharing Forum entitled "What works at scale? Distilling critical success factors for scaling up rural sanitation". Based on 34 presentations (full text not included in the report), breakout group discussions and final deliberations, the participants analysed in detail many issues, including robust implementation and sustained outcomes at scale, that are critical for achieving success in sanitation programmes.

A consensus emerged at the Forum that achieving the desired results depends on strong commitment by all the States and Districts to empower communities to take a leadership role in the transition to open defecation-free and clean environment status. Two other strategic elements were identified at the Forum for scaling up sanitation throughout the country: a strong enabling environment with clear and systematic strategies and the creation of institutional structures dedicated solely to sanitation, especially at the district and block levels. It was agreed, for example, that the enabling environment definitely needed to include capacity building and effective and timely monitoring at all levels. It was also vital to ensure convergence between different programmes.

This report summarises the Forum discussions under 4 thematic headings:

1. Demand creation and behavior change communication
2. Supply chain to support demand
3. Systematic implementation: what local governments do
4. Strong institutions and an enabling environment