Lessons Learned

Lessons learned from 6 years of FSMA

We hope that the knowledge and experience we’ve gained will help others continue building a more inclusive sector that brings safely managed sanitation to all.

Running a sanitation-focused NGO

While we’ve been helping to create a more inclusive sanitation sector, we’ve also learned a lot about building and sustaining an NGO. It hasn’t always been easy. We’ve had to navigate financial struggles, find the right organisational structure, and develop internal policies to ensure our operations mirrored the change we hoped to see. 


Here are some lessons we’ve learned about running a sanitation-focused NGO.

Begin by thinking about sustainability 

While start-up funding is necessary, it won’t keep you going long-term. From the start, ensure you plan to sustain operations when donor funding runs out. 

Be prepared to work harder for unrestricted support and activities without a physical product, like building networks and platforms.

Build your organisation around strong values 

Your internal operations should reflect your goals if you want to see a more inclusive, equity-centered sector. 

Organisational policies and processes can center employees without compromising risk management. For example, extend support for family considerations to all employees, have zero tolerance for bad behaviour, and streamline procedures for international consultants.

Be open to structural change

Despite being a relatively young organisation, FSMA tried three different governance models to find the structure that best served our operations and purpose. 

Finding the best way to apportion legal and financial liability may take a while. Also keep in mind that as an organisation evolves, its governance may need to evolve too.

Match your communications to your audience 

Your choice of media must be flexible. Social media platforms like Instagram could be the best way to engage youth, while messaging tools like WhatsApp might be more effective than email. Avoid using technical jargon with funders, who are likely to respond better to storytelling than heavily technical explanations.


Hosting an FSM conference

A crucial part of FSMA’s legacy is our support for the International Faecal Sludge Management Conference series. We have been excited to watch this conference grow in attendance and visibility over the years, providing a platform for FSM service providers, workers, and stakeholders. 


In the process, we’ve learned about large-scale event planning. Success lies at the intersection of a great attendee experience, clear objectives, an engaging program, a sufficient budget, and well-executed logistics. Here’s our advice for anyone planning a large event.

Skilled personnel are crucial

Event planning and project management take considerable skill. Value and resource this work as much as any other activity.

Assign clear roles and responsibilities for planning and delivering events, including positions of authority and decision-making. Organisation leaders must be prepared to delegate if they might be unavailable when rapid decisions need to be made.

Pay attention to the conference experience

Think carefully about how people will move through your event. Don’t just focus on lining up an impressive speaker program and overlook details that will make the event enjoyable.

The greatest value in conferences is often in-person networking. Intentionally build time into the program for attendees to network, rather than over-scheduling every hour.

Remember that food makes people happy. If something goes wrong, people are likely to be more forgiving when they can socialise over a meal.

Plan well in advance and have contingencies

When planning an event with a group, ensure that all co-hosts are aligned on priorities and budgets before any work begins.

Start planning earlier than you think you need to. Events are one of the few occasions when a deadline may be impossible to move. Give yourself enough time and staff capacity to problem-solve the unexpected.

Make backup plans in case important speakers and guests have to withdraw at short notice.