Groundwater in the political domain

Coordinator: Dr. F. van Steenbergen
Consortium partners: van Steenbergen (MetaMeta, NL); Mostert (TUD, NL); Woldearegay (Mekelle University, Ethiopia); Babaqi (Water and Environment Centre, Sana’a University, Yemen); Alemayehu (Oromia Water Works Design and Supervision Enterprise, Ethiopia); Bateh (Palestinian Water Authority, Palestine Territories)

Project goal:

Putting access and management of groundwater on the political agenda in Ethiopia, the Palestinian Territories and Yemen.

Introduction:

With most surface water already committed or utilized, groundwater presents the last major water ‘frontier’. The boundaries and long term potential of this precious resource are not always known, and in most cases different groups draw upon the same aquifer. The use and management of groundwater is of particular concern in Ethiopia, the Palestinian Territories and Yemen, where this project’s research activities will take place. Access to groundwater in the different areas is subject to power play, to severe overuse or it is managed by stealth. The aim is to examine the interaction between political engagement and effective management under different natural, organisational and political conditions.

Project description:

The project aims to get ‘into the political black box’. The project’s consortium members will focus on three main activities. Firstly there will an analysis on how conflicts and cooperation and ‘do nothing’ situations are handled in the political and institutional domain. Case studies will be developed from each area that is meant to trigger discussion. Secondly, we will develop action plans to get larger political involvement in discussing how groundwater is governed and how to increase the fair and optimal use of this resource. And thirdly, the aim is capacity building and communication so that more professionals and practitioners can play a role in activating the political and institutional domain.

Having started on 1st November 2010, the project will continue until 30 October 2013. The approach is to be proactive, inclusive and engaging, using a mixture of scientific analysis and rapid interaction with stakeholders – including the use of modern communication means.