Transforming participation in water governance: the multisectoral alliances of rural water committees and NGOs in Nicaragua

Abstract

This paper examines new forms of political participation on the part of rural water committees in Nicaragua in the mid-2000s. In particular, it explores the role of multisectoral alliances in facilitating water committees’ (1) physical mobility and political visibility, (2) political and legal capacity-building, and (3) access to state channels of representation. Contributing to theories of social capital, this case reveals a transformation of participation in water governance from locally grounded collective action for water management to engagement in public policy processes. In practical terms, the paper casts lessons for improved water governance via more inclusive policy processes.

KeyWords:

• Rural water committees
• democratic participation
• public policy
• water governance
• social capital
• Nicaragua