05-06-2025 | di COOPI

Venezuela. Empowering communities through water governance in Sucre State

In a country facing one of the most complex humanitarian situations in Latin America, reliable access to safe water remains a daily challenge for millions. In the eastern state of Sucre, COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale, with support from the European Union and in partnership with the Venezuelan NGO CEDISUC, has launched the project “Agua para la Vida” (“Water for Life”) to help restore this essential service in remote communities.

Fostering Trust and Community Involvement

Launched in early 2024, “Agua para la Vida” began with a series of community-wide meetings to introduce the project’s goals and build ownership among residents. These gatherings laid the groundwork for a collaborative relationship between COOPI, CEDISUC, local authorities, and the communities themselves. The focus was clear: any sustainable improvement must be driven by those who live with the problem every day.

During these early phases, COOPI and its partners prioritized working alongside existing neighborhood structures, like local water committees, while also identifying new opportunities to involve youth and women in leadership roles.

Local Committees: A Foundation for Resilience

Carmen, a resident of El Lirio de Guayacán, said:

I’ve never imagined being part of a committee, but now I feel proud to help shape solutions for my community’s future”.

As a key step toward community governance, the project supported the creation of six local committees, three focused on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and three on solid waste management. These groups were selected through public assemblies, where members were elected to serve in practical roles like organizing community meetings, helping track water usage, or ensuring financial transparency.

What makes these committees stand out is their inclusive makeup: over half of the leadership roles are now held by women and young adults. This is a significant achievement in a traditionally male-dominated context, and one that COOPI sees as essential for lasting change.

In the coming months, the committees will receive training in water system maintenance, waste handling, and leadership skills, tools they will need to ensure that community water systems remain functional and sustainable well beyond the project’s duration.

From Data to Action: Understanding Needs Holistically

To design interventions that truly respond to local needs, COOPI conducted both a technical and a participatory diagnostic in each community. The participatory process involved residents in mapping water challenges, analyzing their causes, and proposing locally grounded solutions. This was paired with a technical assessment, carried out in collaboration with local water authorities, to evaluate the state of infrastructure, from water sources and distribution networks to treatment facilities and wastewater discharge points.

These findings are now shaping the design of targeted rehabilitation works, including the potential installation of community-level water treatment systems tailored to the geographic and environmental realities of each village.

A Step Toward Dignified Water Access

“Agua para la Vida” is more than a humanitarian response, it is a concrete step toward restoring dignity, autonomy, and public health in underserved areas of Venezuela. In Sucre, COOPI and CEDISUC are not only helping to rehabilitate broken infrastructure, but also laying the foundation for stronger, self-managed communities capable of defending their right to water. With the support of the European Union, this project is a reminder that even in the most difficult contexts, sustainable solutions can emerge when communities lead the way.

COOPI has been active in Venezuela since 2019. With a community-centered approach, it promotes inclusive and sustainable humanitarian actions across multiple sectors. Its efforts focus on food security, health, WASH and protection.