The uncertain political situation in Afghanistan, which has persisted since the return of the Taliban, is also putting the organization of water management in the country under strain. The AWAGO research project intends to contribute to a better understanding of the role of government agencies, civil society, and the private sector, as well as formal and informal institutions, in water resource management and peacebuilding projects in Afghanistan. Based on a study region in Afghanistan and a mixed-method methodology, the project financed by the Volkswagen Foundation will give a novel theoretical explanation of observed patterns of cooperation and conflicts in water resource management, as well as model possible patterns that can emerge under different political regimes.
Along with the research goal the project will create a productive environment to support the Afghan researcher, Moshfeq Timory, in continuing doctoral research in Germany and contribute to his integration into the German academic society. The project benefits from the theoretical framework and knowledge developed within the Volkswagen Foundation funded project on institutional change in land and labour relations of Central Asia’s irrigated agriculture (AGRICHANGE) and cooperates with Dr. Iroda Amirova from the Center for Policy Research and Outreach at Westminster International University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
