Designing water supply and sanitation projects to meet demand in rural and peri-urban communities - Book 3: Ensuring the participation of the poor

These guidelines are the result of two years collaborative research undertaken by WEDC with partners in Africa and South Asia. They demonstrate how water supply and sanitation projects in rural and peri-urban areas can be designed to meet user demand. The aim is to improve the use and sustainability of the services provided.The guidelines consist of three books: Book 1: Concept, Principles and Practice, Book 2: Additional Notes for Policy Makers and Planners, Book 3: Ensuring the Participation of the Poor. This booklet is designed to be read in conjunction with books 1 and 2 of the Designing to Meet Demand guidelines. Whilst these describe a number of practical approaches, this third booklet focuses on a single albeit very important issue: how to ensure the participation of the poor within a demand responsive approach. If this is not done, those in most need of improved services stand every chance of being further marginalised.