ABREVIATIONS
|
AfDB |
African Development Bank |
CARDS |
Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and
Stabilization |
DG |
Directorate General (of the Commission of the European
Union) |
EECCA |
Eastern Europe , Caucasus and Central Asia |
EIB |
European Investment Bank |
EMWIS |
The Euro-Mediterranean Information System on the know-how in the
Water Sector |
EU |
European Union |
EUWI |
European Union Water Initiative (or sometimes referred as simply
the Initiative) |
FEMIP |
Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment Partnership |
FYROM |
Former Yugoslavic Republic of Macedonia |
GEF |
Global Environment Facility |
GWP-Med |
Global Water Partnership - Mediterranean |
IFIs |
International Financial Institutes |
IWRM |
Integrated Water Resources Management |
MAP/UNEP |
The Mediterranean Action Plan of the United Nations Environment
Programme |
MDGs |
Millennium Development Goals |
MED EUWI |
Mediterranean Component of the European Union Water
Initiative |
MIO - ECSDE |
Mediterranean Information Office |
NAMCOW |
North Africa Ministerial Council on Water (under the AMCOW) |
NSSDs |
National Strategies for Sustainable Development |
ODA |
Official Development Aid |
OECD |
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development |
PRSPs |
Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers |
WFD |
Water Framework Directive (of the European Union) |
WSSD |
World Summit on Sustainable Development |
Preamble
The present document, entitled MED EUWI Work Programme 2005 is
linked to the three-year MED EUWI Activity Plan (amended as
appropriate), specifying activities that will be implemented in 2005.
The Activity Plan, prepared and discussed in 2004, provides the
overall background of the EUWI and MED EUWI, including its development
goals, programmatic objectives and outputs.
The Work Programme 2005 focuses on nine (9) specific Activities
corresponding to five (5) programmatic objectives, out of the nine (9)
Objectives elaborated in the Activity Plan.
The identification of the priority programmatic objectives and the
related activities suggested in the draft Work Programme 2005 was
made:
a. in line with the defined MED EUWI priorities, as they are
presented in the Activity Plan.
b. following consultations held in 2004 with various stakeholders in
the EU and the Mediterranean. The consultations included government
representatives from EU and partner countries; EU Commission services,
including DG ENV, AIDCO and RES; EU and non-EU funding institutions;
and water stakeholders.
c. aiming for a rational financial breakdown. The latter is presented
in the attached tables as 'secured', 'tentative' or 'under
negotiation' (these terms are used to distinguish between funds
committed, funds which allocation is still pending and funds for the
allocation of which possibilities still need to be explored).
Cooperation and funding prospects by the EU Commission (primarily
AIDCO, and recently RES) are underway, while France and Italy have
expressed interest to support activities within MED EUWI.
The draft Work Programme 2005, was presented at the 4th Meeting of
the Mediterranean Multistakeholder Working Group, 17 January 2005, in
Brussels. It was enriched by points raised during the meeting and
finalized incorporating comments and inputs received afterwards.
Part A of the 2005 Work Programme makes reference to the general
context, setting and modalities of MED EUWI, while Part B describes in
detail the proposed activities to be undertaken (commenced and/or
implemented) in 2005. These Activities are also presented in the
Annexed consolidated Table. ToR (or Project Descriptions) are
available for Activities the implementation of which has started or is
under-way.
A. The Mediterranean Component of the EU Water
Initiative
A.1. Introduction
The European Union Water Initiative (EUWI) was established as a key
contribution to the implementation of the WSSD agreements and
programme of action and to help achieve water-related MDGs and WSSD
targets, providing a platform for strategic partnerships.
The Mediterranean Component of the EU Water Initiative (MED EUWI)
shares all its objectives and it seeks to make significant progress in
poverty eradication and health, in the enhancement of livelihoods, and
in sustainable economic development in the Mediterranean and
Southeastern Europe. It also seeks to serve as a catalyst for peace
and security in the region.
