The Global Public-Private Partnership for Handwashing with Soap

The key principles of the PPP Initiative for Handwashing with Soap

The philosophy

• The countries' public sector taking the lead, with technical assistance and support from outside agencies*
• Political commitment is required
• Building and integration on existing water and sanitation, infrastructure, school, etc. programs
• Programs are wide scale
• Public-private partnerships are only a tool
• The partnerships are inclusive
• All partners share information in a transparent manner
• There is a focus on measuring impact

*It should be noted that different institutional arrangements may be experimented.

Transparency and equality of the partners

• All research information and knowledge coming out of the new initiative is placed in the public domain in a timely manner, through the program website and other dissemination tools.
• All research information and knowledge arising out of the new initiative is open to other soap manufacturers.
• No branded soap products is used in the communication campaigns.

Involvement of local soap firms

• The focus is on the act of washing hands at critical junctures using whatever soap people like.
• The consultative process includes the small scale sector at every stage since the outset in January 2001.
• All local manufacturers are welcome to participate in the program.
• The shift in consumption pattern with overall increase in market size of soaps for the private manufacturers won't have any detrimentally impact the small scale sector.