ANNEX. Several initiatives are being taken in order to improve the effectiveness of basin cooperation on the continent.

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1 ANNEX 1. IDTIFICATION Country/Title/Number Total cost Aid method / Method of implementation African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Countries/ Strengthening the institutions for trans-boundary water management in Africa CRIS no: PP-AP/BUDG/22666 Maximum EU contribution: EUR Budget item Water management in developing countries preparatory action (second year) Project approach Joint management with an international organisation DAC-code Sector Water resources policy and administrative management 2. RATIONALE 2.1. Sector context The African continent has the highest number of trans-boundary river basins (64 international river basins) that, collectively, cover 64% of Africa s surface area and contain slightly more than 93% of its surface water resources. These rivers are shared between many countries: Congo and Niger (11 countries), Nile (10), Lake Chad and Zambezi (8). The common water resource is a potential source of conflict at the same time as it has a tremendous potential as driven for economic growth on the African continent, where less then 4% of the available water is utilised and less than 7% of the hydropower potential is realised (Tekateka, R.M. AWG Co-chair, 2010) A number of international agreements and Trans-boundary River Basin Organizations (TRBOs) have been established to facilitate cooperative management of these shared water-courses as well as minimize conflicts between and among riparian states, but their effectiveness and sustainability remains a key concern. Several initiatives are being taken in order to improve the effectiveness of basin cooperation on the continent. In 2000, following the adoption of the Africa Water Vision 2025, the African Union called for a Federation of African River and Lake Basin Organisations to act for adopting a common approach to the management of trans-boundary waters. In response to this call, in 2006, the African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) established The Tekateka Committee which recommended the adoption of the already existing African Network of River Basin (ANBO) as a more efficient approach than to create a new continental body, provided that ANBO revised its statutes to reflect a stronger African orientation. ANBO had

2 thitherto been a loose network of river basins affiliated to the International Network of River Basin Organisations (INBO), with a rather limited African footprint and membership, and no explicit commitment to support the African water programme In 2007, the ANBO was designated as a sub-committee of African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) in matters relating to trans-boundary water resource management, decision endorsed by the African Head of state at Sharm el Sheikh in July The decision by the African Network of Basin Organisations (ANBO) at its General Assembly in January 2009 to formalise its relations with the African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) opens the way to a new positioning for ANBO to provide the necessary technical support to AMCOW. This ANBO resolution is a timely response to AMCOW s intent to mobilise capacity and institutional support through consolidating existing partnerships and establishing new ones in its quest to implement the directives of Sharm el Sheikh. It is particularly a manifestation of ANBO s assessment of the role it must play in, among other roles, addressing the challenges of trans-boundary water resources management; responding to the impacts of climate change including the imperative of adaptation; and being in poll position to innovate, practice and eventually share experience in implementing trans-boundary cooperation, working at both the local, national and international levels. In the same context ANBO also has great potential to advance the African aspiration for regional integration. Despite its resource limitations, ANBO has managed to undertake some important tasks. For example, AMCOW designated ANBO to organise the African regional session on Trans-boundary water resources management at the Mexico World Water Forum in ANBO was also involved in the AMCOW Conference on BOs in Kampala in October 2006.In partnership with the African Union (AU) and the Government of South Africa, ANBO has been prepared its second General Assembly in 2007 in South Africa Lessons learnt Experience to date has led to realisation that Trans-boundary River Basin Organizations (TRBOs) are not yet a source of ready-made solutions to the governance of shared river basins. Further understanding is needed to learn, share experiences and decide on best practice within the African social, economic and political settings. Addressing groundwater in the debate and negotiations on how to manage trans-boundary ground waters provides additional challenges. Under the 2 nd call for proposal (launched in 2006) funded from 9th EDF ACP-EU Water Facility (Decision 2004/632/EC), EU supported the project "Development of the IRWM performance indicators (PI) for African Transboundary Basins management" ( EUR) involving 5 volunteers African RBOs: Congo-(CICOS), Lake Victoria(LVBC), Niger (ABN), Orange-Senqu (ORASECOM), Senegal (OMVS) members of ANBO. The quantifiable and easy to use PI has been developed based on the collection of data related to the exploitation of water resources (e.g. hydroelectricity, irrigation, farming, fishing, drinking water & water quality). The first project Report strongly proved the importance of the diffusing the results through involving basin organisations. As most of basin organisations were not prepared for information dissemination and data flux management under the project that was done by ANBO.