A.2. Objectives
The main objectives of the MED EUWI are to create a higher
efficiency of water-related development by providing a platform to
co-ordinate and streamline existing and future activities, aiming
to:
- Reinforce political commitment to action and raise the profile of
water and sanitation with view to poverty reduction
- Promote better water governance arrangements including stronger
partnerships between public and private sectors and local
stakeholders and build institutional capacity
- Improve co-ordination and co-operation moving towards sector wide
approaches, assisting multi-stakeholder processes to reinforce
partnerships for action
- Develop regional and sub-regional co-operation by assisting in
the application of integrated water resources management including
transboundary waters to contribute to sustainable development and
conflict prevention.
- Develop additional and innovative funding mechanisms and catalyze
additional funding.
A.3. Partnerships and Modalities
MED EUWI is open to all partners willing to commit to the
objectives, targets, and guiding principles, having genuine
willingness to work with others seeking practical solutions.
Partnership refers to partnership between the EU and the Mediterranean
and Southeastern European countries as well as partnership between
government, civil society and the private sector. Non-EU donors and
international organisations (including the OECD, UN Organisations and
Agencies, IFIs etc) are also invited and encouraged to joint the
Initiative.
In line with the general Organisational Framework and Modalities
for the EUWI, a regional Multi-Stakeholder Working Group guides the
development of the MED EU WI and of its priorities for action while a
Multi-Stakeholder Forum provides related advise. The Component is led
by the government of Greece (Ministry for Environment, Physical
Planning and Public Works and Ministry of Foreign Affairs). A MED EUWI
Secretariat, within the Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean
Secretariat, provides technical support and day-by day running.
Political commitment for the development of MED EUWI has been
already expressed at various Ministerial Conferences and Meetings,
inter alia: the EU Informal Council of Environment Ministers (May
2003, Athens), 5th Pan-European Ministerial Conference of the
"Environment for Europe" process (May 2003, Kiev), Euro-Mediterranean
Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs (May 2003, Crete), two
meetings of the North African Ministers Council on Water (February and
October 2003, Cairo) as well as at the EU Council of Environment
Ministers (December 2003).
A.4. Geographical context
The area of activity of MED EUWI comprises, the following non-EU
Partner Countries:
In the South and East Mediterranean - Algeria, Egypt, Jordan,
Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia
and Turkey.
In the Southeastern Europe - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Croatia, Former Yugoslavic Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Serbia and
Montenegro as well as Bulgaria and Romania which have currently a
special status in relation to the EU (accession countries).
The following Map presents the area of activity of MED EUWI.
A.4. Themes
Τhe MED EUWI focuses on the following Themes:
Sectoral |
Theme1 (TH-1) |
Water supply and sanitation, with
emphasis on the poorest part of the societies. |
Theme 2 (TH-2) |
Integrated water resources management,
with emphasis on management of transboundary and national water
bodies. |
Theme 3 (TH-3) |
Water, food and environment
interaction, with emphasis on fragile ecosystems. |
Theme 4 (TH-4) |
Non-conventional water resources. |
Cross-cutting |
Theme 5 (TH-5) |
Transfer of technology, transfer of
know how, capacity building and training |
Theme 6 (TH-6) |
Education |
A three-year MED EUWI Activity Plan has been elaborated and
discussed among competent stakeholders in 2004. Its purpose was to
translate the agreed Themes into interrelated Programmatic Objectives,
Outputs and specific Actions, where possible according to available
resources and interest from partners and donors.
The Programmatic Objectives that have been defined in the Activity
Plan were nine (9); these are divided to four (4) Thematic (1-4) and
five Horizontal (5-9) Objectives. The MED EUWI Programmatic Objectives
are:
Thematic
Objectives 1-4 respond to respective priority Themes identified
as areas of implementation during the MED EUWI Preparatory Phase.
Their related Outputs described in the Activity Plan are mainly
developed through small scale pilot demonstration activities aimed to
be implemented at national and local levels, supported by regional /
national baseline assessments.
Objective 1 (OBJ-1) |
Initiate programme on water supply and sanitation, with emphasis
on the poorest parts of the society |
Objective 2 (OBJ-2) |
Initiate programme to support national and transboundary IWRM
plans |
Objective 3 (OBJ-3) |
Initiate programme to support sustainable water use in
agriculture and its integrated management for sensitive water
ecosystems |
Objective 4 (OBJ-4) |
Initiate programme on non-conventional water resources |
Horizontal
Objectives 5-9 respond to horizontal priorities of the EUWI
aiming to assist in building the knowledge basis, facilitating
better coordination and enhancing effectiveness through activities at
the regional and national levels.
