An excreta flow diagram (also often described as shit flow diagram, SFD) is a tool to readily understand and communicate how excreta physically flows through a city or town. For more info on SFD and the SFD promotion initiative visit https://sfd.susana.org

During the first two phases of the SFD promotion initiative, CSE was closely working with SFD PI partners (BMGF, EAWAG, GIZ, University of Leeds, WEDC, World Bank) to develop tools and methods for the production of SFDs and refinement based on feedback received from sector practitioners. As part of the SFD Phase 1 & 2 grants, CSE prepared more than 100 SFDs (65 + in Ganga basin states & the rest for other cities in India). CSE has made a considerable contribution to support the production and review of good-quality SFDs as well as help train practitioners.

A demonstrated impact is the uptake of the approach by local, regional and national organizations and governmental agencies - in particular in India, South Africa (WRC with CSE technical support launched a national campaign) and in state / cities in Africa and South Asia, where there is widespread use of SFDs for advocacy and as a tool to map progress across the sanitation value chain.