The project is developing alternative development scenarios in the village Dar es Salaam in the Dosso Region in Niger using suitable technology options as a basis for a participatory multi-stakeholder discussion, in order to facilitate a co-creation-process of a Nexus pilot project with the local community. In parallel, the project aims to build local capacities in order to anchor sustainable use of water in the region as part of a climate change adaptation strategy. In particular, the project analyses how the recharge of the groundwater aquifer using rainwater (managed aquifer recharge) can sustainably raise groundwater levels. This would enable the solar energy that is necessary to pump groundwater and that is being introduced through the pilot project to be partially used for other productive uses, thereby supporting socio-economic development. Furthermore, it is being analyzed how the soils can be regenerated using a managed grazing and a grassland restoration approach in order to enable the soils to store more moisture. This in turn would augment food security. As such, the project integrates water-, energy- and food security with regeneration of ecosystem services, thereby supporting social security. In addition, the project integrates climate change mitigation and adaptation in a holistic approach.
Part of the preliminary results of the project activities: A socio-economic survey of 124 out of a total of 400 households was carried out, which showed that, in addition to energy security, water security is the top priority. In Dar es Salaam, water security is only guaranteed for a few months of the year. However, an analysis using Geographic Information Systems and historical rainfall data determined that if rainwater were collected in 65 % of the area within the perimeter of the village, this would be sufficient to meet the annual water demand of the population.

Press release: https://www.th-koeln.de/hochschule/solaranlage-fuer-die-lokale-wirtschaft_76314.php