3 Under the 9 th EDF intra-acp fund, the EU provided EUR for the African Transboundary River Basin Programme in 5 major river basins in 4 sub-regions of Africa (Chad, Volta, Orange-Senqu, Niger and Kagera-Lake Victoria) aiming to promote the development of trans-boundary Integrated Water Resource Management Plans in the basins. Some results have been confirmed during workshops, but there is not a learning review systematized and consolidated and a little is known about the impacts in term of RBOs development, policy and institutional development, knowledge and information management and capacity development as the level of basin organisation The inception report of this project will therefore include this information. The project also proved the lack of sufficient capacity in the countries to package correct and appropriate information in a form that is understandable by policy and decision makers. The strengthening of ANBO as a platform for the exchange of information and experience facilitates the attainment of this goal. Projects such as the Pan-African Water Information System (AWIS) developed by ANBO and aimed at creating an internet-based platform for information exchange among African River Basins are supported by AMCOW, alongside other initiatives aimed at developing a culture of information and knowledge management Complementary actions In 2009, the Commission allocated funds for 2 different projects related to water management in Africa under the budget line preparatory action water management in developing countries. These projects are ongoing and they have been identified as priorities in the multidimensional water management framework, ensuring out puts which will serve further development in the water management, as following: 1. Project "Support to the African network of centres of excellences in water science and development" was formulated to build African capacity and expertise in water science and development. The expected results will be the identification of the regional needs in research, high education and training in the field of water management; the centres will have the capacity to address sector expertise for consultancy and advocacy for the water sector development. The Commission allocated EUR for an implementation period of 3 years (November 2009 November 2012). The project is implemented by the Joint research centre (JRC). 2. Project "Support to the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African minister's Council on water (AMCOW) on transboundary water resource management was formulated to strengthen the institutional framework at highest level in water management by improving technical and coordinating capacity of AUC and AMCOW. The expected results will be an improved mechanism of coordination and cooperation between AMCOW and AUC, and reinforced capacity of AMCOW to identify and prepare investment projects in the water sector in Africa. The Commission allocated EUR for the period of 3 years. The project started in January 2010 and will end in December 2012.

4 The need for a third project was identified to support the development of trans-boundary river basin organisations (TRBOs) in Africa, as the tool for the effective management of the trans-boundary river basins confronted with water stress and scarcity which generate water conflicts, weakness of laws, lack of regulations and institutions for managing water resources and the lack of water infrastructure. During the formulation phase difficulties have been encountered to collect complex and appropriate information related to the political, technical and economical capacity of the countries belonging to the 64 trans-boundary river basins in Africa. Therefore, more time was needed to re-formulate the project to a different political level by setting up a specific institution at continental level, the African Network of River Basin Organisation (ANBO) that can serve as a pillar for the African Union and AMCOW. ANBO will support the development of the trans-boundary river basin organisations where they do not exist and the capacity building of the existing RBOs. From the 9 th EDF Intra ACP envelop the EU funded with EUR specific RBOs established in Africa (Nile/Kagera EUR, Niger EUR, Orange/Senqu EUR, Lake Chad EUR, Volta EUR). Under the 1 st call for proposal (launched in 2004) funded from 9th EDF ACP-EU Water Facility (Decision 2004/632/EC), EU supported transboundary projects with EUR (Senegal EUR, Nile/Lake Victoria EUR and about EUR to the Pan-African Water Information System -AWIS) All these financial contributions are coming to an end and the activities proposed in this identification fiche will therefore be an important factor for collecting experiences and for design of future support to trans-boundary water management by the Commission. The African Water Facility (AWF) has usefully responded to request for support of innovative projects, including in the trans-boundary arena, aimed at leveraging additional sources to assist the African Water Vision (AWV) implementation. The AWF has a portfolio of 65 projects at a total value of EUR of which about EUR have been allocated for about 20 transboundary projects. Supports have been given to assist :trans-boundary aquifers ( EUR), multinational Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa PIDA ( EUR), mapping trans-boundary resources ( EUR), the Volta Basin Authority ( EUR), the Niger Basin Authority ( EUR), the Lake Chad Commission ( EUR), the Commission of the Congo River ( EUR), the Lake Victoria Commission ( EUR), the Kayanga Geba River Basin Authority ( EUR) and the Songwe River Basin Authority ( EUR). In 2008, a 2-year support ( EUR) was given to the development of the African Network of Basin Organization (ANBO), from the African Water Facility part of the African Development Bank, to strengthen and consolidate the African Network of Basin Organisations' institutional and operational capacity. Despite this support, there are poor political commitments for trans-boundary water management, inadequate performance of the basin organisations inefficient Poverty Reduction Programs in the riparian countries, and insufficient funding. The African Development Bank has also played a key supportive role not least through its Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Initiative (RWSSI). The development of a learning and knowledge sharing programme through the EU support to the Centres of Excellence programme has a potential to link research and to policy, also with regards to trans-boundary development.

