METHODS



Conseil villageois




With Eau Vive, the villagers are full players in their own development.

They:

  • Define their priorities and their projects - Eau Vive follows the schedule set by the villagers.
  • Finance their projects - the subsidy provided by Eau Vive complements the significant amount contributed by the villagers themselves as proof of their commitment.
  • Negotiate with local operators - to be fully capable of working within the market structure.
  • Develop the projects and ensure they are completed - to strengthen their skills at all stages of the project process.
  • Request the necessary authorization from the local authorities - to ensure compliance with national policies.
  • Create a sense of responsibility on the part of the villagers - they sign contractual agreements with the local authorities, the technical operators and Eau Vive.

The villagers involvement at all stages of the project ensures that the actors will be sustained over time and allow the communities to build their capacities thus increasing their self-sufficiency.

A step in the right direction towards a greater autonomy

Already motivated, the villagers need support to improve their living conditions. Eau Vive's work fosters and encourages village-led initiatives by:

  • providing advice to help the villagers prepare their projects - needs assessment, action plan development, understanding of their position with regard to national politics and society and progress monitoring.
  • Increasing local capacities - organization, training, negotiation and exchanges
  • Accompanying the villages - engineers, technicians and Eau Vive's partners assist in mobilizing the inhabitants and carrying out their actions.

Eau Vive provides the villagers with the tools and training necessary to be able to analyze and assess their projects. Furthermore, they sign a 10 year contract with the village to ensure that the changes are permanent.

Eau Vive has created a development approach that allows people to be independent, to take charge and to be active players in their own development.

This approach is based on principles that aim to:

  • Involve the local players: citizens, institutions, associations, companies, cooperatives, groups, etc.
  • Reinforce their role
  • Respond to the requests of the village communities
  • Be aligned with national development policies
  • Propose holistic solutions to fight against poverty

This approach ensures sustainability of actions and in-depth change.