# Microcredit Sanitation Services The Gramalaya Urban and Rural Development Initiatives and Network By Tiana Reid | Published 2013-05-19 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gramalaya-urban-and-rural-development References: [guardianmfi](http://guardianmfi.com/) Gramalaya Urban and Rural Development Initiatives and Network ([GUARDIAN](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/guardian-bikes)) is a not-for-profit organization working in [water and sanitation](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tide-loads-of-hope) in India. It was founded in Raja Colony, Trichy in 2007 by the non-governmental organization Gramalaya, which had preciously been working in the same field in for over twenty years in the Tiruchirapalli District. Working through micro loans and micro credit, GUARDIAN targets poor communities by installing sanitation and water systems in various locations and in the home. This is an example of part of the larger international development industry that attempts to "[make sanitation sexy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/righthear-1)" in the midst of other causes that tend to get more attention. **Contact Information** Gramalaya Urban and Rural Development Initiatives and Network [website](http://guardianmfi.com/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 22% | Activity: 48% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Social Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialbusiness) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Microcredit Sanitation Services:** The use of microcredit in the sanitation industry can be disruptive by opening up opportunities for investment in poor communities. - **Innovative Sanitation Financing:** The use of micro loans and credit for sanitation initiatives presents an opportunity for innovative financing models in the development industry. - **Sanitation for Low-income Communities:** Sanitation initiatives that focus on low-income communities can be disruptive by addressing an underserved need and improving overall public health. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Microfinance:** Microfinance can be a disruptive innovation opportunity for the sanitation industry by providing financing to low-income communities. - **International Development:** The international development industry can be disruptive by focusing its attention on sanitation initiatives and improving public health in low-income communities. - **Non-profit:** Non-profit organizations focusing on water and sanitation in low-income communities can be disruptive by providing innovative financing models and addressing an underserved need for basic sanitation services. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Affordable Eco-friendly FemCare](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/periodhealth-femalehealth-pregnancycare-femalehygiene.md) - [Festival-Focused Toilet-Sharing Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/home-toilet.md) - [Public Hygiene Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clean-bathroom-global-challenge.md) - [Clean Bathroom-Locating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/woloo.md) - [Clean Water CSR Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/give-water-give-health.md) - [Rural Dairy Farm Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dairy-farm1.md) - [Blockchain-Based Credit Scoring Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/credit-scoring-solution.md) - [Charitable Hygiene Supply Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/purse-project.md) - [Health-Supporting Female Plumbers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/world-continence-week.md)