NEXUS Gains supports collective action for more inclusive, sustainable and effective governance of water–energy–food–environment systems. As part of this, the Initiative is developing a groundwater governance toolbox that groundwater boards and communities can use to achieve measurable changes in water productivity and sustainability. The institutional tools may include social learning interventions (e.g. behavioral games) as well as technical and policy measures to develop inclusive groundwater governance systems.
In this webinar, Ruth Meinzen-Dick will highlight the need for groundwater governance; Bryan Bruns will present the results of a review of existing institutional tools/policy instruments, and of a recent workshop to discuss how they could be crafted and combined to improve aquifer governance in particular contexts; and Pratiti Priyadarshini will share experiences from India on using experiential learning from games in combination with other tools to increase the motivation and capacity for community governance of groundwater.
NEXUS Gains is a One CGIAR Initiative examining water, energy, food and environment (WEFE) systems in transboundary bread-basket basins in East Africa (Blue Nile Basin), Southern Africa (Limpopo and Incomati basins), Central Asia (Aral Sea Basin) and South Asia (Ganges and Indus basins).
Presenters
Ruth Meinzen-Dick is a Senior Research Fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and leader of NEXUS Gains Work Package 4. She is a development sociologist with decades of experience in transdisciplinary research on governance of water, land and other natural resources.
Bryan Bruns is a sociologist, independent researcher and consultant with particular expertise in improving participation in irrigation, water governance and institutional development.
Pratiti Priyadarshini is Senior Program Manager and Group Head, Studies and Research at the Foundation for Ecological Security in India. Trained in political science and rural development, she has been working at the interface between research and community engagement, with a particular focus on water and other commons.