Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch the Centre of Excellence to help improve public hygiene & sanitation in India.
This collaboration builds on HUL’s innovative Suvidha Model, which has transformed sanitation standards in Mumbai’s underserved communities through a public-private partnership. Launched in 2016, the 18 Suvidha Centres provide affordable access to sanitation, drinking water, showers, and laundromat facilities to nearly 450,000 people annually. The centres are solar-powered and have saved a cumulative 140 million litres of water since the project's inception.
The centre will serve as a platform for HUL to offer innovation & design expertise to support Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across India. This will include support in areas including human-centric design, behaviour change, dignified livelihoods for sanitation workers, and building climate-resilient sanitation models for urban India. The centre will serve as a forum for knowledge exchange, bringing together experts from across disciplines and partners from both the public and private sectors.
Mr Rohit Jawa, CEO and Managing Director, Hindustan Unilever Limited, said, "At Hindustan Unilever, we have always believed that what is good for India is good for HUL. Our Suvidha Centres exemplify how innovation and collective responsibility by the public and private sectors can help address urban challenges. This partnership with MoHUA marks a significant milestone in our mission to transform hygiene and sanitation across India creating a brighter future every day.”
Ms Roopa Mishra, Joint Secretary & National Mission Director, SBM-U, remarked, “We are delighted to join hands with Hindustan Unilever to advance our mission of dignified and accessible sanitation for all. This partnership is pivotal in driving innovation and ensuring every citizen can benefit from safe and sustainable sanitation facilities.