Objective 5 (OBJ-5) |
Strengthen underlying institutions and build capacity |
Objective 6 (OBJ-6) |
Improve coordination between the actors involved in water
resources management at the country level |
Objective 7 (OBJ-7) |
Enhance funding for the supply, management and development of
water resources and sanitation |
Objective 8 (OBJ-8) |
Improve transfer of technology and the use of existing and new
scientific knowledge to achieve water-related MDGs |
Objective 9 (OBJ-9) |
Promote education on water issues |
The following table presents the framework linking the MED EUWI
Themes with the Programmatic Objectives.
Thematic Programmatic
Objectives |
Themes |
Horizontal Programmatic
Objectives |
OBJ-1 . Initiate
programme on water supply and sanitation, with emphasis on the
poorest parts of the society |
TH-1.
Water Supply & Sanitation
|
OBJ-5. Strengthen underlying institutions and
build capacity
|
OBJ-2. Initiate
programme to support national and transboundary IWRM plans |
TH-2.
Integrated Water Resources Managemen
|
OBJ-6. Improve coordination between the actors
involved in water resources management at the country level |
OBJ-3. Initiate
programme to support sustainable water use in agriculture and its
integrated management for sensitive water ecosystems |
TH-3.
Water, Food and Environment
|
OBJ-7. Enhance funding for the supply,
management and development of water resources, and sanitation |
OBJ-4. Initiate
programme on non-conventional water resources |
TH-4.
Non-Conventional Water Resources
|
|
|
TH-5.
Technology transfer and capacity building
|
OBJ-8. Improve transfer of technology and the
use of existing and new scientific knowledge to achieve water
MDGs |
TH-6.
Education
|
OBJ-9. Promote education on water issues |
A.5. Expected results
The MED EWI gives particular emphasis to the regional priorities of
the Mediterranean and Southeastern Europe, within the EUWI overall
scope. These priorities, needs and strategies are defined in
partnership with governments, the Commission and major stakeholders,
targeting to
- assist design of better, demand driven and output oriented water
related programmes,
- facilitate better coordination of water programmes and projects,
targeting more effective use of existing funds and mobilization of
new financial resources and,
- enhanced cooperation for project's proper implementation, based
on peer review and strategic assessment.
MED EUWI is expected to contribute to major processes in the region
ie. the New Neighbourhood Initiative, the Euro-Mediterranean
Partnership, the Mediterranean Commission for Sustainable Development,
etc.
In addition, a Joint Process between the EU Water Framework
Directive (WFD) and MED EUWI has been launched within 2004. The Joint
Process is a tool for combining EU and non-EU expertise and means
under the umbrella of the EUWI to facilitate the implementation of
sound water policies.
Key areas where the MED EUWI could make a difference are likely to
include:
- Promoting water as a cornerstone of sustainable development
- Raising the programmatic profile of water in PRSPs and NSSDs of
partner countries
- Coordinating funding for water in a better way among the partners
of the Initiative
- Linking together the wide range of financing ideas, networks and
mechanisms that currently exist for water in the Mediterranean and
Southeastern Europe so as to cover gaps and needs in partner
countries
- Supporting better project preparation facilities
- Supporting the elaboration of a wider range of models for water
sector restructuring in addition to involving private sector
participation by competent international operators.
B. MED EUWI Work Programme 2005
B.1. Overall
The present document is linked to the three-year Activity Plan
(adopted in 2004 and amended as appropriate), identifying the specific
Outputs and Activities that will commence or will be implemented in
2005.
