Following the success of 2 communes in the Dosso region, the LoCAL-UNCDF is now moving into phase 2

Two years ago, the women had to endure a real nightmare explains Mr Mamane Tourba, the Mayor of Dogon Kiria.They had to walk over 5 km everyday to fetch water or had to wait for hours to get a trickle of water from the village well.

The well in Bazinga was initially built in 1977 with the help of Japanese cooperation. Over time, it gradually filled with sand. Yet this well is of strategic importance because during the dry season, it is the only source of water in the area.

Despite the women’s efforts, their morale started to hit rock-bottom. This is when they informed the chief and the Mayor that the well was not deep enough to meet the needs of the village. With perfect timing, the LoCAL mechanism had just reached Sokorbé, classified as vulnerable to climate change. The city council rapidly voted to use the LoCAL grant for the rehabilitation of the well in Bazinga:

"We removed 5 meters of sand and the well is now 12 meters deep - it never lacks water anymore - much to the delight of the villagers" stresses Mamane Tourba, beaming a big smile.

The well is now deeper, and protected by a retaining wall. Every user must remove their shoes before entering the enclosure, as a protection measure against contamination. The run-off water is evacuated by a channel to avoid stagnation and is used to irrigate newly planted trees. They will soon start to give shade around the well. Animals can also come to drink from a specific channel.

Everyday the women of the village come to the well to get water they need for household consumption and for animals. They pay a monthly user fee. This money is managed by a committee that ensures the maintenance of the well. This ensures a better sustainable use of the well and its water.

In the two communes of Sokorbe and Dongo Kiria, LoCAL-UNCDF rehabilitated more than 8 wells and built 3 new wells. In total, 5826 people including 3901 women now have better access to drinking water.

But local governments have gone a step further. They also decided to rehabilitate 115 hectares of arid and unused land. The goal is to sustain and better manage the run-off rainwater. The soils can now better absorb the rain-water. This major achievement was made thanks to more than 3829 people that benefited from the 'Cash for Work'.

Idrissa Moussa of LoCAL-UNCDF in Niger says that what matters most, beyond the direct results of the projects, is the process that leverages the efficiency of local authorities and the equitable distribution of benefits to impact the most vulnerable populations.

As shown in Niger, LoCAL is a mechanism which can be tailored to specific country circumstances. It makes it possible to directly support the communes and their populations so that they can climate-proof and finance their development plans. LoCAL helps to coordinate public policies for adaptation and decentralization. It gives the choice to those most affected by climate change impacts to adapt to new conditions, to test new practices and to live with dignity. LoCAL also makes it possible to increase the level of funds made available to local communities.

LoCAL uses a demonstration effect to trigger further funding flows for local adaptation, including both national fiscal transfers and transfers of global climate finance through central governments to local authorities.

After two years, the results are convincing. The last evaluation mission concluded that the 2 communes had each met all the LoCAL-UNCDF requirements and attained good performance ratings. In 2015/2016, Sokorbe received a score of 75% and Dogon Kiria 70%. In 2016/2017, both communes scored over 77%.

Niger is therefore rapidly moving into the second phase of the implementation of LoCAL and can grow on the experience and skills now acquired by local administrations.

Through the use of country systems, LoCAL provides a mechanism that can replicate the Sokorbe and dongon Kiria experiences in other communes throughout the whole territory of Niger

Visit our website to find out more about LoCAL: www.local-uncdf.org