[WLRC, Arba Minch, October, 2025] The Water and Land Resource Centre (WLRC) organized a community consultation session under its Basin Management Support for Resilient, Inclusive Growth and Harmonized Transformation (BRIGHT) Project on October 11, 2025, at Chano Dorga Kebele in Arba Minch Zuriya Woreda.
The consultation, conducted within the Hare Catchment of the Rift Valley Lakes Basin, aimed to strengthen collaboration between local community members and the BRIGHT project implementation teams. The discussions formed part of the project’s ongoing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) interventions in the area.
During the session, community representatives emphasized the importance of active participation and sustainability in implementing project activities. They expressed their commitment to contributing local knowledge and labor to ensure shared ownership and long-term benefits.
Experts from the Gamo Zone Agriculture Office highlighted the need for strong community ownership, explaining that since the project’s interventions address multiple local development issues, it is essential that all segments of the community are meaningfully engaged. The zonal experts further emphasized the importance of integrating community participation with local government leadership to ensure the project’s success and long-term sustainability. They underscored that sustainability is vital for maintaining project outcomes and securing lasting benefits for livelihoods and future generations.
The consultations were held simultaneously across the three ketenas of Chano Dorga Kebele, ensuring broad participation and inclusive dialogue. The event reflected the BRIGHT Project’s ongoing commitment to community-centered approaches, integrated resource management, and local partnership for sustainable basin development.