The Work Programme 2005 focus is on five (5) Programmatic
Objectives out of the overall nine (9) outlined in the three-year
Activity Plan:
Objective 2 (OBJ-2) Initiate programme to support national and
transboundary IWRM plans
Objective 4 (OBJ-4) Strengthen underlying institutions and build
capacity
Objective 5 (OBJ-5) Improve coordination between the actors involved
in water resources management at the country level
Objective 7 (OBJ-7) Enhance funding for the supply, management and
development of water resources and sanitation
Objective 8 (OBJ-8) Improve transfer of technology and the use of
existing and new scientific knowledge to achieve water-related
MDGs
The identification of the Programmatic Objectives and their related
Outputs and Activities to be tackled in 2005 was made according to the
defined MED EUWI priorities and financial resources available or
pending for this year. The classification used for funds as "secured,
tentative or under negotiation" intends to distinguish between funds
committed, funds which allocation is still pending and funds for the
allocation of which possibilities still need to be explored.
The Work Programme 2005 distinguishes between regional activities
and country based activities. For the national activities, division is
also made to those that will be implemented in South & East
Mediterranean counties and those aimed for Southeastern European
countries.
B.2. Regional Actions
Objective 2
(OBJ-2) |
Initiate programme to support national and
transboundary IWRM plans |
ACT-2005- 1 |
Assessment of Regional and National Frameworks to Implement IWRM
in the South & East Mediterranean and Southeast Europe |
The assessment aims to provide a status description and comparative
analysis of regional and national frameworks for implementation of
IWRM principles in countries of MED EUWI in the South & East
Mediterranean (11 countries) and Southeastern Europe (7
countries).
Following preparation and approval of terms of reference, this desk
study (including survey visits where required) will review by country
the achievements and present status of policy, institutional,
legal/regulatory and economic/financial instruments and
accomplishments for national level application of IWRM. Transboundary
issues will also be considered, as appropriate.
The assessment will present, inter alia, the extent of
fragmentation or integration in the country with respect to water
resources planning, allocation, regulatory and management decisions.
Moreover, it will present concrete steps in terms of obtaining
political commitment and acceptance at senior management levels,
getting policies approved, establishing legal, institutional and
financial arrangements and implementation, public participation and
capacity building processes.
It will also identify types of interventions and - where possible -
concrete actions, that should be taken on a country cooperative and/or
individual basis to more fully address IWRM in planning and management
programs. Brief descriptions of lessons learned and good practices in
applying IWRM in countries of the region will be part of the
assessment.
The assessment will be elaborated based on IWRM principles,
guidelines and background developed by spesialised and competent
international organizations and institutions. It would also make
reference to the EU WFD concept and requirements as well as to the
UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary
Watercourses and International Lakes, where applicable.
Among other, the activity responds to the priorities of the Athens
and Petersberg Processes on integrated management of shared waters in
the region. The activity will build on existing work and cooperate
with on-going initiatives like the assessments of UNDP/Arab Water
Council/CEDARE and GWP-Med/CEDARE. In terms of financial support to
the activity, Greece is exploring possibilities for providing a start
up budget for the commencement of the activity.
Objective 2
(OBJ-2) |
Initiate programme to support national and
transboundary IWRM plans |
ACT-2005- 2 |
Baseline Assessment of Regional and National Frameworks to
Implement IWRM - The WFD/EUWI Joint Process |
The Joint WFD/EUWI process aims at developing synergies between the
two mechanisms to facilitate the implementation of sound water
policies. That means, in EU countries, facilitate the implementation
of the WFD and in other countries, facilitate the development of good
water management practices, which is a prerequisite for sustainable
drinking water and sanitation projects, and therefore, a contribution
to the achievement of the water-related MDGs.
Sharing experiences between countries or basin authorities
belonging to the same ecoregions and thus facing similar challenges
could facilitate the implementation of water management policies.
The Med Joint Process encourages the establishment of a network of
water experts, volunteers for sharing their own difficulties and ready
to get experiences from other basins or countries.
To achieve this objective, the Med Joint Process aims at developing
a mechanism to ensure the flow of information and knowledge between
water managers / experts from both sides of the Mediterranean.
The role that Med Pilot River Basins could play is of particular
interest in this framework. They cover a broad scope of problems
frequently encountered in the North Mediterranean countries. But
similar situations are encountered also in the Southern and Eastern
border of the Mediterranean Sea, exacerbated by additional factors
such as intensive and increasing demand for irrigation purposes,
faster growing population and improvement of standard of living.
