Empowering Local Actors on Water Cooperation Towards Social Cohesion

Building Peace Water for Peace Diplomacy in the Sahel and West Africa

Recognizing the shared view that intercommunity conflicts exacerbate insecurity and state destabilization, we consider strengthening local resilience crucial for sustainable peace.

To achieve this, we focus on endogenous knowledge, and revitalizing community concertation mechanisms regarding water points and land use to promote social cohesion. Moreover, we support local actors in articulating their visions and proposing solutions to challenges encountered at the community level. In partnership with grassroots NGO and West African Think Tanks, such as IPAR, CEROS and Eau Vive International, we empower local actors to strengthen cooperative water-related practices in fragile areas, aiming to foster social cohesion. We engage in dialogue with authorities and public institutions to support local actors in reflecting practically on how to develop more equitable and effective water governance models, recognizing water as a common good and the key to natural resource valorization.

In Mauritania, we are working with authorities, UNHCR and other humanitarian and development agencies to support a dialogue between host and refugee communities on water points in and around the largest refugee camp in the Sahel (Mbera camp). Through a participatory research action program, we aim to facilitate community-driven solutions to management and technical challenges at various water points.