World Waternet launches Catchment Challenge, based on a real-life case study from Tanzania
How do you allocate water when farmers, water companies, governments, NGOs and businesses all depend on the same source but have differing interests? In the new serious game Catchment Challenge, participants experience the complexity of collaboration in catchment management.
The game is based on the Mindu Dam in Morogoro, Tanzania. This dam supplies drinking water to more than 75 per cent of Morogoro’s residents and is vital for agriculture and economic development. At the same time, the catchment area is under pressure from climate change, soil degradation and growing demand for water.
Negotiating under pressure
Participants take on the roles of farmers, water supply companies, water managers, NGOs and political decision-makers, amongst others. With limited budgets, unequal power dynamics and changing weather conditions, they must decide together on the future of the catchment area. In doing so, ecological, social and economic interests clash.
“Success in water projects is not just about technology, but above all about collaboration. Catchment Challenge lets participants experience what happens when interests clash. It makes those dynamics visible and open to discussion, in a way that is both educational and fun,” says developer Madeleine Verhoef.
Developed from research and practical experience
Verhoef developed the game as part of her final-year research project in her Masters Resilient Farming and Food Systems at Wageningen University. She combined knowledge of socio-ecological systems and serious gaming with a Net-Map stakeholder analysis. Experts from Tanzania, World Waternet, the Brabantse Delta Water Authority, NWB fund and the serious gaming sector contributed to its development.
The game was tested during five pilot sessions involving a total of 37 participants. The pilots show that Catchment Challenge stimulates discussion, highlights different perspectives and provides insight into the interdependencies between stakeholders. Feedback from participants has been used to further improve the game.
Application in the water sector
World Waternet will be using the English version of Catchment Challenge at conferences, trade fairs and knowledge-sharing events for water authorities, drinking water companies, government bodies and international partners. The game offers an interactive way to discuss integrated water management and explore joint solutions.
If there is sufficient interest, World Waternet will investigate whether the game can be made available on a larger scale in Dutch and/or English.
