In preparation for the new Water Law in Bulgaria, as well as the EU Water Framework Directive, the watershed council was set up as a pilot to test on-site effective and participatory approaches to river resource management in the Varbitsa River. The key lesson drawn is that participatory, open, citizen-friendly and bottom-up approaches are more efficient than top-down administrative approaches.
From 19-23 May 2014, the GWPEA in partnership with the Kenya Water Partnership and the Nile IWRM Net organised a regional training workshop on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) as a tool for adaptation to climate change. The training aimed to strengthen the capacities of the countries in the Nile Basin and regional organisations for understanding climate change impacts and develop and implement adaptation programmes.
“Karst Without Boundaries”, an international Conference and Field Seminar organized in the framework of the DIKTAS Project (Protection and Sustainable Use of the Dinaric Karst Aquifer System), was held from 11 to 15 June 2014 in Trebinje, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Lake Chad is an important resource, both in terms of economic development and biodiversity. However, unsustainable management of natural resources, population increase and desertification pose severe challenges. Action has been taken by the WWF and its partners to promote sustainable management. This case illustrates that independent organisations, such as WWF, can play a unique role as a catalyst and facilitator for change.
Don’t be left out of the premier regional event for water, wastewater and solid waste professionals in the Caribbean! Be a part of the 2014 Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) Conference and Exhibition which will be held at the Atlantis Resort in The Bahamas from October 6th - 10th, 2014.
Groundwater is a critical source of fresh drinking water for the citizens and also supplies irrigated agriculture in Shaanxi Province. Groundwater is also important in sustaining streams, lakes, wetlands, and associated ecosystems. In the meantime , effects of climate change on groundwater resources are closely linked to other global change drivers, including population growth, urbanization and land-use change, coupled with other socio-economic and political trends.
The national reserve Sur is deteriorating. Action has been taken by NGOs to initiate a project to restore water conditions in the reserve, including the interplay between water and soil. Despite the projects importance, it failed to be implemented due to conflicts with national authorities. This case illustrates the danger of EU initiatives being implemented without an active public involvement since this creates risks of low acceptance of local communities and land owners.
Irrigation infrastructure is crucial for economic development in Fujian. However, due to incomplete water management, the existing water facilities do not satisfy the current development. Action has been taken by the infrastructure department of Fujian provinces to cooperate with local farmers and organisations to explore participatory management and new mechanism of local water management. This case indicates that direct involvement of water users will result in rational use of water resources.
The WACDEP has launched its Young Professional Development Initiative. GWP is calling on Young Professionals in fields related to water management and development, who wish to enhance their professional capacity to express their interest in promoting youth and water engagement through the WACDEP country and regional programmes. Nine (9) Youth Professionals will serve on an internship basis in each of the eight WACDEP countries and in the WACDEP Coordination Unit (CU) in Pretoria, for a period of between six to twelve months.
About 120 representatives of competent institutions, authorities, regional and national NGOs, academia, representatives of the private sector from the Drin Riparians as well as international organizations and donor countries participated in the 2nd Drin Basin Multi-Stakeholders Conference (Tirana, Albania, 10 -11 December 2013).