Step 2 - Community meeting

The best-suited sites are visited and a dialogue with community is held. During this meeting, the project staff and community discuss the possible environmental and social impact of the development of sand dam within the area. The following information needs to be gathered.

• Assessing the water problems of the targeted communities. During a plenary discussion problems and possible solution should be discussed by the community. Ownership, number of beneficiaries and their participation and involvement, timing of construction are discussed.
• Organising meetings or group dialoguing concerning the development issues within the project area. Project staff, community members including influential persons, local administrators, politicians, elders (both men and women), youth leaders and any other development agencies within the area should participate in these meetings.
• Informing and educating the community members on the various types of water harvesting technologies, in particular the sand dam technology. Advantages, disadvantages, feasibility, site selection criteria, the construction process and the level of community participation will be discussed.
• Assessing possible sand dam locations with the community. The community will be involved in site selection based on their local knowledge of the area. The selected sites should be discussed with local authorities.