The 1977 United Nations 'Water Conference' at Mar del Plata set up an International Drinking Water Decade from 1981-1990; it also opened the opportunity of emerging NGO Forum as a national networking and service delivery agency in 1982. Soon after the War of Independence, the country was devastated; safe water supply, particularly the sanitation coverage was too low across the country. The sanitation coverage increased from 20% to 42% in urban areas during 1981-92 and from 1% to 33% in rural areas. NGO Forum has introduced the Community-managed WatSan Programme approach in the sector where mobilizing and involving community through the partner organizations was the key following the policies and strategies of the Government of Bangladesh. Creation of Village Development Committee (VDC) and then promotion of Village Sanitation Center (VSC) around the county accelerated the achievement of ‘Sanitation for All by 2010’ and later on promotion of ‘Total Sanitation’ all over the country.
NGO Forum is committed to contribute in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and it links it's all project activities with 11 goals out of the 17 goals. NGO Forum is the active member of the Platform ‘People’s Voice’ which is working to achieve the SDG Goals in Bangladesh.
