Non-Governmental Organizations Transboundary Water Resources October 20, 2005 Tyler Jantzen

The World of NGOs 6,000 NGOs Worldwide (some estimates as high as 40,000) 6,000 NGOs Worldwide (some estimates as high as 40,000) ~10% of Global ODA or ~$8B ~10% of Global ODA or ~$8B Range in size from Red Cross to just a few employees Range in size from Red Cross to just a few employees Target a variety of issues Target a variety of issues PovertyPoverty HungerHunger HealthHealth The EnvironmentThe Environment

Less pressure from change in politics Less pressure from change in politics Small scale projects Small scale projects More community involvementMore community involvement Can be individually tailored to meet specific community needsCan be individually tailored to meet specific community needs Higher “success” rateHigher “success” rate Less bureaucraticLess bureaucratic A more “human” face A more “human” face Advantages of NGOs

Disadvantages of NGOs Constant funding difficulties Constant funding difficulties Possible lack of legitimacy Possible lack of legitimacy Difficult to regulate Difficult to regulate Can lack transparency and accountability Can lack transparency and accountability Can be ineffective due to lack of coordination Can be ineffective due to lack of coordination

Types of NGOs Water Resource Related NGOs Environmental/ Ecological Focus Water Supply And Sanitation Focus Policy and Government Lobbying Implementation of Community Projects Network of other NGOs Professional Membership Organization Research and Data Collection Education Transboundary Water Issues Many Others

Development Organization Inter-relationship

Example: Green Cross Green Cross International Green Cross International Promotes legal, ethical and behavioral norms that ensure basic changes in values, actions, and attitudes of government, the private sector, and civil society, necessary to build a sustainable global communityPromotes legal, ethical and behavioral norms that ensure basic changes in values, actions, and attitudes of government, the private sector, and civil society, necessary to build a sustainable global community Prevents and resolves conflicts arising from environmental degradationPrevents and resolves conflicts arising from environmental degradation Provides assistance to people affected by the environmental consequences of wars and conflictsProvides assistance to people affected by the environmental consequences of wars and conflicts

Green Cross Programs Conflict Prevention Conflict Prevention Addressing Environmental Impact of Conflict Addressing Environmental Impact of Conflict Promotes environmentally-safe elimination of weaponsPromotes environmentally-safe elimination of weapons Promoting Values and Behavior Changes Promoting Values and Behavior Changes Right to Water Campaign Right to Water Campaign

Conflict Prevention: Water for Peace Working directly with governments in transboundary watersheds to remove obstacles to integrated and cooperative water management Working directly with governments in transboundary watersheds to remove obstacles to integrated and cooperative water management The JordanThe Jordan Parana- La PlataParana- La Plata VolgaVolga OkavangoOkavango VoltaVolta DanubeDanube

Water for Peace: The Jordan River Basin- Phase I Studies and assessments of the current extent of the conflict Studies and assessments of the current extent of the conflict Strategy development Strategy development Increase water use efficiencyIncrease water use efficiency Develop new sourcesDevelop new sources Bring water policy decision makers togetherBring water policy decision makers together Pilot educational projects Pilot educational projects Recommendations to governments Recommendations to governments

Example: Water for People Supports sustainable drinking water, sanitation and hygiene projects Supports sustainable drinking water, sanitation and hygiene projects Vision: A world where all people have safe drinking water Vision: A world where all people have safe drinking water Targets goal 7, target 10 of U.N. Millennium Development Goals: Targets goal 7, target 10 of U.N. Millennium Development Goals: “Reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water…”

Water for People: Projects Projects in: Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, Malawi, India, Vietnam Partner with local NGOs and communities Provide cultural expertise Increases ownership Requires first step by community: community initiative Funds workshops, health and hygiene education Funds technical and managerial training for local water committees.

Water for People Funded by private individual donations, EPA, foundations, American Water Works Association Funded by private individual donations, EPA, foundations, American Water Works Association 2004 working expenses: $2M, of which $1.6M spent directly on projects in developing countries 2004 working expenses: $2M, of which $1.6M spent directly on projects in developing countries Solicits grassroots participation for fundraising and publicity Solicits grassroots participation for fundraising and publicity

Questions for Discussion How does the overlap of NGOs hinder or help their goals? How can these organizations collaborate and better share information and resources beyond creating just another NGO networking website and organization? How does the overlap of NGOs hinder or help their goals? How can these organizations collaborate and better share information and resources beyond creating just another NGO networking website and organization? How does the involvement of NGOs in transboundary water negotiations and agreements complement the work of the various governments involved? How does the involvement of NGOs in transboundary water negotiations and agreements complement the work of the various governments involved?