On Monday, 11 May 2026, World Waternet, in consortium with AUXFIN and Agriterra, officially handed over 98 digital tablets to G50 groups in the Tannounyan region, formerly known as the Cascades region, in southwest Burkina Faso. This milestone is part of the ECDD GIRE project and marks an important step in strengthening digital capacity building and knowledge sharing on Integrated Water Resources Management and climate-resilient agriculture.
Strengthening water governance through community action
In March 2026, the ECDD-GIRE consortium launched the WaterCoach, an interactive training tool designed to educate local communities on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), sanitation and hygiene practices (WASH). The WaterCoach contains video tutorials on techniques such as infiltration dikes, stony ridges, and grassy contours.
This initiative forms part of a broader effort to reinforce Integrated Water Resources Management through digital innovation, capacity building and community-driven action. The project places a strong emphasis on improving local water governance while enhancing agricultural resilience in the face of climate change.
At the heart of the intervention is a community-centred approach that combines training with field-based support. Local actors are equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to better manage water resources and strengthen their economic resilience. Through Local Water Committees, Water User Committees and agricultural cooperatives, communities are supported in adopting sustainable water management practices and climate-smart agriculture, contributing to inclusive socio-economic development.
The G50 model in action
A G50 consists of up to 50 households that share a tablet containing the WaterCoach application. Each group elects its own leadership with attention to gender and age balance. Field agents provide regular support and help strengthen group governance. Within this framework, AUXFIN is deploying its G50 approach through a digital platform supported by eCoaches. These eCoaches provide practical guidance in areas such as water, sanitation and hygiene, financial literacy, health and agricultural practices. The aim is to make relevant, easy-to-use knowledge continuously accessible to beneficiary communities.
From distribution to real impact
Across the municipalities of Banfora, Toussiana, Orodara, Douna, Sindou and Kankalaba, 98 G50 groups have recently been established and equipped as part of this initiative. The digital tablets will support these groups in launching their activities, organising regular meetings and strengthening their digital literacy. They will also give members access to practical learning materials on financial management, savings, sustainable agriculture and water resource management.
By introducing these tools at group level, the project takes an important step towards accelerating community resilience and fostering inclusive digital transformation in rural areas. The tablets are not only a resource for learning but also a means to strengthen collaboration and collective action within communities.
A shared commitment on the ground
The handover ceremony brought together representatives from the participating municipalities, the Noula and Haute Comoé Local Water Committees, technical teams from the Cascades Water Agency, as well as representatives from World Waternet, AUXFIN and the beneficiary G50 groups. The event highlighted the collaborative effort behind the initiative and the shared commitment to its success.
Looking ahead
Through this activity, the ECDD-GIRE consortium and its partners reaffirm their commitment to promoting innovative, inclusive and community-driven solutions. These efforts aim to strengthen local water management, improve social and financial inclusion and support the transition towards sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture in Burkina Faso.
The project is financially supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
