Rashid Kidwai WASH Finance Awards
Recognising Innovation and Leadership in Financing India’s WASH Future
In memory of Shri Rashid Kidwai, whose vision and leadership continue to inspire innovation, collaboration, and inclusive growth in India’s sanitation movement.
About the Awards
Access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is not only a basic human right—it is the foundation of health, dignity, and economic progress. Over the past decade, flagship initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission have significantly transformed service delivery across India.
However, the sustainability and scale of these achievements depend on one critical enabler: finance—the ability to mobilise and direct capital toward inclusive, scalable WASH solutions.
To address this, the India Sanitation Coalition (ISC) is instituting the Rashid Kidwai WASH Finance Awards—a first-of-its-kind national platform to recognise institutions and individuals shaping India’s WASH finance ecosystem through innovation, leadership, and impact.
Why These Awards Matter
Despite growing national focus, access to finance remains a key bottleneck in the WASH sector. Traditional financing systems often perceive sanitation, water, and waste management as high-risk, low-return areas.
A new generation of banks, development finance institutions, NBFCs, impact investors, and philanthropic organisations are redefining WASH financing—supporting everything from wastewater infrastructure to women-led sanitation enterprises.
These awards aim to:
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Celebrate pioneers and innovators in WASH finance
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Showcase scalable and replicable financing models
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Encourage mainstream capital to invest in WASH as a viable and impactful sector
Objectives
The Rashid Kidwai WASH Finance Awards aim to strengthen India’s WASH ecosystem by:
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Recognising excellence in financing sanitation and water initiatives
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Encouraging innovation in financial instruments, blended finance models, and partnerships
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Bridging gaps between finance, policy, and development outcomes
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Creating a repository of scalable and bankable WASH models
Award Categories
The awards are structured across three core streams:
1. Upstream Finance
Recognising institutions enabling large-scale and structured financial innovation at the ecosystem level.
Who Can Apply:
Banks, NBFCs, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), Development Agencies, and Blended Finance Platforms
Indicative Criteria:
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Volume and quality of WASH-linked financing
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Innovation in financial instruments (e.g., green bonds, credit guarantees, pay-for- success models)
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Integration of ESG and climate-resilient financing
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Alignment with national missions and measurable outcomes
2. Enterprise Finance
Celebrating enterprises and investors driving growth across the sanitation and water value chain—from waste management to circular economy solutions.
Who Can Apply:
Startups, MSMEs, Impact Investors, and CSR-backed ventures
Indicative Criteria:
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Innovative and financially sustainable business models
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Measurable impact on access, gender inclusion, or livelihoods
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Ability to attract follow-on or blended capital
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Replicability across geographies
3. Community & Philanthropy Finance: Empowering the Last Mile
Recognising community-driven and philanthropic initiatives that enable inclusive and sustainable WASH outcomes empowering citizens, especially women.
Who Can Apply:
CSR Foundations, Philanthropic Trusts, Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs), and Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
Indicative Criteria:
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Financial inclusion of low-income households
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Community participation and local ownership
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Sustainability of behavioural and infrastructure outcomes
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Innovation in microfinance, revolving funds, or social investment
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Category |
Awards Name |
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Category 1 |
Upstream Finance Download |
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Category 2 |
Enterprise Finance Download |
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Category 3 |
Community & Philanthropy Finance: Empowering the Last Mile Download |
How to Apply:
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Download the application forms from the links provided with each category.
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Complete the form and email it to awards@isc.ficci.com with the subject line: “Rashid Kidwai WASH Finance Awards 2026: Entry for Category No. {Category Number}: {Category Name}”
Deadline: Submit your application by May 15th, 2026.
Join the Movement
The Rashid Kidwai WASH Finance Awards are more than recognition—they are a call to action to reimagine how finance can transform India’s WASH landscape.
Be part of a growing ecosystem that is unlocking capital, driving innovation, and building a more inclusive and sustainable future.
