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Multi-stakeholder collaboration for the governance of water supply in Wolkite, Ethiopia

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Abstract

To maximize the values of water, there is an increasing understanding that good management of the technical and non-technical aspects of water supply requires the active collaboration of stakeholders. However, little research exists that covers the social aspects of water supply governance. This qualitative exploratory study explored the collaboration of stakeholders in governing water supply in the urban context in Wolkite Town. Using interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis, the study thematically explored the reasons for weak collaboration among stakeholders in governing water supply and the ways of improving it. It shows that although there are some forms of cooperation between some stakeholders, the governance arrangement is monopolized by a few sectors. This has become the bureaucratic origin for the lack of smooth communication, emergence of conflict, narrow conception of water supply, and lack of mutual understanding. A framework that rearranges the existing governance pattern has to incorporate the principles of decentralization of responsibility, the formation of intermediary organizations, and the integration of water supply with broader urban sustainability programs.

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Fig. 1

Source: Adapted from “Collaborative Governance in Theory and practice,” by Ansell and Gash (2007)

Fig. 2

Source: Wolkite Town Administration Office (2018). SNNP (SNNP is one of the regional administrations in Ethiopia. Wolkite Town is one of the zone administrations in SNNP according to 1995 constitution of Ethiopia.) stands for Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia

Fig. 3

Source: Author’s own data-based assessment of documents and reports of Wolkite Town Water Supply Office (2019)

Fig. 4

Source: Author’s own data, 2019

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Notes

  1. Bojaber is one of the water supply projects in Wolkite Town.

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The authors express their gratitude to the editor and anonymous reviewers for their constructive and helpful comments.

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Correspondence to Wassihun Gebreegizaber Woldesenbet.

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Woldesenbet, W.G., Kebede, A.A. Multi-stakeholder collaboration for the governance of water supply in Wolkite, Ethiopia. Environ Dev Sustain 23, 7728–7755 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-020-00943-3

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