Financial Inclusion Improves Sanitation And Health Society

Promoting improved water, sanitation, and hygiene through inclusive WASH programmes, FINISH Society empowers marginalized rural and peri-urban communities with education, financing, and technological support for enhanced sanitation systems. Collaborating with microfinance institutions and implementation partners, FINISH has facilitated over 1.2 million household toilets across 12 states in India, fostering awareness and demand for safe sanitation. Rooted in the principles of SBM-G Phase II guidelines, the society strives for universal access to sanitation, receiving support from corporates, Government, and aid agencies in its mission to create lasting health and environmental impacts.

Recognizing the pivotal role of educational institutions as conduits to communities through children and educators, FINISH Society has developed its WASH in Schools Programme. With a focus on school-led total sanitation, the programme aims to enhance access to water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities within schools while fostering behavioural change through communication, capacity building, and maintenance training. Contextually tailored to each school, the initiative creates an environment conducive to learning by providing functional WASH infrastructure and effective hygiene education. This approach not only improves attendance rates, particularly among girls, but also ensures sustainability through maintenance provisions and additional components like life skills education, menstrual hygiene management, and health education.

FINISH Society addresses the pressing issue of inadequate solid waste management, driven by India's growing population and urbanization. It seeks practical solutions, emphasizing social acceptance, institutional alignment, and commercial viability. With an eye on a circular economy, the organisation involves stakeholders, empowers the informal sector, and collaborates with local Governments. Its approach prioritizes effective waste management models that are scalable and contribute to a healthier environment.

FINISH Society has a well-recognized approach to training and capacity building, evidenced by its appointment as a Key Resource Centre for sanitation by the Government of India. Collaborating with entities like UNICEF and WASTE, it works closely with state Governments to accelerate ODF outcomes and enhance sanitation processes. The team receives regular training from FINISH master trainers and external organisations such as UNICEF, GIZ, and 3R Waste Foundation. This equips it with knowledge spanning health, sanitation, waste management, and technical aspects of toilet construction, ensuring it stays updated on evolving trends. Furthermore, FINISH Society extends its expertise beyond India, providing capacity-building support to teams in Kenya and Bangladesh, demonstrating its commitment to fostering knowledge exchange and capacity enhancement on sanitation and waste management.

FINISH Society is dedicated to enhancing skills and livelihoods through various capacity-building initiatives. These programmes target masons, sanitation workers, waste management personnel, and entrepreneurs, aiming to strengthen their skills and subsequently improve their income opportunities. The organisation's livelihood efforts extend to fostering small enterprises, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), federations, and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) engaged in diverse sectors such as masonry, sanitation and hygiene, recycling, and food processing. These efforts reflect FINISH Society's commitment to equipping individuals with valuable skills for sustainable livelihoods and entrepreneurship.

FINISH Society has extended its work to include research and studies in WASH and related domains since 2012. Its knowledge management approach involves collecting, analyzing, evaluating, and sharing insights for broader interdisciplinary applications. Collaborating closely with stakeholders and experts ensures robust and credible research designs tailored to client's needs. Skilled teams conduct data collection, drawing from their experience in developmental programmes to comprehend social, economic, and technical dimensions. The organisation strives to derive insights and knowledge from data analysis, aiding informed decision-making. Research papers, learning materials, process documents, and policy briefs are crafted by FINISH to facilitate the exchange of knowledge on emerging concerns.