The experience gained by the Med PRB, particularly on the
development of River Basin Management Plan could be valuable for other
basins in the area. On the other side, specific know-how already
developed by non-EU countries facing the same challenges could bring
interesting solutions for EU basins and thus could facilitate the
implementation of the WFD.
Three Working groups are created on the following issues:
- Water scarcity management;
- Groundwater management;
- Linking rural development and agriculture to water
management.
Objective 2
(OBJ-2) |
Initiate programme to support national and
transboundary IWRM plans |
ACT-2005- 3 |
Sub-Regional Activities for enhancing the status of national
IWRM planning in South Mediterranean (North African countries) |
Many countries in the South Mediterranean (North Africa)
sub-region, are currently in a stage of institutional reform,
orienting priorities and practices towards an IWRM approach, with
various levels of planning and implementation.
With a focus in the countries of North Africa, the proposed
activities will take stock and build upon the findings of ACT-2005-1
on the current status of national IWRM planning and the countries'
readiness to respond to the IWRM Target of WSSD.
A regional workshop will be organized providing a platform among
policy makers and technical experts for exchange of experiences on
lessons learned and good practices on key IWRM planning issues and
assisting in identifying priorities, challenges and gaps for the
effective implementation of the national IWRM plans.
Furthermore, the activities will assist the host country (Morocco)
to progress on its national dialogue on IWRM planning, will facilitate
a meeting of the North African Ministers Council for Water (NAMCOW),
and will raise awareness on MED EUWI and on the African Water
Facility, recently launched by the AMCOW and the African Development
Bank (AfDB).
Terms of reference for the activity have been developed. The
activity will be primarily supported by the African Development
Bank.
Objective 4
(OBJ-4) |
Strengthen underlying institutions and build
capacity |
ACT-2005- 4 |
Capacity building for decision makers and experts on integrated
shared water resources management in Southeast Europe |
Ninety percent of water resources in Southeastern Europe countries
fall within shared river basins and international lakes while more
than half of these waters are shared by three of more riparian
countries. Water quantity and quality management, navigation,
management of emergencies and balancing of conflicting interests are
among the main challenges encountered in the region. These issues are
becoming more complex because of the differences in socio-ecomonic and
cultural conditions, geography, managing institutions and laws among
countries.
Building and sustaining capacity within water and water-related
institutions at technical, institutional, legislative and managerial
levels, emerges as a cornerstone for promoting effective
implementation of IWRM concepts, tools and policies. In this respect,
developing and disseminating capacity building programs through
training materials, toolkits or document which address specific
concerns of a range of stakeholders at sub-national, national and
regional levels, present effective tools for accumulating, sharing and
using relevant knowledge in the field.
The activity includes:
(i) An assessment of the current status of transboundary river
basins and international lakes in Southeastern Europe: The assessment
will provide information about physical and socio-economic
characteristics of major shared water bodies; will describe impacts,
uses, needs and demands, as well as, key managerial aspects,
achievements, challenges and constraints for each area; and will
provide recommendations for priority action to be undertaken.
(ii) The organisation of three (3) capacity building workshops, of
3 days duration each: Each workshop will have a focus on a specific
transboundary river (eg. Neretva, Sava, Drina) or lake (eg. Prespa,
Ohrid) and one specific theme (eg. legal basis for cooperation,
organisation of joint management commissions, financing joint
management, access to information and public participation). The
workshops will be hosted by different countries of the region and by
competent joint river or lake commissions.
(iii) The development of related capacity building material for the
participants, according to the selected priority themes: The material
will draw on experiences of the international community and local
expertise developed in shared water bodies of the region. It will
comprise of an introduction to the theme, case studies and
presentations developed by local experts and copies of existing key
technical and awareness material on the theme addressed.
(iv) The set-up and facilitation of an information exchange network
on shared waters in Southeastern Europe, aiming to strengthen
communication between decision makers and experts and assist in
experience sharing on related issues.
The activity is part of the GEF IW:LEARN Portfolio 2004-2006 and it
is primarily supported (financially of in kind) by GEF IW:LEARN,
Germany, Greece, GWP-Med and the World Bank. Terms of reference for
the project have been developed.