5 In 2010, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) allocated about EUR and launched a "learning review process" to develop and implement improved systems for reporting on results and for evidence-based policies and decision making on transboundary water management. The support is to reach a better impact on poverty, economic growth and peace and security. The African Working Group of the EU Water Initiative (EUWI AWG) will be represented in the steering committee of the learning review, together with African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) and ANBO. EUWI AWG will set aside a fund to contribute to the learning review, which should be allocated from the new EU support (from the 2010 Annual Action Programme of Thematic Programme on Environment -RTP) to joint EUWI AWG- AMCOW activities channelled through the contract signed with UNDP in December The results from the learning review will feed into the design of the ANBO activities Donor coordination Coordination between EU actors in the water sector in Africa is carried out in the framework of the "Africa-EU Strategic Partnership on water affairs and sanitation" of the EU Water Initiative (EUWI). Most EU donors (from Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, UK) as well as the Commission are members in the African Working Group of EU Water Initiative (EUWI AWG). The EUWI is a partnership of EU member states, the EC and concerned stakeholders (governments, local authority, water operator, business) having the aim to increase and streamline EU Member State and EU support to the water and sanitation sector, in line with the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and in support of the EU Code of Conduct on Complementarities and Division of Labour in Development Policy. The EU Consensus on Development notes the EU Water Initiative as contributing towards agreed EU policy objectives in water and sanitation. Within the EUWI, the African Working Group aims are to reinforce the political commitment of the European Commission and EU Member States for harmonized support in the areas of water supply and sanitation and Integrated Water Resource Management (IRWM), in line with African interests and demand. It also aims to support African partners, on request, in developing and implementing policies, strategies and priorities. Under the African Working Group, a Task Force on Integrated Water Resource Management and Trans-boundary basins (IWRM/TB TF) is chaired by Netherlands. The purpose is to help define Integrated Water Resource Management and transboundary activities for the African WG The strong leadership of the African Union (AU) and African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW), supported through increased capacity and improved coordination, will be fundamental for donors' harmonisation according to Paris declaration principles. 3. DESCRIPTION 3.1. Objectives The overall objective of the proposed project is: To strengthen regional cooperation at the political, economic and stakeholder level for sustainable management of trans-boundary water resources in Africa for peace and security, stability and poverty alleviation relying on African Knowledge.

