Course Introduction:

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) play a crucial role in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programmes by providing valuable insights into spatial patterns and trends related to water resources, sanitation facilities, and hygiene practices. This course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to leverage GIS for mapping and spatial analysis in the context of WASH programmes. Through a combination of theoretical learning and practical exercises, participants will learn how to use GIS tools and techniques to support decision-making, planning, and monitoring of WASH interventions. By the end of this course, participants will be empowered to apply GIS effectively to address WASH challenges and improve access to clean water and sanitation facilities.

Course Objectives:

1. Understand the role of GIS in WASH programmes and its applications for mapping and spatial analysis.
2. Develop proficiency in using GIS software and tools to visualize, analyze, and interpret spatial data relevant to WASH interventions.
3. Learn how to integrate various datasets, including water sources, sanitation facilities, and hygiene practices, for comprehensive spatial analysis.
4. Gain insights into best practices for using GIS in WASH programme planning, monitoring, and evaluation.
5. Acquire the skills to communicate spatial analysis findings effectively to stakeholders and decision-makers in the context of WASH programmes.

Organization Benefits:

1. Enhanced Decision-Making: By equipping staff with GIS skills, organizations can make more informed decisions regarding WASH interventions, resource allocation, and programme planning.
2. Improved Programme Planning: GIS enables organizations to identify areas with the greatest need for WASH interventions, prioritize resources, and plan interventions more effectively.
3. Better Monitoring and Evaluation: GIS facilitates the monitoring and evaluation of WASH programmes by providing spatially explicit data on programme impact, coverage, and effectiveness.
4. Enhanced Collaboration: GIS promotes collaboration among stakeholders involved in WASH programmes by providing a common platform for data sharing, analysis, and decision-making.
5. Increased Impact: By leveraging GIS for mapping and spatial analysis, organizations can improve the targeting and effectiveness of WASH interventions, ultimately leading to improved access to clean water and sanitation facilities for communities.

Target Participants:

This course is suitable for professionals working in the water, sanitation, and hygiene sector, including WASH programme managers, planners, engineers, researchers, and practitioners. Participants should have a basic understanding of GIS concepts and principles, as well as familiarity with WASH programme implementation.

Course Outline:

Module 1: Introduction to GIS for WASH Programmes

• Overview of GIS concepts and applications in WASH
• Role of GIS in supporting decision-making and planning for WASH interventions
• Introduction to GIS software and tools

Module 2: Spatial Data Collection for WASH

• Methods for collecting spatial data relevant to WASH programmes
• Data sources for water sources, sanitation facilities, and hygiene practices
• Field data collection techniques and tools

Module 3: Data Integration and Management

• Integrating and managing spatial datasets for WASH analysis
• Spatial data quality assessment and assurance
• Database design and management for WASH data

Module 4: Spatial Analysis Techniques for WASH

• Spatial analysis methods for assessing WASH access and coverage
• Analyzing spatial patterns and trends in WASH indicators
• Mapping water resources, sanitation facilities, and hygiene practices

Module 5: WASH Programme Planning and Targeting

• Using GIS to identify areas with the greatest need for WASH interventions
• Targeting resources and interventions based on spatial analysis findings
• Developing spatially explicit WASH programme plans

Module 6: Monitoring and Evaluation of WASH Programmes

• Monitoring WASH programme implementation using GIS
• Evaluating the impact and effectiveness of WASH interventions
• Spatial analysis for assessing programme coverage and impact

Module 7: Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS) for WASH

• Introduction to SDSS and their applications in WASH
• Developing custom SDSS for WASH programme management
• Case studies of SDSS implementation in WASH

Module 8: Participatory GIS (PGIS) in WASH

• Engaging communities in participatory mapping and spatial analysis
• Integrating community-generated spatial data into WASH planning and decision-making
• Best practices for implementing PGIS in WASH programmes

Module 9: Spatial Data Visualization and Communication

• Visualizing WASH data using maps, charts, and dashboards
• Communicating spatial analysis findings to stakeholders and decision-makers
• Using GIS for advocacy and public awareness in WASH

Module 10: Case Studies and Practical Applications

• Real-world case studies of GIS applications in WASH programmes
• Hands-on exercises and projects to apply GIS techniques to WASH data
• Best practices and lessons learned from GIS implementation in WASH