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SCDIO — Well being for all

What we do

Four thematic areas, one outcome

From catchment protection to household hygiene, our interventions are designed as a single system — technically sound, environmentally sensible, and locally governed.

Areas of intervention

Four thematic areas

Each area reinforces the others: a protected source, a reliable scheme, safe sanitation, and the local governance that keeps them all running.

3.1

Water Resources Management & Climate Resilience

Protecting water sources through environmental conservation, catchment management, and climate-smart practices to ensure long-term water security.

  • Catchment management and environmental conservation
  • Climate-smart practices for long-term water security
  • Hydro-geological assessment of sustainable sources
3.2

Safe & Clean Community Water Supply Systems

Designing and implementing improved water supply schemes — solar-powered, solar-hybrid, and gravity-fed — tailored to local hydro-geological conditions.

  • Solar-powered and solar-hybrid schemes
  • Gravity-fed systems where terrain allows
  • Designs matched to local hydro-geology
3.3

Institutional & Community Sanitation and Hygiene

Eliminating open defecation and improving hygiene practices through community triggering, household sensitization, and construction of safe WASH facilities in schools and health centers.

  • Community triggering and household sensitization
  • Safe WASH facilities in schools and health centers
  • Elimination of open defecation
3.4

Community Empowerment & Governance

Strengthening local governance through formation and capacity building of Community Based Water Supply Organizations (CBWSOs) to ensure ownership, accountability, and financial sustainability.

  • Formation and training of CBWSOs
  • Financial sustainability and tariff setting
  • Inclusive, accountable local leadership

Strategic priorities

Where we are taking this, 2025–2030

Over the next five years SCDIO aims to strengthen its impact, expand its geographic reach, and deepen community ownership of WASH services across Tanzania.

  1. 9.1

    Expanding Climate-Resilient Water Systems

    SCDIO will scale up the design and implementation of water supply systems that withstand climate variability and environmental stress.

    • Increasing the number of solar-powered and hybrid water schemes in drought-prone and off-grid communities.
    • Integrating climate-smart technologies such as remote monitoring, water-level sensors, and energy-efficient pumping systems.
    • Conducting hydro-geological assessments to identify sustainable water sources and reduce the risk of system failure.
    • Strengthening community awareness on climate adaptation and water conservation practices.

    This priority ensures communities have reliable, year-round access to safe water despite changing climate conditions.

  2. 9.2

    Strengthening Community-Based Water User Organizations

    SCDIO will invest in building strong, accountable, and financially sustainable community-based water user organizations capable of managing water systems independently.

    • Training community water user organization leaders in governance, financial management, tariff setting, and record keeping.
    • Supporting organizations to develop operational manuals, maintenance plans, and transparent reporting systems.
    • Facilitating linkages between water user organizations and district water engineers for technical backstopping.
    • Promoting inclusive leadership that ensures women, youth, and marginalized groups participate in decision-making.

    This priority enhances long-term sustainability and reduces dependency on external support.

  3. 9.3

    Scaling Sanitation in Schools and Health Care Facilities

    SCDIO will expand WASH interventions in critical public institutions to improve health, dignity, and learning outcomes.

    • Constructing gender-responsive, disability-friendly sanitation facilities in primary schools and health centers.
    • Implementing hygiene behavior change programs targeting students, teachers, patients, and caregivers.
    • Supporting schools to establish WASH clubs and peer educators to sustain hygiene practices.
    • Collaborating with health facilities to improve infection prevention and control through improved sanitation and handwashing infrastructure.

    This priority contributes directly to reducing disease burden and improving educational and health outcomes.

  4. 9.4

    Enhancing MEAL Systems

    SCDIO will strengthen its Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning framework to ensure high-quality data, accountability, and continuous learning.

    • Deploying digital data collection tools for real-time monitoring of project progress and water system performance.
    • Conducting outcome and impact assessments to measure changes in health, time savings, and community resilience.
    • Establishing feedback and complaint mechanisms that allow communities to report issues and influence project decisions.
    • Producing evidence-based reports and learning briefs to inform donors, partners, and government stakeholders.

    This priority ensures transparency, improves program quality, and enhances donor confidence.

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Talk to us about where your funding can reach furthest — by region, by thematic area, or by institution.

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