Capacity building through direct participation in rural-urban communities in Brazil. Norma Angélica Hernandez-Bernal May 29th, 2013

Content 1.Introduction / background 2.Geographic and socio-economic aspects within the basin 3.Methodology 4.Results 5.Conclusions

Brazil – First law to deal with water issues, the Código das Águas, stated in Outorga; 1997 – Brazilian Federal Constitution. Water as of public domain and it was defined as of public wealth use – Creation of basin committees.(Water National Policy Law) Conflict derived from the perception of water as a commodity. Capacity building through direct participation in rural- urban communities in Brazil

The Rio Piedade basin is located in the western part of state of Minas Gerais. It is shared by five municipalities. -Multiple use of water; extension of properties; diversified interests. - Uneven distribution of water use permits affecting water availability.

-Three associations of stakeholders: 1. Alto Piedade; 2. Bebedouro (tributary of the Piedade river) and; 3. Médio e Baixo Piedade. - Agriculture enterprises, farmers, fishermen, urban and rural residents, 2 small hydroelectric power plants; water supply company.

UNESCO-HidroEX Foundation aims to contribute to the solution of the conflict over water uses that has emerged in the Rio Piedade Basin by actions in two fronts: 1)articulating and facilitating the dialogue between the civil society groups and authorities, governmental and from the basin committees at the local, state and national level and, 2)Empowering the community through training and capacity building actions and informal education directed to the civil population. This strategy conveys to provide the community of the tools to have a significant role in the management of the basin as a whole.

Methodology: Community Conversation which can help the community to identify and solve their own needs and problems. 1.To create a relation of trust and respect among stakeholders through dialogues, listening and observing; 2.Stakeholder-oriented valuation to take account of the values related to water resources and their uses; 3. Training and capacity building activities within the local leaders and governmental officials and other organizations which are responsible for water management. 4. Non-formal education through direct actions within the civil society.

In october 2012, HidorEX called to an assembly. 100 stakeholders attended the meeting. All the parts agreed on having HidroEX as the facilitator on the dialogues. During the meeting a questionnaire was applied. Only 40 farmers answered the questionnaire. 3.2% do not have any kind of water permit (outorga); Only one (1) of the 40 farmers was a woman; 52.6% have a moderated problem related to access to water; 10.52% declared a very severe problem on access to water. Responsibility for water scarcity and for the conflict: 0.8% -- Stakeholders up stream-; 1.2%-- Farmers downstream; 6%--Hydroelectric plant; 7%-- State government; 6%-- Federal government; 5.2% --basin committee.

Conclusions The lack of participation of the stakeholders in community activities related to the conflict reflects the scarce information they have on the subject. Misinformation on water and environmental laws. Stakeholders are not aware of the functions of the basin committees. Little knowledge on how federal government water agencies and state water management organism act. Lack of effective means to provide information by water management agencies.

Network of information has started among HidroEX, Uberlândia Federal University and the Lower basin association. -Maps; -GPS localization of all stakeholders’ properties within this area; -Identification of community leaderships. Three year project involving different partners who can participate with capacity building activities in rural and urban communities within the basin, field research and financial aid.

Purpose of 5th Symposium Thank you for your attention. Norma Angélica Hernández-Bernal Professor/researcher UNESCO-HidroEX