Work package 2
WP2: Assessment of Collective Water Management by Water User Associations in Chile
This work package focuses on assessing the collective water management carried out by Water User Associations (WUAs) in Chile. In the country, these organizations are responsible for the local management and distribution of water. However, this model faces significant challenges: a high percentage of WUAs are not formally organized, and in many that are, user participation is low. This situation has led to the over-extraction of aquifers and conflicts. The objective of this WP is to analyze different cases of collective management, identify problems, barriers, and facilitators for cooperation, and find entry points for applying the international recommendations obtained in WP1.
WP 2.1: Chilean Case Study Analysis
This first stage seeks to analyze and compare the dynamics of different WUAs in Chile. To do this, a combined analytical framework (CIS Framework) will be applied, which is a robust tool for studying social-ecological systems. The methodology will focus on four water basins in the country, where semi-structured interviews will be conducted with WUA members. Through these interviews, their perception of the levels of participation and democracy within their organizations will be analyzed, as well as the barriers and drivers for fostering a more participatory system.
WP 2.2: Identifying Necessary Changes and Points of Entry
Once the diagnosis is complete, this second stage focuses on identifying the elements, processes, or rules that need to change to achieve more participatory local water governance. The main activity will be a prospective and participatory workshop that will bring together members of the studied WUAs along with public authorities. In this workshop, a shared vision of the situation will be discussed, factors affecting participation will be identified, and hypothetical scenarios will be explored to generate viable proposals that strengthen the collaborative management of water