Why Fixing Malawi’s Water Crisis Depends on Participatory Development

A Skoll blog featuring the Water For People Malawi team’s work on participatory development for improved water service. Curbing political interference and establishing a Water Users Association in a Low-Income Area in Blantyre improved governance and water service – from 53.8 to 98.6% in 18 months.

Skoll | Why Fixing Malawi’s Water Crisis Depends on Participatory Development

It’s become clear that the participation of local people and community organizations in the design and implementation of service delivery models is critical for success. Top-down, technocratic development often fails. An alternative, participatory development philosophy has emerged in its place with the assertion that local people understand their needs and what solutions are likely to work.