ENTERPRISE IN WASH

‘Enterprise in WASH’ is a research initiative focused on the role of small-scale enterprises, emerging as important players in sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) service delivery for the poor.

The first phase of research (2013-2016) focused on the role of private and social enterprises in Indonesia, Vietnam and Timor-Leste. It included:

• a systematic review of evidence to date
• studies on the dynamics and key influences on private sector roles in the three country contexts
• value chain studies for sanitation in remote, rural contexts
• studies on motivators, drivers and barriers for enterprises
• equity study for private water enterprises.

This phase was funded through the Australian Government’s Australian Development Research Awards Scheme (ADRAS) through the Australian Civil Society WASH Fund (2013-2016).

On the basis of this research, learning briefs for Civil Society Organisations were produced as well as other research outputs.

The second phase (2016 – 2018) looks at three further dimensions of enterprise engagement, and involves engagement in Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Vanuatu and Sierra Leone:

• gender and entrepreneurship
• associations and other business support mechanisms
• cost structures for private water enterprises
• entrepreneurship and rural water supply sustainability