Looking back at 2019

The article highlights the main achievements of Global Water Partnership Central and Eastern Europe working for a water secure region in 2019.

Highlights from the region

Global Water Partnership’s New Strategy 2020-2025 officially launched in the CEE region

On 16 October 2019, GWP CEE convened a session ”Who is at the Table? Mobilizing for a Water Secure World” at Budapest Water Summit, a high-level event for the region of Central and Eastern Europe. The session introduced GWP's new Strategy and focused on the indispensable role that must be played by broad, inclusive multi-stakeholder partnerships, which together mobilize to prevent water crises and to provide the solutions, governance, technology, financing to solve water problems. 

Drought resilience in the Danube region - accelerating the momentum

The Danube Drought Conference, held on 7-8 May in Vienna focused on the challenges and joint cooperation in the area of drought management in the Danube region. Emphasizing the importance of a joint approach towards proactive and integrated drought management in the region.  

Five Ministers Commit to Tisza River Basin Management

The ministers of the five Tisza Countries met in Budapest in September 2019 to commit themselves to implement the draft Integrated Tisza River Basin Management Plan (ITRBMP) prepared within the JOINTISZA project

Water-related SDGs implementation progressing in Ukraine

GWP Ukraine gathered stakeholders to evaluate the implementation of water-related SDGs in the country’s policy documents and legislation on 26 September 2019.The event took place in parallel with the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) of 74th UN General Assembly, where Ukraine reported on the progress in achieving SDG 6. 

Slovak and Czech stakeholders evaluate ecosystem services in Morava river basin

In January 2019, the German, Czech and Slovak partners of Danube Floodplain project organized a one-day stakeholder consultation meeting held back-to-back with a workshop on ecosystem services. 

Danube Art Master Competition 2019

Since 2004, the Danube Art Master competition has united children from schools, NGOs, clubs, daycare centres in 14 countries of the Danube Basin, who share passion for the rivers and art. 

New partnerships

GWP CEE and IAWD sign a Memorandum of Understanding

On 15 February 2019, Global Water Partnership Central and Eastern Europe (GWP CEE) and the International Association Of Water Supply Companies In The Danube River Catchment Area (IAWD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The Memorandum of Understanding is an excellent opportunity to complement the expertise and partnerships that the two organizations have built in their networks.

GWP CEE signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the EUSDR

In March 2019, Global Water Partnership Central and Eastern Europe and the EU Strategy For The Danube Region Priority Area 4 (Water Quality) and Priority Area 5 (Environmental Risks) signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Read more

Youth in water governance

Summer School participants design innovative concepts for a next-generation sustainable resort

The Summer School "When the stakes are high: Water Engineering and Global Diplomacy for Sustainable Cities. Decentralized Sanitation, Recycling and Zero-waste concepts" took place on 18.-28. June 2019 in Piran, Slovenia.

Intergenerational dialogue at World Water Week explores youth engagement in water governance

The session “How can intergenerational dialogue facilitate youth inclusion in decision making?” held at the World Water Week 2019 aimed to present three regional perspectives - from Central and Eastern Europe, Central Africa and Central Asia, as well as a global view on youth engagement in decision making in the water sector.  

Youth Voices Policy Choices dialogues in eight countries

In Autumn 2019, GWP CEE and emerging young water leaders organized 8 National Dialogues between youth and decision-makers in 8 Central and Eastern European countries.

New publications

How to Communicate Drought in a changing climate?

Global Water Partnership Central and Eastern Europe develops a Guide on How to Communicate Drought within its Integrated Drought Management Programme in Central and Eastern Europe, which aims to enhance the communication between water professionals and media expert about the issue of drought.

Updated version of the Integrated Tisza River Basin Management Plan

The main output of the JOINTISZA project is the ITRBMP Update, which includes the primary aspects of the Floods Directive, as well as the identified problems and suggested measures, to which contributed a basin-wide stakeholder consultation.

A Manual for Knowledge Development Tools and Knowledge Transfer in Urban Hydrology

The Manual was developed in the frame of JOINTISZA project and provides a holistic framework to link the knowledge on different water sectors in the city.

Guideline - Application of the Process Oriented Spatial Decision Support Tools

Developed in the frame of JOINTISZA project, the Guideline explores methods of urban hydrology for middle-sized citites in Central and Eastern Europe, based on concrete reference sites

New Handbook for Primary Schools Focuses on Current Water Issues

A new practical Guide for teachers was released in August 2019. It contains current information on water issues adapted to the level of student, various activities to ensure interactive and practical lesssons. The Handbook is designed in a flexible way, ie each activity can be used both individually and as a whole training block, which is suitable for all lessons.