The active involvement of communities in water resource management and governance is an important outcome if we are to achieve sustainable and equitable water security for all. This assumes a shift in power, whereby control over the water resource is more fairly distributed among stakeholders, including vulnerable communities. We recognise that communities need to overcome a range of barriers to adopt effective water management, including (but not limited to): the ability to influence local solutions, access to - and reception by - official bodies, and capacity and tools to address water management issues. An important precondition of engaging communities is collective agenda-setting, knowledge exchange, and developing capacity. Through proactive learning and cooperation between researchers and stakeholders, we can co-create practices and processes that improve collective responses to water-related risks while protecting lives and livelihoods.
Outcome Area: Social & Cultural Inclusion
