NGO mediation, gender and youth inclusion, and socio-economic feasibility of post-conflict water systems in Ethiopia’s Amhara Region

Abstract

In post-conflict rural Ethiopia, rebuilding water infrastructure requires restoring inclusive governance, yet the role of NGOs in mediating women’s and youth participation remains underexplored. This mixed-methods study investigated how NGO mediation shapes the socio-economic feasibility of sustainable water development following the 2020–2022 Tigray War. We surveyed 412 households and conducted interviews, focus groups, and field observations across three conflict-affected woredas in Ethiopia’s Amhara Region. Structural Equation Modeling tested relationships between Women’s Technical Empowerment (WTE), Youth Meaningful Engagement (YME), NGO Mediation Quality (NGO_M), and Project Socio-Economic Feasibility (SEF). The conflict damaged 73% of water points; post-rehabilitation functionality stood at only 58%. Women dominated daily operational tasks but were largely excluded from technical leadership. Youth experienced tokenistic inclusion and resistance from older generations. NGO mediation showed the strongest direct association with socio-economic feasibility, but its indirect associations through WTE and YME were limited. High-inclusion WASHCOs achieved 88.5% fee collection compared to 45.2% for low-inclusion counterparts, demonstrating inclusive governance drives financial sustainability. Sustainable post-war water systems require shifting from nominal participation to institutionalized, transformative empowerment. We recommend mandating women’s technical leadership quotas, establishing youth-led innovation platforms, and extending NGO project timelines to 36–48 months to enable social transformation. All procedures received ethical approval from Debre Tabor University (Protocol No. DTU/IRB/023/2024).