Transforming Rural Water Access in Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia
Access to safe drinking water remains a significant challenge in rural Ethiopia, exacerbated by inadequate sanitation and ineffective community management of Water Supply Schemes (WSS). Frequently, rural WSSs are found to be unreliable or to malfunction shortly after installation. Additionally, the limited capacity of local Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Committees (WASHCOs) to oversee these systems further complicates the situation.
The current situation impedes advancement toward Sustainable Development Goal 6, which seeks to guarantee universal access to safe drinking water as a fundamental human right. Recent assessments emphasize the need for robust management frameworks for Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) systems. Such frameworks rely on consistent oversight and effective communication among community stakeholders, private sector entities, and partnering organizations.
What were the Challenges?
Several key factors contribute to the failure of water systems. A prominent issue is the absence of an effective community management structure. Many communities are reluctant to pay for operation and maintenance (O&M) fees, and the management of spare parts is frequently insufficient. These challenges largely arise from a lack of a clear framework to manage the ongoing costs associated with the operation and maintenance of water supply systems.
Government support for water management is often limited, leaving rural households without the necessary financial resources and technical expertise to effectively operate these systems. Additionally, many communities lack formal organizations to oversee water points, raise funds, or coordinate repairs. As a result, when water systems fail, they often remain non-functional, forcing households, particularly women and girls, to travel long distances for water, which leaves entire communities without reliable access to this vital resource. Water and Sanitation Committees (WASHCOs) are typically established by contractors or local authorities with little input from the community, complicating system management and exacerbating ongoing issues.
Cognizant of this problem, Helvetas, together with the regional government and other stakeholders, designed the Youth Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Rural Services (YES-Amhara) project to address the high rate of non-functional rural water schemes, poor access to safe drinking water, inadequate sanitation facilities, and unreliable community-managed water systems in the region. By empowering youth through entrepreneurship, the project aims to create sustainable solutions that improve water and sanitation services, provide economic opportunities for young people, and enhance community ownership and participation. This holistic approach ensures long-term benefits and fosters better WASH governance, ultimately improving health and livelihoods in rural communities.
The relationship between Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Committees (WASHCOs) and Youth Enterprises (YEs) is established and strengthened to ensure the provision of affordable and sustainable rural services within the targeted intervention woredas. This project aims to promote and support youth enterprises, formalize water users' associations, and create a conducive environment. The goal is to establish a sustainable and self-sufficient market for post-construction water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to enhance year-round access to safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water for the community.
Project Achievements
The YES Amhara project has been in operation since 2021, focusing on the development of sustainable and affordable WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services and rural initiatives that enhance economic growth and the well-being of rural communities in the Amhara region. The project has made notable progress in its key areas: empowering enterprises, ensuring sustainable water supply, and strengthening community resilience.
To date, thirteen youth enterprises have been successfully established, consisting of 68 members, including 23 women. These individuals have received extensive training in entrepreneurship, life skills, business management, and technical skills specific to their sectors. Each enterprise has obtained a trade license, allowing it to operate legally and efficiently.
To support YEs in delivering comprehensive services to rural communities, the project established a revolving loan fund of over 3 million ETB through collaborations with Tsedey Bank and cooperative societies and savings and credit unions. This initiative has stimulated local economic development and fostered sustainable youth-led enterprises.
Additionally, the project has made significant strides in improving community ownership and management. A total of 394 Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Committees (WASHCOs) have been formalized (154 through the scale-out process), enhancing the management of community-based water schemes. Collectively, these WASHCOs have mobilized approximately 4.3 million ETB to aid in the operation and maintenance of water systems. As a result, 408 vulnerable individuals have gained employment through initiatives led by the WASHCOs.
Youth enterprises have played a crucial role in managing 226 water supply schemes, benefiting a total of 276,055 people, including 98,433 women. These initiatives have not only enhanced access to clean water but also promoted youth employment and entrepreneurship, generating approximately 2.9 million ETB in revenue for these enterprises.
Strong relationships between Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Committees (WASHCOs) and youth enterprises ensure they can effectively meet community demands for affordable post-construction WASH and rural services. Because these enterprises are always present in their communities, they can respond quickly to service requests, provide essential spare parts, and carry out regular maintenance of water systems. This proactive approach reduces downtime, enhances functionality, and makes water services more affordable and accessible for everyone.
Breaking Barriers: Hareg’s Journey to Success
In the heart of Ethiopia’s WagHemra Zone, a young woman’s story is reshaping perceptions and inspiring change. At just 23, Hareg Mamo from Sekota has broken through gender norms and economic hardship to become a thriving entrepreneur in a field traditionally dominated by men.
Hareg held a Level III diploma in Sanitary Installation from a TVET institution, an impressive achievement by any standard. Yet, the qualification alone didn’t unlock the opportunities she had hoped for. Without hands-on experience in water scheme maintenance, Hareg struggled to find meaningful work. For four years after graduation, she remained financially dependent on her family.
“After graduating from TVET, I lived with my family and relied on them financially for four years,” Hareg recalls. She further said, “This situation left me feeling helpless and anxious, and over time, it fostered a dependency mindset.”
Everything changed for Hareg when she discovered the HELVETAS Ethiopia YES Amhara project, an initiative aimed at enhancing youth employment through enterprise development in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector. Recognizing a valuable opportunity, she promptly registered with the Sekota District Labor and Training Office. Meeting the necessary selection criteria, she became a member of the Abebaw, Awetu, and Friends' water scheme maintenance and spare parts supply enterprises.
Thanks to the support of the project and collaboration with various stakeholders, Hareg and her team received comprehensive training in both soft skills and technical areas, practical apprenticeships, access to a fully equipped workspace, maintenance tools, spare parts, and even a motorbike for fieldwork. This extensive support package was transformative. Hareg finally acquired the practical skills she had been seeking. With every water pump she repaired and every village she served, her confidence continued to grow.
Today, Hareg earns a steady income and is helping to expand the enterprise’s services. The team now repairs and maintains water systems and sells spare parts, ensuring quicker and more sustainable solutions for the communities they serve.
Harg Mamo 23, while repairing a water pump at Blrbir (village near Sekota town, WagHemera zone of Ethiopia), 2024
Hareg's journey from dependency to empowerment is a testament to the transformative impact of the YES Amhara project. She gained hands-on experience in water scheme maintenance, restoring water supplies, and bringing happiness to villages. Her enterprise not only repairs and maintains water schemes but also sells spare parts, further enhancing their services.
Looking Ahead
The YES Amhara project is a shining example of how empowering communities to manage their own water systems can lead to sustainable development. By fostering collaboration between the government, private sector, and community members, the project has created a robust framework for maintaining water supply systems and improving sanitation. As the project continues to evolve, it aims to further strengthen Youth Enterprises, enhance community ownership, and ensure the long-term sustainability of rural services.
Through initiatives like YES Amhara, HELVETAS Ethiopia is paving the way for a brighter future, where rural communities have reliable access to essential services and opportunities for economic growth. Hareg Mamo's story is just one of many that highlight the profound impact of this project, inspiring hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
The YES Amhara project has not only improved access to clean water but also strengthened community cohesion, ownership and transparency. By empowering youth and fostering community ownership, the project has restored dignity and instilled hope in rural communities. Looking ahead, the project plans to diversify the services offered by Youth Enterprises, including the production and supply of liquid soap, to further enhance rural livelihoods.
