Towards effective Global Water Governance (Core contribution to the Global Water Partnership)


Sound and integrated water resources management is needed more than ever to respond to the global water crisis and to translate the agenda 2030 on water into action. Multi-stakeholder networks such as the Global Water Partnership (GWP) play a crucial role in supporting inclusive decision-making and in moderating between different interest groups and perspectives to enable the creation and maintenance of momentum for coordinated action.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Global
Water
Water sector policy
01.01.2021 - 31.12.2025
CHF  2’412’500
Background Water is a fundamental human right and is essential for sustainable development – and it is under threat. Billions of lives are at risk because, in many parts of the world, water resources are managed poorly. Compromised by inefficiencies, struggling institutions, major data and infrastructure gaps, and a lack of inclusivity, the use of water is not adequately coordinated. As a result, scarce, polluted and poorly managed water resources are about to bring more and more countries to a breaking point, as additional pressures from climate change, population growth, urbanisation, and migration abound. A massive systems change is needed to allow countries to respond to the current crises and to provide clean and sustainably managed water to people.
Objectives The overall goal is to reach a water-secure world, by advancing governance and management of water resources for sustainable and equitable development. 
Target groups

The ultimate target groups are the populations that suffer from current mismanagement of water, in particular those living in water stressed areas.

The direct target groups are national governments, regional economic development bodies, river basin organisations, private sector, and community-based organisations.

Medium-term outcomes

Effective and inclusive water governance and management systems and investments are developed and implemented in the following strategic anchor areas:

-  Water solutions for the Sustainable Development Goals

-  Climate resilience through water

-  Transboundary water cooperation

Results

Expected results:  

- Key actors within and beyond the water
sector are engaged and multi-stakholder
platforms are established

- Interventions are delivered to foster and
demonstrate practice for integrated water
resources management

- Learning processes, products and platforms
are introduced in forms that are easily available,
attractive, social and timely


Results from previous phases:   GWP is an important and needed player in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). GWP’s main outcomes in the preceding phase lie in the governance improvements introduced by actors at all levels where GWP is active. GWP has supported over 80 countries in managing their water resources, manifested in about 260 water governance outcomes. These outcomes also brought financial returns: GWP-supported plans, strategies, and initiatives influenced water-related investments of more than 1 billion Euro. These included national water management policies and plans, investment plans, and river basin management strategies. 


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
Other International Organization
Private sector
  • Global Water Partnership
  • Foreign private sector North


Coordination with other projects and actors The support to GWP integrates well in SDC’s initiatives like intergrated monitoring SDG 6 (UN Water) and Transboundary Water Cooperation (River Basin Organisations, IUCN and UNECE). As GWP is a network reaching out to basically all players relevant for water governance, there are many synergies with SDC’s other projects and partners. GWP is notably a member of the Water Integrity Networks and Water Resources Group 2030 and works in partnerships with the Secretariat International de l’Eau (SIE) and other strategic partners of SDC.
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    2’412’500 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    1’293’000
Project phases Phase 9 01.01.2021 - 31.12.2025   (Current phase) Phase 8 01.11.2017 - 31.12.2020   (Completed) Phase 7 01.11.2014 - 31.12.2016   (Completed) Phase 6 01.04.2009 - 31.12.2013   (Completed)