6 The specific objective are: To strengthen ANBO (the African Network Basin Organisation). The project is aiming to transform ANBO in a sustainable and influential organisation, as a pillar, under the AU and AMCOW framework, that supports the development of lake and river basin organisations (BOs) as catalysts for policy and institutional development, knowledge and information management and capacity development on trans-boundary water management. Improving water governance for trans-boundary water resources in Africa under the platform of ANBO. ANBO will provide technical assistance and support BOs to develop Integrated Water Resource Management Plans(IRWM), including vulnerability to floods and droughts, priority issues for short and long term, water quantity analyses and water quality objectives, etc) in the RBs where they are not yet developed and to implement plans where they exist Expected results and main activities Areas of result phase 1- Inception note developed by the International Organisation (IO) under the coordination and on the basis of Term of References to be provided by the Commission; capacity building of ANBO and its members (the River Basin Organisations) Inception note will include a more detailed description of the actions to be implemented in the second phase, the capacity building of ANBO and of its members (RBOs) through regional meetings; the Inception note will also include the corresponding detailed budget to achieve the following: 1. Institutional development of ANBO: fully functional and strengthen ANBO with a defined working relationship with AMCOW. The international organisation (IO) will assess the existing capacity of ANBO (present staff, equipment and ability to handle budget), institutional arrangement and number of partners (River of Lake Basins Organisations), financial sustainability of ANBO and the needs for future sustainable functioning of the organisation and of the river basins organisations. Capacity development programme for ANBO. Establishment of an information and knowledge exchange systems to effectively perform its mandated functions and responsibilities under the AU and AMCOW framework Effective communication and knowledge management programme (during regional meetings) of the ANBO network aimed to improve sharing of information between RBO s and regional centres under ANBO coordination. 2. Support to regional cooperation and integration in sustainable trans-boundary water resource management Action plan for the next 2 years developed for ANBO to work closely with the Regional Centres for development (RECs) with foreseen international meetings. Identify at least 2RBOs where test projects could be developed during the implementation phase, in close cooperation with the concerned RBO and ANBO 3. Setting up of IWRM Plans for RBOs developed with linkages to regional, national development priorities. Identify at least 2 RBOs where pilot (IWRM) Plans could be developed during the implementation phase in close cooperation with the concerned RBO and ANBO Identify at least 3 RBOs where IWRM Plans exist and activities included in plans could be implemented in close cooperation with the concerned RBO and ANBO

7 4. ANBO's effective participation in the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) RBOs contributing projects to PIDA. Development of an improved common knowledge base, shared among all riparian countries of a RB regarding water availability, current and future demands. 5. Effective and sustainable financing of African Network Basin Organisation (ANBO) and River Basin Organisations (RBOs) Identify lessons learnt and best practises on support to RBOs, including the RBOs supported by EU funding, and give recommendations to national governments, regional organisations and development partners for future support. Area results phase 2 implementation of actions defined in the inception note; the IO will operate grant for ANBO, to achieve the estimated impact: Strengthened regional cooperation and integration leading to positive impacts for poverty reduction at all levels. Improved water security for Africa. Streamlined efficient and sustainable trans-boundary institutions. Water contributing to economic growth and development effectively integrating water resources management in development planning at all levels. Better water governance for improved sustainable financing and investment in Africa s Water Resources for development. Some of the activities have already been specified during the participatory process that has led to this action fiche. Additional activities will be defined during the future action based on further analysis of context, environmental factors and capabilities of partners. These activities will be elaborated in close cooperation with AMCOW and AWG (IWRM/TB TF), to reflect and respond to the developing demands and priorities Risks and assumptions It is to be expected that for various reasons there will continue to be residual tendency among a small number of TRBOs to resist the new dispensation that favours the priority orientation of supporting AMCOW. This matter will be addressed through an awareness campaign-within the ANBO network (during the network regional meetings) itself emphasising the fact that ANBO will soon become irrelevant and lose all meaningful support if it fails to play a strategic support role to AMCOW. Regional meetings of ANBO will be used to promote the new role and the regional chairs of AMCOW TAC will also be deployed to ensure that the new role of ANBO as a necessary arm of AMCOW is understood within AMCOW member states who are ultimately the sovereign members of ANBO and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs). It is also expected that some basin organisations may remain reluctant to join ANBO at all. A similar approach as already stated of involving the regional TAC Chairs will be invoked. The support of the RECs will also be solicited to this end. The sustainability of Africans River Basin Organisations (RBOs) in the long term remains an area of concern. This will be linked to the long-term sustainability of ANBO itself. ANBO has solicited support from the African Water Facility to establish and recommend ways in which Trans-boundary River Basin Organizations (TRBOs) can generate revenue. This is part of a strategy to ensure that in time African RBOs are financially independent of governments and are able to generate sufficient

