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The project aims at contributing to global and local knowledge networks for solving real life water supply and sanitation (WSS) problems in developing countries in view of reaching the MDGs. Based on an account of failures of WSS interventions in the last decades, ANTINOMOS aims at making an impact through bridging contrasts (between conceptual approaches, or between perceptions of global and local knowledge networks) and knowledge gaps (between knowledge areas which have only recently been recognized by decision makers as a key issue in reaching the MDGs). The core part of the proposal will be devoted to try to bridge these contrasts and knowledge gaps. For this purpose, special attention will be devoted to link state-of-the-art technological advancement in WSS with local resources and grassroots innovations, in order to enable context-specific learning opportunities for more sustainable solutions to real water problems.

First, based on a systems approach, a number of technological systems and practices for WSS will be studied and analysed. Both technological systems based on “outside knowledge”, i.e. “expert knowledge” as well as systems based on “inside”, i.e. “indigenous knowledge”, will be studied.

Then, special learning devices and knowledge management tools will be developed (where feasible in cooperation with international and local knowledge networks) and applied, in order to foster cross-fertilization between knowledge frames and global-local interaction.