Neftaly: Addressing Informal Settlement Water and Sanitation Needs through Backyard Partnerships

Introduction

Informal settlements often face serious challenges in accessing clean water and safe sanitation. Overcrowding, poor infrastructure, and limited government support make it difficult for individual households to secure these basic services on their own. Backyard partnerships—collaborative efforts between neighboring households—can offer practical, low-cost, and community-led solutions to these challenges.

At Neftaly, we promote backyard partnerships as a people-centered strategy to meet water and sanitation needs, improve hygiene, and build stronger, more resilient communities.

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1. What Are Backyard Partnerships in Water and Sanitation?

Backyard partnerships are cooperative arrangements where two or more households work together to share and manage water and sanitation facilities in their immediate living space. These can include:

• Shared water collection systems (e.g., rainwater tanks or communal taps)
• Joint sanitation solutions (e.g., communal or co-financed toilets)
• Shared greywater drainage and waste management systems
• Coordinated cleaning schedules and hygiene awareness efforts

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2. Why Backyard Partnerships Work in Informal Settlements

Challenge	Backyard Partnership Solution
Limited space	Shared use of land for toilets or washing areas
High cost of infrastructure	Pooling funds to build and maintain shared facilities
Poor maintenance of public facilities	Community ownership leads to better upkeep and use
Health and hygiene risks	Joint hygiene practices and education efforts
Limited government intervention	Self-driven, low-cost initiatives that meet urgent needs

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3. Benefits of Backyard Partnerships

• ✅ Affordability: Reduce the cost burden by sharing materials, labor, and maintenance duties.
• ✅ Improved Access: Ensure reliable access to water and toilets, especially for vulnerable households.
• ✅ Health Promotion: Cleaner, well-maintained shared facilities reduce risk of diseases.
• ✅ Community Cohesion: Build trust and cooperation among neighbors.
• ✅ Empowerment: Engage residents—especially women and youth—in planning and decision-making.

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4. How to Start a Backyard Partnership

Step 1: Identify Shared Needs

Bring neighbors together to talk openly about their water and sanitation challenges and what they could share.

Step 2: Set Common Goals

Agree on what you want to achieve, such as building a shared toilet or installing a water tank.

Step 3: Plan and Pool Resources

Decide who will contribute what—money, materials, labor—and set realistic timelines.

Step 4: Build and Maintain

Use safe, affordable construction methods. Assign roles for cleaning, maintenance, and conflict resolution.

Step 5: Monitor and Adapt

Check in regularly as a group to assess how things are working and make changes if needed.

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5. Neftaly’s Support for Backyard Water and Sanitation Partnerships

At Neftaly, we offer:

• ???? Technical training on low-cost, safe construction methods
• ???? Workshops on hygiene promotion and behavior change
• ???? Facilitation support to help communities form and manage partnerships
• ???? Templates and agreements to formalize roles and shared responsibilities
• ???? Linkages to municipal services, NGOs, and potential funding sources

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6. Key Considerations for Success

• Inclusivity: Ensure women, elders, and people with disabilities are actively involved.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Respect local practices when designing and managing shared facilities.
• Accountability: Use clear agreements and regular meetings to keep everyone involved and informed.
• Scalability: Successful partnerships can inspire others and scale across the community.

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Conclusion: Community Power for Basic Needs

Backyard partnerships are more than just practical—they are a pathway to dignity, health, and social cohesion. By working together, neighbors in informal settlements can meet their water and sanitation needs in sustainable, empowering ways.

With Neftaly’s support, these local solutions can grow into community-wide change.