The aim of this research project by Patrick A. Sijenyi was to investigate whether Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) as implemented in Eritrea could accelerate sustainable progress towards achieving the MDG sanitation target. If so, scaling up the approach would not only be beneficial to all stakeholders involved in meeting MDG 7 targets 7C (specific reference to sustainable access to basic sanitation) and 7D (specific reference to improving the lives of urban slum dwellers) but also relevant to Goals 1-6 (through creating greater understanding and empowerment of communities to claim their right to equitable access to services and enjoy benefits resulting thereof).

Accordingly, the study has four key objectives:

1. To assess and establish the factors which have contributed to the rapid uptake of the CLTS approach across the six administrative regions of Eritrea.
2. To investigate and verify the sustainability aspects of the CLTS approach
3. To investigate and develop in-depth understanding on the implementation processes of the CLTS approach.
5. To assess equity perspectives with respect to CLTS implementation and evidence to demonstrate that this approach does indeed empower communities to further improve/transform their lives for the better.

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This research was carried out by Patrick A. Sijenyi's as part of his MSc in Water and Environmental Management at WEDC, Loughborough University.