The purpose of the IWRM Demonstration Projects component of the SADC Regional Water Sector Programme (RWSP) is to demonstrate how the IWRM approach can contribute to improving the livelihoods of communities.   

 

The IWRM demonstration projects were identified and developed through a consultative process involving SADC, National Stakeholders, Local Government, Implementing Agents and communities.

An initial Generic Project Framework was developed by the SADC WD with some discussions taking place with national stakeholders. This project framework required that the demonstration project issues was included in the priorities of SADC, had a strong stakeholder involvement element, linked IWRM to services delivery and added value to local planning. The focus should be on projects that follow IWRM principles, have a direct positive effect on people’s livelihoods thereby alleviating poverty.

 

The RWSP solicited project proposals from SADC member states. National Water Departments and other national stakeholders in 8 SADC member states submitted proposals for IWRM demonstration projects. These proposals were screened for compliance with the overall generic project framework. For 5 of the proposals a National Project Framework document was developed by the national water department or the national stakeholder. This National Project framework gave the objectives and an outline of outputs and activities. Generally the project period would be 18 months.  

 

The projects typically contained essential elements such as sustainability, ability to be replicated elsewhere, food security, participatory approach, stakeholder involvement and multiple water use.

The IWRM principle of applying a participatory approach in water development and management was upheld. The requirement was that detailed project design would only happen once the communities were involved and capacitated to participate in the process, thereby promoting management and decision making at the lowest appropriate level.

 

In order to improve peoples livelihood and support the communities in alleviating poverty it is necessary to look beyond the water sector and apply an integrated approach where not only domestic water is considered, but also water for productive use. Multiple water use, production technologies and marketing of products will be essential elements in this process.

A key element of the selected projects was the involvement of beneficiaries right from the design of the project and throughout implementation, monitoring etc. The projects all have links to national local levels of government structures and to other key stakeholders.

 

The RWSP is implementing 5 IWRM demonstration projects in 5 different SADC countries, namely Zambia, Swaziland, Malawi, Mozambique and Namibia. The projects are at different stages of implementation.  All projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2008.

 

 

Implementing Agents

 

Implementing Agents were recruited in close cooperation for each demonstration project.  This way it would be possible to implement the project over a relatively well-defined time period. The recruitment was done in close cooperation with National Government structures. The Implementing Agent needed to be locally based and to have proven record in community participation. The Implementing Agents will be working in close cooperation with Local Government.

 

Monitoring

 

In addition to the Implementing Agent the RWSP established a corporation with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) to ensure proper application of IWRM principles in the projects. IWMI undertook a role as supporting, monitoring and documenting the projects with respect to application of IWRM principles. This is later to be used when up-scaling the experiences. The approach by IWMI is one on action research where IWMI is actively engaging the process and supporting the Implementing Agent though independently from the Implementing Agent.   More on the monitoring dimension can be found by clicking link on the left bar.  

 

Experience Sharing Workshops

 

A number of experience sharing workshops have been organised between the 5 demonstration projects. These workshops serve to promote cross-fertilisation between the projects and provide an opportunity for participants to share regional experience especially regarding the implementation of community participative projects, such as community mobilisation and monitoring, IWRM indicators, discuss the way forward – up-scaling and to establish a network of IWRM practitioners in the SADC region. Representatives from National and Local Government, Communities, Implementing Agents, Monitoring Agent and RWSP have attended these workshops. Co-orporation has also been established with other projects in the region such as the IWRM II project in South Africa and the Water Sector Programme in Zambia. The IWRM II project has implemented several small IWRM pilot projects following the principles of IWRM. The Water Sector Programme in Zambia will support IWRM pilot projects implemented through Local Government.

More information on the Experience Sharing Workshops can be found by clicking the link on the left bar.

 

Up-scaling

 

In most of the SADC member states Local Government is responsible for services delivery to the population. Up-scaling can ensure that the processes and methods used in the IWRM demonstration projects become embedded into the Local Government work. The RWSP will engage in activities that can facilitate up-scaling.  This can include capacity building for Local Government on methods and approaches, and engage other projects that could fund project implementation.

The key element in the demonstration projects is the specific involvement of the communities in the project areas, throughout the project. The project framework had been defined, but the detailed project design is created by engaging the beneficiary communities. The community is mobilised in a way that enables effective communication and project flow, e.g. identification of representatives / champions / field coordinators, who works directly with the community, who forms a relationship with and understands the dynamics within the community.  

 

A process of visioning is initiated with the purpose of having the communities identify priorities based on their own situation and aspirations. In some cases the respective groups/zones/villages in the project area created a hand-drawn natural resources map of their own area. Through this process a sense of ownership is also instilled. The visioning process is intended to lead to a shared vision of what can be achieved through a project in the specific area. Other stakeholders such as local authority representatives are also involved.  

 

The visioning process is often a long process with a combination of preparation meetings, capacity building interventions, prioritisation workshops culminating in an agreed list of activities and outputs that the project shall achieve. Water related needs, both domestic and productive in nature, is spelt out and initially, with most of the projects a long ‘wish list’ is created. This list is prioritised and adapted to the project framework such as budget and time limitations, IWRM approach, geographic limitations etc.  

 

A monitoring framework is created based on the outcomes of the visioning process of how the community themselves want to improve their livelihood. The communities are further involved in the monitoring process by providing information to the monitoring agent, e.g. through surveys/questionnaires. Monitoring feedback is provided to the Implementing Agent which allows them to adjust the project approach as lessons are learnt throughout.

 

The visioning process is followed by an implementation phase, during which the community is also involved and often contribute in terms of labour and/or natural materials during implementation and construction activities. Capacity building, built around the identified interventions plays a crucial role in the sustainability of the project. Identified training needs are addressed and institutional structures are established to see to the management and maintenance of the constructed water resources and associated domestic or productive activities.

 

Upon completion of the project impacts will be measured through a participatory way and experience gained and lessons learnt will be shared with the beneficiary community and related stakeholders such as local authorities.  A consolidated document containing impacts, lessons learnt and suggested best practice in implementing sustainable livelihoods projects will be provided to the local authorities as a first step to up-scaling.