Tunisia - Programme to Strengthen Drinking Water Agricultural Development Cooperatives

The support for the Programme to Strengthen Drinking Water Agricultural Development Cooperatives (GDAs) aimed at at reducing the technical and financial difficulties that the GDAs encounter in terms of network operation and maintenance, as well as recovery of operating costs. This support falls under the Second Water Sector Investment Plan (PISEAU II) cofinanced by the Government for up to 20%. In addition, it should be noted that this support to GDAs is in itself the implementation of one of the lessons drawn from PISEAU I, namely that institutional development actions are essential for consolidating the gains of a project of this nature. This support to DWS GDAs should mostly be provided in synergy with the operation by the French Development Agency to strengthen irrigation GDAs. Activities proposed are divided into two (2) major components, namely: (i) preliminary measures aimed at improving the working conditions of DWS GDAs and putting a stakeholder participation strategy in place; and (ii) technical assistance, supervision and training of DWS GDAs.