International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance

Rainwater was at the heart of a knowledge-sharing workshop organized by the International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance (IRHA) in partnership with the Senegalese Rainwater Harvesting Association (ASGEP). From April 15 to 16, 2024, in Djilor Djidiack, Senegal, this event brought together committed minds, including members from 14 Senegalese NGOs: Agrosol, ASPSP, Caritas Kaolack, Djigui Sembe, FADDO, Ferme des 4 Chemins, Gret, Fédération Kajoor Jankeen, Keur Yakaar, Kuu Tinaa, Océanium Dakar, UrbaSen, ASGEP, in collaboration with 6 organizations from the FGC: ASED, IRHA, JACO, SIT, Tereo, and Urbamonde, in the quest for sustainable solutions to climate challenges.

Through this initiative, IRHA aims to make rainwater not only an efficiently managed resource but also a catalyst for sustainable development. The workshop began with a reflection on the role of rainwater in the participants' respective projects, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Following a schedule rich in exchanges and discoveries, the participants explored different facets of rainwater harvesting. From theory to practice, including sharing inspiring experiences, each moment was an opportunity to enhance skills and promote a collaborative approach.

The water cycle was addressed in its complexity, highlighting the need for integrated watershed management. Technical solutions, such as vegetated stone cordons and blue schools, were presented and discussed, illustrating the diversity of possible approaches.

The field visit offered concrete perspectives, from calabashes to market garden plots, demonstrating the tangible benefits of sustainable rainwater harvesting. Interactions with local actors enriched the understanding of the issues and solutions adapted to each context.

In conclusion, this workshop marks the beginning of a journey, a collective quest for more responsible water harvesting. The recommendations made, derived from evaluations and exchanges, pave the way for future collaborations and initiatives. Rainwater, far from being a mere meteorological element, thus becomes the symbol of a common vision: that of a sustainable and resilient future for all.