Taking a hyperlocal approach

Baseline surveys: Laying the foundations to achieve sustainable solutions

Jeevika Trust has recently begun a 3 year Water Advocacy Project in 25 tribal villages in Odisha. The project aims to deliver high quality WASH projects and improved nutrition, through partnership building and advocacy. To achieve the best outcomes, it is vital to understand the local context and not take a one size fits all approach. This ensures needs are fully met, beneficiaries are empowered and solutions are sustainable.

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WHY TAKE A HYPERLOCAL APPROACH?

• Jeevika Trust prides itself in putting women and tribal communities at the heart of all its projects and giving a voice to these marginalised communities.

• We therefore build strong partnerships with local partners, who themselves have built up strong relationships with the tribal communities where we operate. In Daspalla, Odisha, we are working with our long term partners Jeevan Rekha Parishad (JRP) who have worked successfully with tribal communities for many decades.

• The wealth of experience of the JRP team in understanding the challenges facing these communities has allowed them to build trust with communities and recognise where capacity needs to be built to enable success.

• Jeevika Trust and JRP are working together to build capacity and empower communities to embrace sustainable futures

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Location: Odisha, Eastern India 

Delivering Partner: Jeevan Rekha Parishad

Funding partner: Waterloo Foundation 

Start date: January 2025

Phase 1 (Jan-April 2025): In-depth baseline survey of 25 villages and comprehensive community outreach

Project WASH - Baseline Surveys & Community Outreach

Since January 2025 the JRP and Jeevika team have been carrying out comprehensive surveys of water infrastructure, yield and quality across 25 tribal villages in Daspalla, Odisha. As a part of this, our team has engaged extensively with villagers to understand their perspectives and in particular, the barriers they face in improving nutrition, health and hygiene.

Ongoing analysis of this information is allowing us to identify key performance indicators upon which we can measure the success of this project in the future. Once this has been completed, we will move onto the first stage of project delivery.

THE LOCAL CONTEXT

• 73% of households rely on untreated water sources

• 64% lack drainage facilities

• 45% of households lack latrines

• Significant depletion & contamination of groundwater.

• High rates of acute & chronic malnutrition

• Poor diets & lack of nutritional education

• Under-nourished women & children experience poor health and cognitive development

• Many government-provided toilets are damaged & unused

• Limited access to sanitary products leads to health problems for women

Help our Water Advocacy work.

To make a donation contact us at info@jeevika.org.uk