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Southern Africa

Harnessing IWRM Knowledge for Use in the Management and Development of Shared Water Courses

The Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA) is an implementing partner for SADC providing programmatic support to the implementation of the RSAP III and is providing support to increasing engagement of stakeholders within the Phase III of the Transboundary Water Resources Management Programme. In the RSAP III, GWP SA is included as an implementing agent in delivering components of the SADC/ GIZ“Mainstreaming Climate Change in the SADC Water Sector”. The programme aims to ensure that more investments are made in the management and development of shared water courses and is being implemented under three work packages, namely:Work Package 1 (WP1) – Increasing and harnessing knowledge for us, Work Package 2 (WP2): Increasing stakeholder involvement; and Work Package 3 (WP3): Increasing Investments. 
In this regard, GWPSA is facilitating four studies within the SADC region, under work package 1 – “Increasing and harnessing knowledge for use”, with the following objectives:

  • A study within the Orange – Senqu river basin aimed at assessing the most vulnerable areas, people and sensitive sectors. The study seeks to establish the adaptive capacities of the local communities in the identified areas. The study is meant to build a social argument/case for the importance of investing in the adaptive capacities of the local communities so as to be able to cope with the impacts of climate change.
  • An assessment of water resources management and development financing in the SADC region (14 countries) in order to build an economic case/argument for increasing investment in the water sector with a view of increasing resilience to climate variability and climate change. The assessment is meant to provide a “reference framework” to help decision-makers think through the needs and options for funding Water Resource Management &Development, as well as the best use of existing resources in order for countries to be resilient in the face of climate change.
  • An assessment on how SADC countries are implementing the SADC Regional Water Policy. As countries are implementing areas within the RWP through national policies and legislation and in some cases by implementing actions on the ground, the assessment at national level will look into legislation and actions on the ground. The objective of the study will be to establish how far countries have gone in implementing the Regional Water Policy within their countries and also draw out experiences and lessons on implementation of different areas in the countries.
  • An assessment aimed at capturing local indigenous knowledge systems and practices in water resources management and development contributing to increased resilience of communities when faced with changing climatic conditions. The assessment will cover the SADC region and is meant to build a social argument/case for the importance of institutionalising these practices and thus allocate resources towards their promotion and preservation.

GWPSA finalised the development of the four concept notes during the month of February 2013, called for an EOI, and is currently in the process of engaging the consultants.

Further information on the studies may be obtained from:

Michael Ramaano
GWPSA Regional Programmes Officer
Email: m.ramaano@cgiar.org

Page last edited: 8/2/2013