Provide Clean Water & Sanitation in Bangladesh

Reporting Period: July 2025 – October 2025
Implementing Organization: Green Fund Initiative (GFI)
Project Location: Bangladesh

Overview

During the reporting period of July to October 2025, the Green Fund Initiative continued its efforts under the Water & Sanitation for Climate-Affected Communities project despite financial challenges. Although no new donations were received during this period, our team remained dedicated to serving vulnerable communities using limited internal resources. Small-scale community outreach, maintenance, and awareness activities were carried out to sustain project momentum and community engagement.

Key Activities (July–October 2025)

1. Maintenance of Water ATM System
The Water ATM system, established in northern Bangladesh, continues to operate successfully. Routine monitoring and basic maintenance were conducted by local volunteers to ensure uninterrupted access to safe drinking water. Community feedback remains positive, with families reporting improved health and reduced dependency on unsafe water sources.

2. Hygiene Awareness Sessions
Despite limited funding, GFI organized small community gatherings and door-to-door awareness visits focusing on:

• Handwashing and sanitation practices

• Safe household water storage

• Prevention of waterborne diseases

These sessions were facilitated by youth volunteers and local women leaders trained during the previous project phase.

3. Sanitation Support
GFI provided follow-up visits to households using the eco-friendly latrines installed earlier. Minor repairs and cleaning drives were conducted in collaboration with community members to maintain functionality and cleanliness.

4. Volunteer Mobilization
Local volunteers continued to play a vital role in sustaining activities. Their commitment ensured that the benefits of the project—especially access to safe water and improved hygiene—remained available to climate-affected families.

Challenges

• Lack of new funding: No donations were received during this period, which limited the scope of implementation and prevented scaling up activities.

• Rising maintenance costs: Sustaining the Water ATM system and community facilities requires ongoing technical and financial inputs.

• Extreme weather: Heavy rainfall and seasonal flooding disrupted mobility and delayed a few scheduled awareness sessions.

Community Impact

• Approximately 250 individuals continued to benefit from uninterrupted access to clean water through the Water ATM.

• 20 households received direct follow-up support on sanitation maintenance.

• Community members demonstrated strong ownership and responsibility for the facilities and hygiene practices introduced by the project.

Next Steps

• Seek new funding and partnerships to expand the Water ATM model to additional climate-vulnerable regions.

• Continue community engagement and hygiene education through volunteer networks.

• Explore low-cost maintenance models to ensure the long-term sustainability of the existing system.

Conclusion

Even in the absence of external funding, the Green Fund Initiative remains steadfast in its mission to support climate-affected communities in Bangladesh. By leveraging local partnerships and volunteer action, the project continues to make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable families. With renewed donor support, GFI aims to expand its impact and bring safe water and sanitation access to many more communities in need.

Links:

• Youtube Viedo

Progress Report: Water & Sanitation Project

Reporting Period: March 2025 – June 2025
Implementing Organization: Green Fund Initiative
Project Location: Bangladesh

Overview

Between March and June 2025, the Green Fund Initiative (GFI) has achieved a major milestone in its ongoing Water & Sanitation Project—the successful completion and activation of the Water ATM system in northern Bangladesh. This initiative continues to serve climate-affected communities by providing clean water access and improving sanitation infrastructure, particularly benefiting women, children, and marginalized populations.

Key Challenges Addressed

• Water Scarcity: Intensified by climate change, many areas in Bangladesh face salinity, drought, and erratic rainfall.
• Inadequate Sanitation: Rural households often lack basic sanitation facilities, contributing to public health risks.
• Limited Hygiene Awareness: Continued efforts are required to educate communities on hygiene, water conservation, and safe sanitation practices.

Progress Highlights (March–June 2025)

Water ATM Project – Completed

• Status: Installation and operationalization of the Water ATM system was successfully completed in May 2025.
• Technology: The system uses Reverse Osmosis (RO) purification and smart card access to provide safe, affordable drinking water.
• Impact: Over 250 community members now have consistent access to clean water, reducing reliance on contaminated sources and saving time for women and children.
• Partnerships: This achievement was made possible through strategic collaboration with GlobalGiving Foundation and Corteva.

Sanitation and Hygiene

• Eco-Friendly Latrines: Continued maintenance and usage support for previously installed removable latrines across climate-affected communities.
• Hygiene Training: Delivered additional training sessions on handwashing, toilet use, and household water management during community visits.

Community Impact

• Health: Noticeable improvements in reported health outcomes related to waterborne illnesses.
• Time Savings: Reduced travel time for water collection—saving approximately 1 hour per household per day.
• Empowerment: Local community members, especially women, are increasingly participating in water governance and hygiene promotion.

Next Steps / Future Plans

• Project Expansion: GFI plans to replicate the Water ATM model in coastal and salinity-prone regions.
• Sustainability: Establishing community management committees to oversee operation and maintenance of the Water ATM.
• Education: Scale up community engagement programs focused on water conservation, climate adaptation, and public health.

Conclusion

The March–June 2025 reporting period marks a significant chapter for the Green Fund Initiative’s Water & Sanitation Project, with the Water ATM system now fully operational and already transforming lives. GFI remains committed to advancing climate-resilient, community-driven solutions that ensure long-term access to safe water and improved sanitation in Bangladesh.

Links:

• Water ATM Project Video