Community development and participation

Community development and participation is critical to the success and sustainability of any natural resources management program; it provides the community with ownership, responsibility and empowerment in the management of their natural resources. The more a community invests in these systems and projects, the more resources they will dedicate to maintain them and see them succeed. A lack of community participation can lead to poor operation, maintenance, and sustainability of water projects. Community development and participation can range from indirect involvement that is meant to generate buy-in, like the distribution of marketing materials that educate the public about conservation methods and the impact their actions have on the environment; to more significant involvement in the planning and implementation of programs, such as including communities in the construction of alternative irrigation systems.

Case Studies

South Africans gain access to drinking water Dwarsloop, South Africa | March 31, 2005 Today, as result of a USAID-funded project, water is flowing freely in Thulamahashe and Dwarsloop, and in other towns and villages in Bushbuckridge, an area in northeastern South Africa with some 140 communities and about 800,000 people. Learn more

Managing livestock and water for food and fodder

Recovering water utility costs, a first in Egypt

For every challenge, an opportunity

Moroccans secure precious natural resource

Helping recover from cyclone damage in Madagascar

Demonstrating patience vanilla farming in Uganda

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