The One Drop Foundation envisions a sustainable future with safe and sustainable water for all (SDG 6). Since 2007, it has positively impacted nearly 3 million people across 14 countries, empowering communities to address the water and climate crisis through innovative, sustainable actions. In India, One Drop began supporting WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) projects in 2011, focusing on context-specific infrastructure and community empowerment through a unique combination of traditional knowledge and modern interventions. The Foundation applies its A·B·C for Sustainability™ model, combining access to safe water, behavioural shifts through the Social Art for Behavior Change™ (SABC) approach, and economic empowerment, with a strong focus on community leadership, gender equality and local entrepreneurship.

The One Drop Foundation’s work in India, particularly in Rajasthan, Odisha, and Bihar, integrates traditional art forms and modern interventions to address water, sanitation, and hygiene challenges. Through the SABC approach, folk art, music, and theater are engaged to foster respect for water resources and improve sanitation and hygiene practices. By engaging local communities and promoting water conservation practices such as rainwater harvesting, One Drop’s projects have empowered communities, reaching over 1 million people across three states. This integrated approach creates not only access to safe water services but also long-term economic and social empowerment. 

One Drop’s approach is deeply rooted in collaboration with local communities, respecting traditional knowledge systems, and involving local leadership in decision-making. The Foundation ensures community consent and support through meaningful engagement with community leaders, village elders, and local institutions. Its initiatives promote local resource management, reducing reliance on external sources and increasing resilience to water scarcity. By integrating traditional knowledge with modern solutions, One Drop empowers communities to adapt to climate change while strengthening social cohesion and community identity. For example, in flood prone districts in Bihar, sanitation facilities were designed to be climate-resilient and ensure sustained use of toilets by local communities, even during flooding events. 

In collaboration with local partners, One Drop has significantly influenced policy, particularly in Rajasthan, where the state government has incorporated SABC into national water and sanitation programs. This shift demonstrates the importance of community leadership and traditional knowledge in sustainable water management. Furthermore, the state is planning on integrating local artists into the execution of future WASH programming.   Additionally, the Foundation’s work in Bihar has been acknowledged by the state government and administration, leading to discussions on integrating the SABC approach into district-level water and sanitation programs and other state departments such as disaster resilience. One Drop plans to continue promoting the value of traditional knowledge in policy discussions, further enhancing the role of cultural practices in sustainable water management.