Methodology for the Assessment of Institutional Frameworks for Water Resources Management: Fid-Bau Portal

Methodology for the Assessment of Institutional Frameworks for Water Resources Management

Ben Lamoree, G. / García, Luis E. / Perez, Raul / Castro, Edmundo

One of the root causes of deficient water resources management is the absence or insufficiency of capable institutions responsible for integrated water resources management. On the basis of the need to adequately facilitate the design of water resources sector reform programs, the Inter-American Development Bank developed a methodology for assessment of institutional frameworks for water resources management that distinguishes a constitutional, an organizational, and an operational function in water resources management. This paper presents experiences with the use of that methodology and, in particular, evaluates the use of questionnaires and the importance of stakeholder participation in the assessment process. Two case studies are presented from projects in which this methodology was applied: one from Costa Rica and one from the Dominican Republic. The authors conclude that both the conceptual framework for the assessment of institutional frameworks and the questionnaire methodology for the consultation and participation of stakeholders are very useful tools. With respect to the questionnaire methodology, the finding is that, in the design stage of a water resources management sector reform program, its usefulness lies mostly in its capacity to involve stakeholders and make them part of the development of the reform program.