“Collective mapping of socio-hydrological issues as a tool for community development and water management. An experience from Chile”

Water is essential for life and community development. However, extractivist logics have altered water availability, increasing water insecurity and weakening community resilience. Socio-hydrological issues pose critical challenges for community development practitioners, social workers, and other professionals engaged in participatory work in river basins and water territories. This article describes and analyzes the practical implementation of a collective mapping process conducted with communities affected by prolonged drought in Chile, including women water rights advocates, environmental activists, and leaders of rural water rights associations. Its objective is to highlight the methodological potential of this process. This qualitative, exploratory-descriptive study incorporates elements of collaborative research on water management to facilitate collaborative analysis and dialogue. The findings indicate that socio-hydrological issues are both political and social, highlighting the value of collective mapping as it fosters inclusive dialogue, improves collaboration among actors, and facilitates integrated territorial analysis in response to environmental and water governance challenges.