Project completion report on the fourth rural water supply and sanitation sector project (loan 1464-nep [sf]) in Nepal

The Project comprised three parts. Part A was the Community Education and Awareness Program. Part B was the water
supply and sanitation development component. Part C was the implementation assistance and institutional strengthening
component. Overall, the Project is rated successful. Lessons learned include: 1) an effective community-based approach should include community organization capacity building and empowerment; 2) the Project could have collaborated more closely with other agencies active in the sector; 3) some effective ways to make subprojects cost-effective include promoting effective community participation; making subproject designs, including cost estimates, public and transparent; and developing clear mechanisms for substantive but equitable community contribution; 4) sufficient time needs to be dedicated for social mobilization activities, and construction activities should not be rushed; 5) sanitation development should be an integral part of rural water supply projects, to maximize development and poverty reduction impacts; 6) The Project¿s social and economic impacts could not be properly assessed, due to unavailable baseline data and poor benefit monitoring and evaluation.