Pending on availability of financial resources and interest by
donors, the Activity could be further expanded to cover also countries
of South & East Mediterranean.
Objective 7
(OBJ-7) |
Enhance funding for the supply, management and
development of water resources and sanitation |
ACT-2005- 5 |
Assessment and methodological framework for the financial
requirements to meet MDGs/WSSD targets related to WSS in the South
& East Mediterranean and Southeast Europe |
The assessment aims to provide an estimate of the expenditures
needed to achieve the MDG/WSSD targets for water supply and
sanitation, while adequately maintain existing infrastructure. The
expenditure needs to be estimated will be divided by type of
expenditure, country and sector as relates to water supply and
sanitation. A preliminary estimate of the costs of IWRM (on a country
level) and estimate of the available finance for IWRM could also be
possibly delivered.
In addition, the assessment will provide an estimate of already
available finance in the sector and realistic forecasts of the future
supply of finance according to different policy options (e.g. revenues
from charges, expenditure from public budgets, international donor
grants and ODA loans from donors / IFIs, financing by private sector
etc).
Recommendations on financing strategies for achieving the targets
in the MED EWI partner countries might also be part of the assessment
as well as proposals on legal and institutional reforms needed to
achieve the targets.
Terms of reference are available, elaborated together with the OECD
(EAP Task Force). The ToRs foresee in depth work in four countries (2
in South & East Mediterranean and 2 in Southeastern Europe) and
extrapolation of the results to cover all the MED EUWI partner
countries. The ToRs also include country visits and coordination
workshops to overview progress. The methodological part of the
assessment will be elaborated in coordination with and largely benefit
by the corresponding activity foreseen within other Components of the
EUWI.
It should be noted that this is an extended assessment, with budget
requirements that exceed the present capacity of the Component.
Therefore, there might be need to adjust to resources availability. In
this context, Greece is exploring possibilities for providing a start
up budget for the commencement of the activity.
Objective 7
(OBJ-7) |
Enhance funding for the supply, management and
development of water resources and sanitation |
ACT-2005- 6 |
Strengthening long term sustainable financing for the
environment and water resources in the Mediterranean |
In the short and medium term international loans and donors may
play a strong role as a catalyst to strengthen and improve
environmental and water related action. However, building financial
arrangements, that, in the long run, will facilitate affordable
sustainable financing for the environmental and water sectors will
have to rely mainly on optimization of domestic resource mobilization,
allocation and management. A survey of existing and potential
financing mechanisms in the region will provide the background for
this process (in coordination with ACT-2005-5).
The study, together with additional on going work on innovative
financing from the region (under ACT-2005-5) will be presented at a
regional workshop between Ministries of Finance/Economy, Water
Resources and Environment (the participation of regional and
out-of-region donors and IFIs is also explored) to facilitate
awareness building and discussion and demonstrate long term financing
mechanisms. It is envisaged that such a workshop may progressively be
developed into a regional network or process to facilitate domestic
solutions for strengthening the long term financing and provide advice
in implementation of national action programmes to achieve the MDG and
WSSD targets.
A concept note has been developed by UNEP/GPA. Financial support
for the activity is under negotiation with UNEP/MAP and GEF.
Objective 8
(OBJ-8) |
Improve transfer of technology and the use of
existing and new scientific knowledge to achieve water-related
MDGs |
ACT-2005- 7 |
Transfer of results from EC RTD activities towards South &
East Mediterranean countries |
The European Commission have been funding a wide range of Research,
Training and Development (RTD) projects related to water issues that
have and are still generating varied information and knowledge
resources. Most of these projects are outlined on EUWI website set up
by the DG Research (
http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/water-initiative/index_en.html).
The development of a more dynamic service to access relevant projects
is also under development. But it will be necessary to localise this
information (without duplicating it) in order to make it easier to
comprehend and utilised by water stakeholders from the partner
countries. This will be done through explanatory notes, taking into
account the local culture and needs. A briefing document on the
instruments and opportunities available for the South & East
Mediterranean countries to exploit the results of EC RTD activities
will also be prepared in close cooperation with EC services.
Ongoing and completed projects will be analyzed to prepare
overviews of EU funded RTD activities taking place (or completed) in
each South & East Mediterranean country. These overviews will be
published online and disseminated to public authorities of the
concerned countries, international donors etc.
