RTI's blended finance and WASH series

Supporting WASH infrastructure in India with Water for Women

Water for Women is partnering with Research Triangle Institute Global India (RTI) to enhance private sector participation in WASH, increase access to WASH and create WASH livelihoods.

In India, RTI supports the implementation of Water for Women. RTI's program seeks to enhance access to safe water and hygiene among the most vulnerable populations by increasing private sector participation in WASH. We developed this approach because WASH access in India is predominantly government-funded, and public funds alone are not adequate for India to achieve its objectives under United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6.  

Unfortunately, enhancing private sector engagement is easier said than done in India’s WASH ecosystem. Based on lessons learned in the climate change sector, we believe that blended finance represents a potential option to attract and scale-up private sector investment and engagement in the sector. 

To explore the potential of blended finance in WASH and provide recommendations based on our experience in India, this three-part blog series aims to:

1. In the first part, unearth reasons for limited private sector financing, esp. in WASH infrastructure, and if introducing blended finance may improve this outlook.
2. In the second part, list prevailing options in India for blended financing in WASH infrastructure projects and how these can be scaled up.
3. In the third part, assess reasons for limited blended finance in WASH programs, list prevailing examples for blended financing therein, and how these could be scaled up.

Change in mindset is required… The Government has to see private sectors as a partner in development and not just vendors.

Diane Jegam, Proparco