The farmers in the Volta river basin generally rely on rain-fed agriculture. However, insufficient or irregular rainfall frequently puts farmers at risk of losing their crops. Farmers must have access to a reliable water supply to sustain their livelihoods. In line with the problems highlighted, the Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF) set out to find ways to strengthen the capacity of the famers, communities and other stake holders in the basin. As a lesson learnt, it is reasonable to expect stakeholders to adopt improved agricultural practices if such new practices are of their own benefit. Experiences show that stakeholders will only participate in innovation platform meetings when they see the value of doing so.
The GWP network celebrated World Water Day 2015 with a string of events throughout the world, from Central America to China. This a summary of some of the highlights, with links to reports.
Regional Day- Global Water Partnership, South Asia
Side Event: “From Risk to Resilience: South Asia Regional Framework for Sustainable Water Management
Budapest, 9 October 2013. Croatian children won the "International Danube Art Master 2013" competition, the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River and Global Water Partnership Central and Eastern Europe announced today at the Budapest Water Summit.
Vanh Mixap from Laos and Elisabeth Tarigan from Indonesia have been awarded the GWP-Ken Thiess Scholarship with the International WaterCentre (IWC) in Australia.
Bonn 19 May 2016 - Global Water Partnership (GWP) has launched a global programme to assist countries to implement the adaptation component of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – the climate plans submitted to the UNFCCC ahead of the Paris Agreement.
A capacity building workshop focusing on project preparation and financing in Zimbabwe for climate resilient projects was held at Monteclair Hotel in Nyanga from the 26th to the 28th of July 2015. The workshop was attended by 21 participants from selected government Ministries, such as the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate (MEWC). The workshop was aimed at equipping selected participants with information, knowledge and practical skills in the preparation of proposal writing involving mini hydro projects for possible funding. The feasibility study focused on Siya Dam mini hydro power generation project.
Youth are an integral partner in managing water issues – this was evidenced through the participation of over 30 youth that participated in the SADC Water Week held at the Maseru Sun Cabanas Hotel in Maseru, Lesotho from 21-23rd April, 2015. The event proved that engagement of youth in water management issues makes it possible for the youth to understand their roles as possible stewards in water management affairs. Held under the theme “From Vision to Action”, the youth were able to make personal commitment to solutions practicing better water management.
The online registration and the call for papers and proposals for the 5th Africa Water Week is now open. The deadline for papers and proposals is March 22nd 2014. The 5th Africa Water Week will be held in Dakar, Senegal from 26th to 31st of May 2014. Overall theme: Placing Water at the Heart of the Post 2015 Development Agenda!