Finally, a preliminary mapping of the results of EC RTD projects
with South & East Mediterranean countries will be established on
the basis of existing information, i.e. results published by the EC
and country needs expressed in their national strategic plans.
Detailed terms of reference are pending. Financial support for the
project will be negotiated with DG Research and EU Member States.
B.3. National Actions
Objective 5
(OBJ-5) |
Improve coordination between the actors involved
in water resources management at the country level |
ACT-2005- 8 |
Country dialogues for prioritization of national needs related
to water ODA and identification of existing gaps |
Country dialogues will be organised in at least two countries of
South & East Mediterranean, aiming to facilitate a
multi-stakeholder consultation with emphasis on water supply and
sanitation and IWRM, primarily for :
- identifying gaps and emerging deficiencies in current priorities
and implementation processes to achieve MDGs / WSSD targets.
- identifying insufficiencies and bottlenecks in key prerequisites
posed by donors for investments in the country, on the water
sector.
In the long term the national policy dialogues are expected to
contribute to:
- higher reliance on the recipient countries own planning,
priorities and strategies,
- implementation of truly demand driven activities,
- introduction of new modalities for cooperation,
- harmonization of donor procedures,
- implementation through national institutions and making use of
existing knowledge and skills and identification of gaps in knowledge
and capacity jeopardising future impact;
- joint donor-supported programmes for capacity building and
interventions in countries with weak institutions,
- piloting of innovative financing mechanisms, and
- a better socio-economic justification for increased spending on
water sector development.
Discussions will be based on a brief background assessment that
will describe current status of WSS situation and IWRM application. It
will provide basic country data, status of water sector reform,
governance and institutional capacities, gaps, types of priority
interventions to be made and financing mechanisms to support them. The
assessment will largely benefit from ACT-2005-1 and ACT-2005-3. Survey
/ interview visit(s) and a kick-off meeting will be organised as
appropriate.
The findings of the dialogues will be transfer into a roadmap to
achieve the water related MDGs and to guide further donor planning.
The roadmap should include identification of the implementation
capacity (knowledge, people and institutional assets) available in the
country at national and local level that are already mobilised or
could realistically become so and should include a broad financing
strategy to support the roadmap.
The host country's government will be expected to act as or mandate
a convenor for the multi-stakeholder forum and to ensure an anchorage
of the process within their national institutional structure. The
multi-stakeholder fora could be repeated annually to monitor progress,
review and update the roadmap.
Exchange of experiences between the Mediterranean and the African
country dialogues will be facilitated.
Detailed terms of reference are pending. Financial support for the
project will be negotiated with EU Member States and the EU Commission
(e.g. DG AIDCO).
Objective 8
(OBJ-8) |
Improve transfer of technology and the use of
existing and new scientific knowledge to achieve water-related
MDGs |
ACT-2005- 9 |
National awareness workshops on access to water knowledge |
Participation of water user communities in local water governance
is an asset, but to be efficient such participatory approach requires
transparent information channels. New information and communication
technologies have proven their effectiveness for applications such as
online democracy or more generally electronic government at local
(e.g. for urban governance) and national levels. The implementation of
the WFD in the various EU member states is facilitated thanks to on
line tools (survey, pools, strategic document commentaries, etc.)
complementing more classical dialogue activities.
Two (2) national workshops will be organized in selected countries
of the South & East Mediterranean to review the information needs
and requirements of targeted stakeholders and user groups and to
ensure their participation in the development of publicly accessed
databases on water information. It will result in a set of
recommendations on potential use of new Information Society
Technologies to improve access to water knowledge and participatory
approach to local water governance.
Detailed terms of reference are pending. Financial support for the
project will be negotiated with DG Research and EU Member States.
B.4. Coordination and Administration
The MED EUWI is open to all partners willing to commit to its
objectives, targets, and guiding principles, having genuine
willingness to work with others seeking practical solutions.
Implementation of activities build on existing and on-going work
undertaken by partners while cooperation and complementarity is
sought. MED EUWI follows closely and responds to the modalities and
procedures of the overall EUWI.
