Lalitpur - The national level workshop on WASH Systems Strengthening through Agenda for Change (A4C) Nepal concluded successfully today, bringing together key stakeholders to reflect on progress made in strengthening Nepal’s water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems and to align future actions for sustainable service delivery.
Organised by Agenda for Change Nepal, the workshop gathered 50/60 participants representing federal government agencies, development partners, donor organizations, I/NGOs, the private sector, academia, and media. The event served as a platform for sharing learning, discussing systemic challenges, and strengthening coordination among actors working in the WASH sector.
Strengthening systems for long-term WASH services
Agenda for Change is a collaboration of like-minded organizations working to promote a systems-based approach to WASH service delivery. In Nepal, the initiative began in 2015 with four organizations and has since expanded into a consortium of nine partners: WaterAid Nepal, FEDWASUN, Welthungerhilfe (WHH), Simavi, Helvetas, CARE Nepal, Terre des Hommes (Tdh), Oxfam Nepal, and WASH Khabar.
The collaboration aims to support national and local governments in strengthening WASH systems to ensure sustainable, inclusive, and resilient services, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 6. Recognising Nepal’s complex WASH governance landscape under the federal system, A4C Nepal has focused on improving policies, institutional capacity, financing mechanisms, monitoring systems, and service delivery arrangements.
Key discussions and outcomes
During the workshop, A4C Nepal and its partners shared key achievements, lessons learned, and experiences from years of engagement in WASH systems strengthening. Participants discussed how a systems approach-focusing on governance, accountability, financing, and capacity-can improve the sustainability and equity of WASH services beyond short-term infrastructure projects.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation and official dissemination of the A4C WASH System Strengthening Roadmap, along with related manuals and frameworks. These documents outline strategic priorities, roles, and actions aimed at improving planning, coordination, and implementation of WASH services across all levels of government.
Interactive question-and-answer sessions and facilitated group discussions allowed participants to provide feedback on the roadmap and explore opportunities for coordinated action aligned with national WASH priorities.
Moving forward
Participants emphasised the importance of stronger collaboration between government institutions, development partners, and sector stakeholders to translate the roadmap into practical action. The workshop concluded with a shared understanding that sustained progress in Nepal’s WASH sector will depend on continued government leadership, adequate financing, institutional strengthening, and long-term commitment to systems-based approaches.
As Nepal works toward universal access to safe water and sanitation, stakeholders view initiatives such as the Agenda for Change national workshop as an important step toward building resilient WASH systems capable of serving all communities, including those most vulnerable to social and climate-related risks.
