Steps in CLTS

Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) is an innovative approach to sanitation promotion that aims to mobilize communities to take action around improving their own sanitation and hygiene practices. Here are the key steps involved in the CLTS methodology:

**Community Selection**: Identify and select a community that is willing to engage in the CLTS process. This may involve consultations with local leaders and stakeholders to ensure commitment.

**Initial Meeting and Kick-off**: Conduct a meeting with community members to introduce the CLTS concept, explaining the objectives and the importance of sanitation and hygiene.

**Facilitator Training**: Train local facilitators who will guide the community through the process, ensuring they understand the principles of CLTS and how to encourage participation.

**Participatory Assessment**: Engage the community in a participatory assessment where they can identify existing sanitation practices, problems, and their impacts. This often includes mapping the community and discussing current sanitation facilities.

**Triggering**: A critical step where facilitators create a sense of shame and disgust about open defecation by discussing the health implications and presenting disturbing facts and stories related to poor sanitation. The aim is to motivate the community to take action.

**Action Plan Development**: After triggering, community members are encouraged to develop their own action plans for improving sanitation, often leading to community-led initiatives that may include building latrines and improving hygiene practices.

**Implementation**: The community begins to implement the action plan, constructing latrines and promoting hygiene practices. This phase relies on community effort, ownership, and local materials.

**Monitoring and Evaluation**: Communities are encouraged to monitor progress and evaluate the results of their sanitation efforts. This can involve regular meetings to celebrate achievements and address any challenges.

**Certification and Celebration**: Once a community demonstrates that it has eliminated open defecation (often verified through a community-led process), they can be recognized or certified as Open Defecation Free (ODF). Celebrating this achievement is a crucial part of reinforcing community pride.

**Sustainability and Follow-up**: After achieving ODF status, ongoing support is necessary to maintain sanitation improvements. This includes follow-up visits, continued education, and supporting the community in sustaining their sanitation practices.

By involving the community in every step, CLTS fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, which is crucial for the long-term success of sanitation initiatives.