Past Research Projects

Management of Water Users' Associations and Formation of Collaborative Local Society in Rural Africa

The intent of this study is to analyze, from the viewpoint of collective management of common pool resources (CPRs), the social dimensions of sustainable management of water users' associations (WUAs) and rural water supply systems. The research is particularly focused on the following: i) the local social and political process of trust formation and norm acceptance by and among WUA members; and ii) the development of mutually-engaging and collaborative relationships between WUAs and other stakeholders within and beyond the communities in question, including relevant government administrators and private sector service providers. This is essentially an issue of improved local governance based on and emanating from water management.