Global Water Partnership presentation on Sustainable Financing of IWRM by George Sanga
The presentation covered Sustainable Financing of IWRM and the Support from Global Water Partnership in supporting the countries in achieving their goals. Firstly, a look was given at the current status of the SDGs, how countries are performing and the subsequent scores of IWRM implementation. There are various dimensions on IWRM implementation, and financing scores. “We should learn from each other, and we do not have to reinvent the wheel”. While planning, we should be matching the need to the funding.
Where is the money? Look at those that are not investing at all – private sector is a priority. Looking firstly at the priorities for the priority action plan for implementation.
Action should have the potential for being scalable and replicable.
If you finance, you have to know what you are financing – if you have the money you have to know what to do with it. So, they came up with an action plan. For example, if there is pollution see bottom again of the river – you have to know how to continue.
You can have a good water scheme but without water it does not work. Talking about economies of scale.
If you want to involve the community around the catchment, you have to involve and look at the sustainable livelihood opportunities. They need to be able to continue with their work.
GWP shares the necessity for the countries to join forces and to leverage the necessities and desires for water funding. GWP calls for action: get the water ministries, water resource services etc and get them to commit to water. Opportunities exist in global climate funding baskets. Historically, most countries in Africa have leveraged these funds with a focus mainly on energy and agriculture, but there is space for water. Competition within the country exists, but the GCF Readiness window you can be accessed – at least part of the $1 million country allocation; The countries need to access the 2024 allocation because the next cycle will be a 4-year phase which will be very competitive. In-country lobbying is the key as the GCF Readiness is a country allocation. GWP can support as a delivery partner if nominated.
Next to the in-country lobbying for increased budget and the community involvement, each partnership should look at national budget cycles and lobby for increased budgetary allocation to water/IWRM.
- For example, in Kenya it runs from July to June and before that, there is an important time gap. It is that moment when the rubber hits the road: look at how to lobby at that moment. Make a case proposal for IWRM so when it goes to the proper people they are actually involved. In 2019 the parliament added finances because of a well-documented proposal. It is low hanging fruit, GWP supports in order to access these.
Therefore, make a head start before the annual budget cycle.