Ethiopian Water Technology Institute (EWTI) is established by the Council of Ministers Regulation No. 293/2013 as one of the very essential institutes in August 2013. Its vision is aspiring to be a center of excellence in capacity building and technology transfer in water sector in East Africa in 2030. The vision targeting on the successful achievements of Ten Years Prosperity Plan of Ethiopia.
EWTI mission is to realize nationwide rapid development in the water sector through capacity building, research and study for technology transfer, specialized laboratory and TVET Support and competence service that improve the sector’s overall implementation capacity.
The main objectives of the institute are Facilitate the transfer of technology to those engaged in water development and related activities; Provide practical trainings to capacitate the existing and potentially joining manpower of the sector in cooperation with other technical and vocational education and training institutions and produce and build capacity of instructors required by technical and vocational education and training institutions.
Water is humanity’s most important element of life, and a fundamental economic factor. Where there is a lack of water, people generally suffer bitter hardships. Unequal distribution of water by humans or nature has the potential to induce conflicts. However, there is scarcely what could be called a general shortage of water.
The United Nations Report argues that the roots of the crisis in water can be traced to poverty, inequality and unequal power relationships. Therefore, what causes difficulties with water is mostly inadequate water management.
To improve water management, developing countries need comprehensive knowledge and capacities in dealing efficiently with water. Clearly, the people who use water and the organizations who manage the water sector need such capacities. But also of relevance is the enabling environment which, in the final analysis, determines the scope for action to develop the water sector. Improved water management, then, applies on a variety of levels.
EWTI is the only water capacity building Federal Institution which is given more than 25 Water, Irrigation and Energy trainings those are vital for the sector throughout Ethiopia.
Capacity building is a holistic process through which people; organizations and societies continually mobilize, maintain, adapt and expand their ability to manage their own sustainable development. This is what is meant by ‘capacity development’.
