Technology for Sustainable Water Resource Governance

The project aims to enhance participation in democratic processes strengthen the ability of rural populations to hold their governments to account and increase the responsiveness of public institutions with respect to water supply needs and sustainable management of water resources in Nicaragua. Project activities include: (1) providing training technical and legal support to local municipal staff and community water committee networks; (2) water well infrastructure; (3) disseminating tools (smart phones data plans and a customized app etc.) to rural populations in the water scarce northwestern region of the country; and (4) training local government officials and the facilitation of networks among water stakeholders to increase responsiveness of public institutions to the need for sustainably managed potable rural water systems.

The expected intermediate outcomes for this project include: (1) enhanced equitable and inclusive participation in democratic decision-making processes related to water supply systems and sustainable water resources management especially by women and marginalized groups through the use of technology; ( 2) increased use of science and technology by people especially women and marginalized groups to hold governments to account for water supply needs and the sustainable management of water resources; and (3) increased responsiveness of public institutions to people’s especially women and marginalized groups need for sustainable water supply systems and management of water resources through the use of technology.