|
JOHUD Projects: Environmental
Project title: EMPOWERS: Euro-Mediterranean participatory water resource scenarios
Partners: CARE
International, INWRDAM & IRC, Ministry of Agriculture
Funder: EC
Purpose:
To improve
long term access to water for vulnerable populations through integrated water
resources development and management at the local level, with special emphasis
on stakeholder involvement and empowerment.
The EMPOWERS approach
The
EMPOWERS approach to improving local water governance is built upon a participatory
management cycle embedded in a process that brings people together to analyse information,
develop a common vision and work together to realise it. This process is known
as stakeholder dialogue and concerted action, meaning that people focus on
their problems together and work together on actions to solve them. The process
is facilitated to ensure that all voices are heard, and all interests taken
into account. This process is designed to enhance local water governance to
derive maximum benefits for local people without compromising the
sustainability of the surrounding environment.
To pursue
their vision, villagers, working with representatives of the local authorities,
conducted informal research to establish a clear picture of the water situation
in their communities. This highlighted the problems faced by different groups
in accessing and using water resources. This process was supported by the collection,
analysis and crosschecking of relevant information about water resources,
infrastructure, demand and access. This process identified the relevant actors
for water provision and use. A representative cross-section of the village
developed and debated their own Water Resources Strategy to guide priorities
and future work for themselves and for service providers. The villagers
practiced direct control over planning and decision making, with facilitation
and assistance from EMPOWERS staff. The tremendous sense of confidence and ownership
created was considered vital to the ultimate success and sustainability of the
project. The strategy was detailed in plans for community water projects, and
the whole process was reviewed during periods of reflection and monitoring
EMPOWERS Achievements
Village
water efficiency and storage capacity was improved for 150 households;
Revolving
funds were established to support the replication of water management
technologies in Rweiha, Tal Al-Mantah, Omm Ayyash and Subeihi;
Measures put in place to deliver irrigation water to farms in Damya, to reduce the
use of drinking water for irrigation.
In Omm Ayyash, 15% of households without
piped water received water for the
first time, on a cost recovery basis.
A further 30% of households in the upland
areas received supplementary water to compensate for an inadequate piped
supply.
In
Rumaimeen, the efficiency of water canals was increased with the aim of
reducing water losses from 50% to 20%.
Following the end of the pilot period,
villagers continued to hold effective dialogue with the governorate officials
who have agreed to replace dilapidated networks.
Feedback from stakeholders
"We explored new methods for identifying problems from the field and how
to analyse problems, set priorities and discover necessary scenarios to problem
solving through new methods we never knew before. We developed our skills to
find suitable solutions in shorter and cost effective ways to serve and help
the most needed."
Eng. Yofif AL Sakran-director of Middle Ghor department, Jordan Valley
Authority-Ministry of Water and Irrigation.
|
