South Bougainville WASH Programme Contract related to: South Bougainville WASH Programme - As PNG¿s main development partner in the sector, and given the impact of poor water supply and sanitation on human development, the EU identified Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) for Human Development as Priority area 2 in the EU-PNG MIP 2021-2027. PNG¿s low WaSH coverage increases the vulnerability of the population to water-borne and other diseases, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Improved Hygiene practices and access to clean water are therefore of utmost importance in this global emergency context. The proposed action reflects this focus, contributing to the objectives of the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the EU¿s response to Covid-19.Supporting the goals of PNG¿s National WaSH Policy 2015-2030 and the Bougainville Strategic Development Plan 2018-2022, the Overall Objective (Impact) of this action is to improve gender-responsive Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) policies, services and practices in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB). The specific objectives are: SO1: Increased use and maintenance of equitable, safe, adequate and sustainable water water, sanitation and hygiene supply and practices in places of human agglomeration in rural areas of South Bougainville District of AROB. SO2: Improved governance and institutional capacities of mandated authorities for WaSH service delivery in Bougainville. Covid-19 awareness will be included at both levels.To achieve the objectives, the action comprises a component on rural WASH service delivery in the South Bougainville District, Bougainville¿s most under-served area and a component on institutional strengthening and capacity building for ABG entities mandated to implement WASH services in Bougainville, notably the ABG Department of Health as well as local authorities. The action will support the implementation of the PNG National WaSH policy 2015 - 2030 and the Autonomous Bougainville Government¿s (ABG) policies and commitment to ensure access to critical WaSH services to Bougainville, as a means to strengthen human development, health, education and livelihood for marginalised rural communities, with a special focus on women and girls.The action will significantly strengthen resilience to climate change for rural communities benefitting from this action. It also supports GoPNG¿s commitment to improve social services in Bougainville while mainly focussing on SDG 6 (WaSH), this action also contributes to SDGs 3 (health), 1 (end poverty), 5 (gender equality) and 13 (climate action).