Healthy forested watersheds support consistent flow year-round, mitigate erosion and landslides, and contribute to climate resilience. Small-scale hydropower can incentivize communities to tap into and revive traditional ecological knowledge, in order to protect and restore watersheds and enable reliable energy access. (See our Earth Voices feature series for examples of indigenous communities that are harnessing the interconnected benefits of watershed restoration and small-scale hydro.)
To better understand best practices for integrating watershed restoration and community hydropower, we look to insights from Nicaragua. In the video presentation provided below, we had the privilege to present the exemplary work of the Rural Development Workers Association Benjamin Linder (or ATDER-BL) and the Association for the Development of Electrical Service in Bocay (or APRODELBO). ATDER-BL and APRODELBO have been advancing rural energy access in Nicaragua since 1987, while restoring many acres of watersheds in partnership with local communities.
Presented by HPNET Secretariat member Jorge Nieto Jiménez