Synthesis of Existing Knowledge and Experience on the Provision of ...

associated with the program include a lack <strong>of</strong> full community participation, conflict <strong>of</strong> interest in theproposed project areas, <strong>and</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> support by stakeholders.At the same time, the Oromia Growth Corridors Plan is also the first purely government ledprogram which openly states that most l<strong>and</strong> in Borana zone should be maintained as rangel<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong>should not be converted for agricultural production. It also recognizes that an integrateddevelopment approach which addresses other crucial development needs such as access to markets<strong>and</strong> health facilities, among other services, are indispensable if livelihoods are to be protected <strong>and</strong>improved.4.2.2 Approaches to water development <strong>and</strong> community engagementAs highlighted in Section 3, different actors employindependent approaches to water development <strong>and</strong>community engagement, with little interaction orharmonization between them. Approaches rangefrom technocratic, with generic methods <strong>of</strong>promoting participation (<strong>of</strong>ten symbolic), to highlyparticipatory approaches specific to particularlocalities <strong>and</strong> socio-political settings. There is morefocus among donors, development organizations<strong>and</strong> some government programs such as the PCDPto rehabilitate existing water points as a costeffective means <strong>of</strong> availing water, <strong>and</strong> also as a wayto avoid disrupting mobility patterns <strong>and</strong>disagreement over new water points. However, themajority <strong>of</strong> practitioners remain focused on puttingin place physical infrastructure with little attentionto planning, effective management, operation, <strong>and</strong>sustainability, partially pushed by considerablepressure to meet targets. This lack <strong>of</strong> coherence inapproach is recognized by all actors as animpediment to sustainable development in therangel<strong>and</strong>s. Highlighted is an example related tocommunity contributions (Box 13).Box 13: Same location, differentapproachesEven though there are synergies between thegovernment’s PCDP <strong>and</strong> PSNP programs (whichoverlap in 9 woredas across the regions), thereremain fundamental differences in approach tocommunity engagement. The PSNP pays cash forwork on public works construction while thePCDP insists on a m<strong>and</strong>atory 5% cashcontribution from communities for allinfrastructure developments.Among NGOs, it has been observed thatcompetition over donor funds, competition overcommunity attention <strong>and</strong> the limited number <strong>of</strong>available technical government experts in areaspopulated by multiple NGOs, in addition to weakgovernment oversight all pose a challenge tost<strong>and</strong>ardizing what <strong>and</strong> how much communitiescontribute to water interventions. Furthermore,it is difficult to dem<strong>and</strong> community contributionsbeyond the maximum expected by establishedprograms (Behnke et al, 2008). Thus in areaswhere cash for work is the common practice,expecting communities to contribute monetarilybecomes extremely challenging.However, partnerships <strong>and</strong> dialogue betweendifferent stakeholders are beginning to emerge, indicating cross-fertilization <strong>of</strong> ideas <strong>and</strong> approachesbetween actors. In SNNPR, the head <strong>of</strong> the water bureau mentioned that positive responses to thePCDP’s participatory approach have been observed at grassroots level, <strong>and</strong> mainstream technicalexperts in government are beginning to learn from <strong>and</strong> adopt elements <strong>of</strong> this approach. It is alsoeasy for the water bureau to access <strong>and</strong> learn from the PCDP, as PCDP project personnel atregional level are housed in the same complex as the water bureau. The PCDP itself, with fundsfrom the Japan Development Fund, is now working with eleven NGOs to roll out its approach <strong>and</strong>activities (Belayhun Hailu 56 , personal communication).The PSNP is also actively promoting partnerships with NGOs to address capacity shortages withingovernment <strong>and</strong> promote knowledge sharing. There is also dialogue between the PSNP <strong>and</strong> PCDPto iron out differences in approaches to community contributions (Belayhun Hailu, personalcommunication). Furthermore at regional level, the Oromia Growth Corridors Plan invites NGOs<strong>and</strong> donors to participate in the implementation <strong>of</strong> the initiative, <strong>and</strong> regional implementers are56 Senior Officer - <strong>Knowledge</strong> Management <strong>and</strong> Participatory Learning, PCDP.75