Launched in 2014, the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) aimed to eliminate open defecation across rural India. In 2020, SBM 2.0 (Gramin) was introduced to sustain Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and advance to ODF Plus by focusing on solid and liquid waste management. Aligned with this vision, SMART’s WASH-CCES (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene - Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability) programme, in partnership with UNICEF, is being implemented across four states: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu.​

This initiative is critical to deepening the understanding of WASH practices in rural communities, identifying key enablers and barriers to sustaining ODF outcomes, and promoting climate-resilient sanitation practices. By combining community radio-led outreach with on-ground engagement, the project captures behavioural insights related to toilet use, faecal sludge management, menstrual waste, grey water management, and safe drinking water, while prioritising the dignity and safety of sanitation workers.​

Leveraging community radio stations as a powerful medium, the project aims to reach over 3 million people through regular broadcasts and engage with over 30,000 people through narrowcasts and focus group discussions with multi-stakeholders. Community Radio Stations are a unique platform for amplifying local voices and facilitating two-way communication between communities and institutions, making them well-suited to lead community-led initiatives like the SBM.