Networking is at the roots of the evolution of the WASSAN and it is a core element of the institutional design. More than a field of action in itself, networking is the spirit and strategy of the organisation. WASSAN evolved in 1995 as an informal network of NGOs and as an advocacy forum. Since then the network members have been the greatest strength to WASSAN. The conceptual framework of networking evolved during the visioning exercise in 2003. WASSAN has a differentiated partnership. A service based network membership was is formalized in 2003 (see network policy & membership form). The membership fee is fixed at 200, 500 and 2000 rupees for individuals, organizations and networks respectively. Since the network is based on service provisioning, value conformity is not insisted upon. A major transition is taking place since 2003-04 to expand partnership with Community Based Organisations, Mandal Mahila Samakhyas. So far, 53 NGOs, 9 MMS, 6 networks and 3 individuals have membership with WASSAN.

Annual Network Meetings (ANMs)

Training strategy

Technology Resource Group

Partnerships

Consortium of NGOs

Solidarity Institutions

LEAD Advocacy Network (LAN)

Research and Advocacy Partnerships

Initiation of Network processes in other states

Lessons from DANIDA Experiences

HIDF Partnership

Annual Network Meets (ANMs): ANM has been a major advocacy forum since the beginning. It is growing in strength every year enriched by the participation of NGOs, CBOs, and Unions. Key government officials and activists look forward to issues raised and debated in these annual meets. ANM 2004 is a major milestone when the Agriculture Labour Unions and Mandal Mahila Samakhyas participated and deliberated on key issues related to wages and employment.

Training strategy is totally a networking effort. Building collaborative spaces among the organisations, pooling of competencies, and liaison with the state government to facilitate operational spaces for the organisations are some of the efforts. Forming Pool of Resource Persons, Capacity Building Networks and the initiative of networking the NGO/ CBO Cluster level Livelihood Resource Centres are examples.

Technology Resource Group: In an effort to open up networking space among the technical organisations and individuals a Technology Resource Group was initiated with Dr. J. Venkateswarlu as the Chairperson. Scientists, engineers and persons with longstanding experience in technology issues from CRIDA, ANGR Agriculture University, ICRISAT, AFPRO, government departments and other organisations deliberate on technological issues related to natural resources management. The Group has undertaken studies on field practices on Continuous Contour Trenches and issues related to restrictions on taking up bunding activities in watershed development programs. The Group contributed to developing Technology Options manual for the Comprehensive Land Development Project.

Partnerships: WASSAN has partnership with several organisations. Formal collaboration has recently evolved with Andhra Pradesh Mahila Abhivruddhi Society (APMAS). Close partnership exists with several Mandal Mahila Samakhyas (MMS) mainly Kosgi and Daulatabad mandals in Mahabubnagar district, while collaborating with other MMS in Bomraspet, Addakal, Pangal and Pedakottapally mandals in Mahabubnagar and Midtur and Orvakal in Kurnool district.

Consortium of NGOs: As part of advocacy process initiated in ANM 2004, WASSAN was able to conceptualize the role of resource organizations from voluntary sector in watershed development program, along with senior officers of Government of Andhra Pradesh. Consortium of Resource Organizations is an outcome of this thinking process. MYRADA, WOTR, BAIF, APMAS, Rural Development Trust, Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Outreach, MARI are some of the prominent members of the consortium from voluntary sector, while CRIDA, ICRISAT and ANGRAU represent mainstream knowledge centers. AMR APARD is the nodal agency for the Consortium of Resource Organizations, while WASSAN is functioning as a secretariat. There is also a Core Group consisting of members from AMR APARD, CRD and WASSAN which actually takes up the capacity building further. The main purpose of the Consortium of Resource Organizations is to guide the state government on issues related to capacity building. These organizations also are also requested to anchor district/ Cluster level resource centers and strengthen the capacity building agenda at the cutting edge level. WASSAN actively facilitated the entry of several other local resource organizations such as Timbaktu Collective, BAIF, Outreach, MYRADA, APMAS, ASDS, Adarsha Welfare Society, Mandal Mahila Samkahya, Kosgi to function as Cluster Level Resource Centers. The Consortium of Resource Organizations is expected to support and strengthen this agenda in a professional manner. Since Dec 2004, the Consortium of Resource Organizations met two times.

Solidarity Institutions: WASSAN emerged from the Centre for World Solidarity. Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Centre for People’s Forestry, National Dalit Forum and Bodhi are the other organisations, which also have emerged. All these organisations though independent, work in close partnership. A convergence platform among the solidarity institutions facilitates such convergence of work and pooling of competencies.

LEAD Advocacy Network (LAN): WASSAN is a partner of the LAN, a national network that has emerged from the partners of Livestock Environment interactions in Development Study taken up in five states. The network works for enhancing pro-poor livestock related livelihoods initiatives by strengthening practices of sustainable natural resources management and by promoting an enabling environment. CALPI of SDC-IC supports the network.

Research and Advocacy Partnerships: Many of the research studies are taken up in partnership with several organisations across the country.

Initiation of Network processes in other states: A Study on Processes in watershed program in India is taken up in 7 states across the country. Each state has an anchor organisation and in two states i.e. Orissa and Nagaland the state governments are anchoring the study. The partners of this ICEF supported study are Pradhan (Jharkhand), AFPRO (Chattisgarh), NCHSE (Madhya Pradesh), ARAVALI (Rajasthan), Arthik Anusandhan Kendra (U.P). Each of these anchor organisations will initiate network processes within the state to take the agenda forward.

Lessons from DANIDA Experiences: This study is taken up as a research network partnership with Poverty Learning Foundation, Andhra Pradesh and WOTR, Maharashtra. The three organisations would continue such research partnership in future also.

HIDF Partnership: Effective collaboration is emerging with HIDF, Bangalore on Institutional Development and Gender related Capacity Building initiatives

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