Citizen participation in water protection management in Tulcán

The study analyzed citizen participation in the implementation of the ordinance for water protection in Tulcán, aiming to identify limitations, strengths, and opportunities to optimize community engagement in water management. Using a mixed-methods approach, surveys were conducted with 600 residents from urban and rural areas, alongside interviews with key stakeholders and focus groups involving 60 participants. The results revealed a significant gap in knowledge and participation between urban and rural areas. While the average level of knowledge was higher in urban areas (3.8 compared to 2.6 in rural areas, on a scale of 1 to 5), effective participation was also greater in urban zones (46% versus 31%). Limited dissemination of the ordinance, insufficient institutional resources, and a lack of trust in local authorities were identified as key challenges hindering the ordinance's objectives. Key recommendations included implementing inclusive information campaigns, strengthening community leadership, and leveraging accessible technologies to overcome communication barriers. The study emphasized the importance of promoting feedback mechanisms and developing incentives to foster citizen participation.