Community-led total sanitation (CLTS)

Community-led total sanitation (CLTS) is an approach that empowers communities to eliminate open defecation by fostering collective awareness and action. It encourages residents to recognize the health risks of poor sanitation and work together to improve their environment, often through local initiatives like building toilets. The goal is to create sustained behavioral change from within the community, making sanitation a shared responsibility. CLTS emphasizes participation, social norms, and community ownership, leading to healthier, cleaner living conditions without reliance on external subsidies.