The organizational structure of MED EUWI is based on a light
structure aiming to effectively ensure the multi-stakeholder
participation in its activities. It includes:
- an advisory Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MStF)
- guiding and decision making Working Group (WG), chaired by the
co-Lead Countries
- a Secretariat to provide support and ensure smooth running.
A detailed description of the "Organisational Framework and
Modalities of MED EUWI" is presented in a separate document.
Two meetings of the Working Group and one meeting of the
Multi-Stakeholder Forum are foreseen within 2005. The first meeting of
the Working Group, in 2005, took place on 17 January 2005, in Brussels
and the second will be organized on 22 June, in Athens.
Financial support for the functioning of the organizational
structure and administration are currently provided by Greece.
B.5. Communication
EUWI, under the leadership of Austria and the EU Commission, has
developed an Information System. In the Mediterranean, EMWIS
facilitates information exchange on water resources.
MED EUWI Secretariat in collaboration with EMWIS, will elaborate a
MED EWI Communication Strategy that will provide advice on
communicating effectively MED EUWI's concept, messages and progress as
well as on ways for raising its visibility in the Mediterranean and
Southeast Europe. This activity will focus on communication tools and
products to be developed/produced, target audiences to be approached
identifying their specificities, strategic alliances to be sought and
existing communication platforms to be used.
B.6. Finance
The development and basic running of the MED EUWI require financial
resources which involve support for:
- Start up and implementation of the set of activities foreseen in
the present Work Programme 2005
- establishment of links and exploring possibilities for launching
additional activities within the MED EUWI scope
- functioning of the organizational structure and modalities.
The financial resources needed for the implementation of the Work
Programme 2005 could be borne by EU Member States (including
Greece/Lead country of MED EUWI), the EU Commission and/or other
international donors who have already or anticipated to commit
themselves to support suggested activities and functions or even
propose more actions related to the MED EUWI scope. In this context,
Greece, as lead country of the MED EUWI, is aiming at providing the
financial support to cover the horizontal activities of the Component,
including from own funds.
As it is clear, the EUWI is not a financial institution but a
facilitating process. Implementation of activities entailing capital
investment are not part of the present Work Programme 2005, though
operational links shall be sought. The EU Member States and the EC
have already established a related process through bilateral
programmes and agreements to support these.
B.7. Risks
As main risks for the proper evolution and implementation of the
Work Programme 2005, the following could be identified:
- Failure to mobilize sufficient funds to commence the process in a
credible manner.
- Inadequate response from governments of the partner countries and
key stakeholders
- Failure or change in priorities of key institutions involved in
the management and coordination of activities to deliver.
Reference Documents
Overall
1. Operation Plan of the Mediterranean Component of the EU Water
Initiative. MED EUWI, July 2003.
2. Activity Plan of the Mediterranean Component of the EU Water
Initiative. MED EUWI, March 2004.
3. Organisational Framework and Modalities of the EU Water
Initiative. EU Commission, July 2004.
4. Discussion Document on the Joint Water Framework Directive / EU
Water Initiative Process - Strategy and 2005 Work Programme. EU
Commission, November 2004.
5. Comments and contributions by partner organisations during
Working Group Meetings and on-going consultations.
Activity related
6. Regional Workshop on the status of national IWRM planning in
South Mediterranean (North African countries) (ACT-2005-3), Project
Description, submitted to the African Development Bank, August
2004.
7. Capacity building for decision makers and experts on integrated
shared water resources management in Southeast Europe (ACT-2005-4),
Project Description, submitted to GEF IW:LEARN, September 2004.
8. Assessment and methodological framework for the financial
requirements to meet MDGs/WSSD targets related to WSS in the South
& East Mediterranean and Southeast Europe (ACT-2005-5), Project
Description, submitted to MED EUWI Lead Country, April 2004.
9. Strengthening long term sustainable financing for the
environment and water resources in the Mediterranean (ACT-2005-6),
Concept Paper, submitted to MAP/UNEP, November 2004.
10. African - EUWI Water and Sanitation Country Dialogue, Zambia
Report. November 2004.
ANNEX
Logical Framework Analysis and Cost Analysis for MED EUWI Work
Programme 2005
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