Urban-rural water security in water funds? An analysis from power relations, participation and co-creation of knowledge

In the last two decades, water funds (FA) have gained importance as conservation mechanisms for water and its sources. These promote a series of agreements between various actors who participate in dialogues held in contexts of high socioeconomic and political inequality. Thus, FAs have managed to connect peri-urban and rural populations, inhabitants of strategic water ecosystems, with important water users such as cities, hydroelectric plants, public, private and multinational companies, among others. Under the water justice approach, this article analyzes the type of participation that the different actors involved have in the co-creation of knowledge around water security promoted by different FAs. The article illustrates two case studies, the first in Ecuador (Fund for the Management of the Tungurahua Paramos and the Fight Against. Poverty (FMPLPT) and the second in Colombia (Bogota Water Fund). We conclude that these FAs focus their efforts in urban contexts. and they pay little attention to rural water security.