8 funding to cover operational costs.meanwhile ANBO intends to utilise the EU support in the next two years to demonstrate the value of the network to the membership through its various activities. It is deemed necessary to ensure that within three years the network can give value for money to all its members, which will inspire the members to pay the assessed contributions. The tendency for African River basins to depend on externally generated demand for research remains a challenge as it may not always reflect required knowledge products. This danger is exacerbated by the tendency to overlook indigenous knowledge. ANBO will strive to ensure that there is a system wide structured development of research topics generated through regional meetings. The need for international water agreements continues because of the increasing possibility for water-induced conflict from issues of water scarcity and degradation, which poses as a continual threat to local, state, regional, and international stability. But there is the risk that individual states, armed with sovereign rights to territorial resources, use water to serve political, economic, and social goals (example Nile basin). The project has to deal with different types of risks, such as the event of poor project performance due weak project management by ANBO, or that the project fails to contribute to the overall development goals of TWRM. The latter might be due to poor political commitment, inadequate performance of the BOs, inefficient Poverty Reduction Programs in the riparian countries, or insufficient funding. The latter risks would to a large extent be beyond the control of the project management Crosscutting Issues The project refers to the management of water as a natural resource in trans-boundary context. By its nature relates to: Enabling environment the water management plans are developed for the sustainable use of the water Health: will ensure a better access to adequate quantity and quality of water. Gender: the fostered participative approach with the multi-stakeholder consultation will address real participation of all actors and that the needs of the women and children been taking into account. Governance and transparency: The aim of the project is sector development also through government capacity for a good governance, including transparency practices. Human rights: The implication of the civil society and the promotion should have an impact on human rights. Conflict prevention: The trans-boundary and regional aspect of this project will address conflict prevention issues Stakeholders The main stakeholders are the River and Lake Basin Organisation in Africa. In Africa there are 64 international river basins but there is not an inventory showing how many RBOs have been created for them. ANBO members are about 14 RBOs and water authorities from 19 countries. In so far as the effective management of Africa s trans-boundary waters has been identified by the AU Heads of State as a priority area of interest for Africa, the AU is the principal stakeholder in trans-boundary water resources management

9 AMCOW as the custodian of the continent s water resources is also a primary stakeholder. AMCOW exercises its stewardship through the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) which are expected to play a highly important coordinating role within the 5 AU regions. ANBO is similarly structured to match the regional devolution of the AU thus enabling a structured collaboration with the RECs through their dedicated water divisions, and with AMCOW through the regional chairs of TAC. The African Civil Society Network of Water and Sanitation (ANEW) and Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWP) also has similar structures and are likewise amenable to a similarly structured approach. To date GWP has demonstrated the high practicability of this approach. Cooperation at this level holds much potential and will be encouraged. The Groundwater Commission of AMCOW is a natural partner of ANBO and it is widely expected that the two could be merged in the medium to long term. The capacity building dimension of AMCOW s work at Trans-boundary level emphasises the need for close cooperation with networks that promote learning and knowledge transfer as well a research. In this regard Water-Net and CapNet as well as centres of excellence (in both the generic and literal sense of the phrase) are logical partners of ANBO with which a collaborative framework must be agreed. The EUWI AWG continues to provide an other point of view regional perspective for AMCOW which also facilitates access to knowledge developed in conditions at once similar and yet different from those of Africa, as relates to shared water resources. This and other regional contributions will continue to play an important role in the growth and development of ANBO. Other stakeholders: The New Partnership for Africa s Development (NEPAD); National Governments and political leaders; Water sector regulatory authorities and other policy and decision makers; Institutions in charge of water information services; Service providers in water supply and sanitation; Environmental management authorities; Reservoir operation managers; African media (press, radio, television) and the public society at large During stakeholder consultation attention will be paid on gender equity by involving women as equal partners with men in decision making and other aspects of water management. 4. IMPLEMTATION ISSUES 4.1. Method of implementation The method of implementation will be joint management through the signature of a standard contribution agreement with one International Organisation: Following the assessment regarding the capacity to implement the proposed action, as well as the capacity to control and spend correctly the EU funds, the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO) was selected as the appropriate international organisation for the implementation of the project. It is to be underlined the fact that, in addition to the challenges of implementing the Integrated Water Resource Management principle at international river basins level, this action is largely political in nature and requires a strong knowledge of the Basin Organisations (BOs), stakeholders and actors currently involved. GWPO also demonstrated this capacity.

