Overcoming capacity gaps in fecal sludge management through education and training

2.7 billion people around the world are in need of Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) services, and this number is expected to rise to 4.9 billion by 2030. Key FSM challenges include the gap in knowledge related to the science behind FSM, the lack of skills and experience in viable implementation models, and the absence of policy to ensure an enabling environment. The Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technologies (CAWST) is working toward filling the capacity gaps in FSM through developing and delivering education and training activities to sanitation implementers. This paper describes the systematic program development process that CAWST undertook to plan and develop the education materials, pilot the FSM workshop to sanitation implementers in Nepal, and use the feedback to improve and finalize the education materials. Results and feedback from the pilot workshop are discussed, and next steps are explained.