Giving a Voice to Tribal Communities in Odisha

Water Advocacy Project Update (June-September 2025)

Revival and Capacity Building of Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs)

The revival of Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) has been one of the most important achievements so far in our Water Advocacy Project in tribal villages in Odisha. VWSCs are the backbone of community-led water governance at the village level, responsible for managing local drinking water systems, monitoring sanitation, and ensuring that all households especially marginalized ones have equitable access. However, in Daspalla, most VWSCs were either inactive or functioning only in name, with little participation from women and youth.

Out of the 15 target villages, 6 VWSCs have already successfully revived and re-activated. The revival process has involved community meetings, re-orientation of members, and facilitation by JRP field staff to build trust and renew commitment. Five refresher training and capacity-building sessions were organized to strengthen the committees. These trainings covered roles and responsibilities of VWSCs, participatory decision-making, maintenance of water sources, and linkages with government schemes for financial and technical support.

Integrating women and young people into water and sanitation decision-making

A major focus has been inclusivity. Traditionally, decision-making has been dominated by male elders, while women—who are primary water users—have had little say. Through this project, 345 women and young people are now actively involved in training, and being given leadership responsibilities. Women members now lead discussions on handpump repair and hygiene promotion, while young people have taken the initiative in mobilizing community contributions.

This revival has already begun to yield results: villagers report more frequent VWSC meetings, clearer communication with panchayat leaders, and greater community confidence in solving water-related issues. By strengthening VWSCs, the project has created sustainable platforms for water governance, ensuring that solutions are not imposed from outside but owned and managed by the community itself.

Advocacy & Awareness Meetings

Advocacy and awareness activities have been a critical component of the project’s strategy to ensure sustainable water governance and sanitation practices. 

Since June 2025, seven structured advocacy meetings have been organized with key stakeholders, including Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), VWSC members, and women’s self-help groups (SHGs). The meetings aim to highlight the importance of safe drinking water, proper sanitation, and the convergence of government schemes at the village level. The discussions have emphasized how communities could proactively participate in identifying water and sanitation issues, monitoring infrastructure, and ensuring timely maintenance.