10 The Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO) is an international organisation with the mission of "supporting the sustainable development and management of the water resources at all levels". GWP's action network provides knowledge and builds capacity to improve water management at all levels: global, regional, national and local. The Partnership helps countries to connect water resources planning and operations at different scales, trans-boundary, regional, basin, national and local, so that actions are coherent and sustainable. At the June 2010 meeting of the African Minister s Council on Water (AMCOW) GWP's work for advancing the water agenda on the continent was recognised. The AMCOW Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) appreciated GWP's contribution and gave GWP an additional mandate to work in four key areas: IWRM, managing Africa's shared waters, climate changes and gender mainstreaming. The GWPO applies standards in their accounting, audit, control and procurement procedures which offer equivalent level of guaranties as those provided by the Commission's Financial Regulation and those internationally accepted, as result it has passed the 4 pillar audit carried out by the Commission, in 2006, with positive results, and a Contribution Agreement has already been signed to support the EUWI Financing Working Group. Taking into consideration the need to collect complex and appropriate information related to the multi-dimensional framework for water management in a high number (64) of trans-boundary river basins in the African continent, the need for a flexible approach to reach the objectives, the urgently needed interventions in a long term perspective and the limited timing for contracting, the project will be implemented in 2 phases. In the first phase the GWP will collect information and will set up an inception note describing more in detail the action and the related budget for the implementation of the action; also the capacity of ANBO and its members (the RBOs) will be improved to be able to support and contribute to the establishment and implementation of the IWRM Plans at trans-boundary level, in the second phase of this project. The project implementation will be guided by a Commission' Steering Committee which will be set up to act as a Reference Group and to monitor the achieved results. Steering Committee members will be representatives of the relevant services of the European Commission. The Steering Committee will be responsible for the approval of the Inception note, the approval of major changes to the project's scope. The Steering Committee should decide on the reallocation of funds from the Phase 1 to Phase 2 if they will be not consumed for different reasons. The Steering Committee will be convoked by the project responsible and will meet when the above mentioned decisions have to be taken. To mitigate risks the Steering Committee should decide on the interruption of the project if the first phase gives negative results Procurement and grant award procedures All contracts implementing the action are awarded and implemented in accordance with the procedures and standard documents laid down and published by the Global Water Partnership Organisation.

11 4.3. Budget and calendar The maximum budget available is EUR. The project will have a duration of 36 months as of the signature of the Delegation Agreement. Activity Indicative Budget (EUR) Phase 1 Inception report and capacity building of ANBO and its members (the River Basin Organisations) Phase 2 Implementation of defined activities Monitoring and evaluation organised by IO Audit organised by IO TOTAL of the Contribution Agreement (max) Performance monitoring Objectively verifiable indicators (qualitative and quantitative) will have to be part of the methodologies included in the inception note (technical proposals) for the components of the project. Considering the innovative characteristics of this pilot project, it will be the GWP the responsible to build a monitoring system to measure project progress, based on key indicators listed in the logframe matrix which will be more detailed in the Inception Report. During the implementation phase, performance will be monitored through regular reporting to the Commission/Steering Committee and to the EUWI AWG Troika which will include both financial reporting and analytical narrative reports. These reports will be the base for a continuous learning and self assessment process that will steer the planning of future activities. Annual work plans will be made to plan the activities per calendar year, within the agreed objectives Evaluation and audit Description of evaluations (ex-ante, mid-term, final, ex post) and audit arrangements. Expenditure incurred will have to be certified, as part of the obligations of the contracted parties in the framework of the implementation of this project. Mid term and final evaluations of the results achieved will be entrusted to independent consultants, as well as external audits (which will be carried out if necessary). Evaluations on the project would follow the GWP practices; in addition of mid term and final evaluations. These evaluations and audits will be funded from the project's budget and it will be organised by GWP under the instructions of the Commission.

12 4.6. Communication and visibility A communication component will be a key factor to maintain stakeholders informed on the project objectives, progress and benefits, as well as for promoting a positive practice of transparency and social accountability. Results and findings will be used to, based on a strategic communications approach, build on effective communication channels and feedback mechanisms aimed to establish a two-way communication flow. The implementing International Organisation will integrate in the Inception Report a communication and visibility plan agreed with the Commission staff managing the action, in close co-operation with the staff responsible for communication activities. This communication and visibility strategy will be linked to the communication strategy of the AWG which was aligned with the new EUWI communications strategy. This assignment helps the AWG to increase its visibility as facilitator in IWRM/TWM at the global and also at the regional, sub-regional and country-level in Africa. Publications and knowledge products will be accompanied by learning events, such as workshops, field visits, and presentations of project outcomes in national and international forums.