Toilet Board Coalition was a strategic partner of PERUMIN Inspira 2024, supporting innovative entrepreneurial ideas with social impact that align with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation.

In an interview with Maria Fernanda Delfino, the Coalition’s Engagement Manager, we explored their work in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing the global sanitation crisis.

What areas does the Toilet Board Coalition focus on?

The Toilet Board Coalition accelerates business solutions to the sanitation crisis through the world’s leading Accelerator for Sanitation Economy entrepreneurs. This program serves low-income clients in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The Accelerator connects global business leaders and investors with innovative sanitation solutions, fostering critical partnerships, opening new markets, and driving sustainable community-level impact toward SDG 6.

What services do you provide?

Our program provides coaching on business models, corporate mentorship, and access to investment for sanitation entrepreneurs over a 12-month period. It is delivered in English, Spanish, and French, with Khmer to be added next year.

The Accelerator scales commercially viable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that offer products and services across the sanitation value chain, which includes access, collection and transportation, treatment, smart sanitation, and reuse.

What notable achievements have you had in 2024?

This year has been exceptional, with a record number of applications to the Accelerator, reflecting the growing momentum in sanitation innovation. Our expansion into West Africa further broadened our reach and impact.

To date, we have graduated 88 sanitation SMEs across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, positively impacting 5.7 million lives every day and mobilizing $40 million in investment. This success is supported by founding members (Kimberly-Clark, LIXIL, and Unilever) and key donors (USAID, Aqua for All, the Inter-American Development Bank, BID Lab, Toilet Board Innovation Fund, and other partners).

In Latin America, we are proud to have graduated our second class, which included five entrepreneurs from Peru and Guatemala: 2M Proveedores, TUMI Robotics, Sanilab, Sustenta, and Flor de Tierra.

Additionally, our project "Driving the Sanitation Economy in Latin America and the Caribbean" was recognized as one of the Most Influential Projects of 2024 by the Project Management Institute. This accomplishment highlights our work in the region, which was co-funded by the Inter-American Development Bank and BID Lab through the Innovation Fund alliance and implemented in partnership with Water For People.

What are your goals for 2025?

Our vision is to create a thriving, circular, and smart Sanitation Economy by 2030, inspiring the brightest entrepreneurs, creating livelihoods, and restoring dignity to lives. Over the next six years, we aim to expand from 88 graduated companies to 1,000, reaching an additional 1 billion people.

At the start of next year, we will welcome the class of 2025 and launch the call for applications for the 2026 program.

What inspired your partnership with PERUMIN Inspira 2024?

We were motivated to take part in this new challenge by the unique opportunity to foster social and environmental entrepreneurship in the highlands and jungle regions of Peru. This collaboration has allowed us to identify, support, and recognize innovative ideas that have the potential to have a significant impact on achieving SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation.

How did you contribute to the program's development?

For the 2024 edition, we supported the initiative through three key actions: raising awareness of SDG 6 among applicants during masterclasses, participating in the Evaluation Committee to ensure finalists aligned with this goal, and participating in the recognition event.

Do you think authorities are doing enough to prioritize universal access to water and sanitation?

Significant progress has been made in promoting universal access to water and sanitation, particularly through policies and programs that prioritize vulnerable communities. However, this is a complex challenge that requires active collaboration and collective action from all sectors.

Entrepreneurs drive innovation, while governments create enabling environments for impact. Public-private partnerships are essential to accelerate business solutions to the sanitation crisis.