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The document examines the critical water scarcity and management challenges facing the Eastern Mediterranean, highlighting the stark disparity in water distribution between the northern and southern/eastern regions. It analyzes the compounding effects of climate change, population growth, and political tensions on water security. The author argues for a shift from supply-based infrastructure to integrated water resource management and hydrodiplomacy to mitigate conflicts and foster regional stability.

The report analyzes planning frameworks, negotiation methods, and financing models used by city water authorities (CWAs) in LMICs to secure resilient water supplies. It identifies that while tools like Scenario Analysis, Robust Decision Support (RDS), and Climate Risk-based Decision Analysis (CRIDA) exist, their implementation is often hindered by low technical capacity, data gaps, and reactive planning driven by crises. Successful negotiation often relies on incentivization, trusted intermediaries, and public buy-in, while financing varies from traditional tariffs and grants to innovative mechanisms like Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) and water funds. Case studies from cities such as São Paulo, Cape Town, and Amman illustrate the practical application and challenges of these strategies.

WASH-Flows is a Microsoft Excel-based tool developed under the Bolivia WATCH Program to bridge the gap between household-level WASH data and watershed-scale planning. It transforms qualitative household information into quantitative data to assess service vulnerability, estimate environmental contamination loads, and provide water demand and wastewater flow data for water resources management software. While developed for Bolivia and currently applied in the Tupiza, Pampa Huari, and Choqueyapu-La Paz watersheds, the tool is intended for use in low- and middle-income countries across rural and peri-urban settings.

WASH-Flows is a Microsoft Excel-based tool developed under the Bolivia WATCH Program to bridge the gap between household-level WASH data and community-scale watershed planning. It transforms qualitative information into quantitative data to assess service vulnerability, estimate pollution loads, and calculate water demand and wastewater flows. While currently in beta and applied in three Bolivian watersheds, the tool aims to support local governments and planners in rural and peri-urban environments to prioritize interventions and align with SDG 6 targets.

The project seeks to reduce flood risk and improve livelihoods in the Trois-Rivières (TR) watershed of Haiti. It proposes implementing 17,740 hectares of agroforestry and rehabilitating 7,700 hectares of forest to reduce peak runoff by 40%. The initiative includes establishing a social safety net via food coupons and Village Savings and Credit Associations (VSCAs) to discourage unsustainable charcoal production. Additionally, it aims to strengthen national water governance by drafting provisions for the Water Act and establishing Catchment Integrated Water Resources Management Committees. The project targets 292,600 direct and 441,272 indirect beneficiaries, with a total budget of approximately USD 31.3 million, including USD 22.4 million requested from the GCF.

The ECCCP-Drought project seeks USD 24.96 million in GCF grants to address climate-induced water scarcity in the Rajshahi, Naogaon, and Chapainawabganj districts of Bangladesh. The project employs a '4-R' approach (Reuse, Recharge, Recycle, and Reduce) to manage water resources, featuring the installation of 2,500 rooftop Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) systems and 40 pond-based recharge wells to replenish groundwater. It also includes the re-excavation of 300 ponds and 140 km of canals to improve surface water storage. To enhance livelihoods, the project promotes drought-adaptive cropping patterns and fruit varieties for 15,000 farmers, aiming to reduce irrigation water needs by 70%. Institutional capacity will be strengthened by establishing a climate change unit within the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) and a national MAR centre under the Ministry of Water Resources.

The AC-CReWS project aims to enhance climate resilience on Ambergris Caye, Belize, by upgrading water and wastewater infrastructure and governance. The project focuses on transitioning to low-carbon systems through the installation of a 3 MW grid-tied PV system, upgrading sewage treatment to tertiary levels for reclaimed water reuse, and implementing SCADA for automated monitoring and leak detection. With a total indicative cost of USD 49.893 million, the project targets 40,000 direct beneficiaries and expects to mitigate 148,140 tCO2eq over a 30-year lifespan. It also proposes a Revolving Adaptation and Mitigation Fund Facility (RAMFF) to sustain small-scale climate initiatives.

The document outlines a methodology to make water governance more inclusive by addressing power imbalances and recognizing diverse forms of knowledge. It introduces a 'PAR-Pathways' approach that allows stakeholders to identify their starting points, desired end-goals, and the specific activities needed to achieve equitable influence in water planning. Through four global case studies, the guide demonstrates how different pathways—including legal challenges, boycotts, and the granting of legal personhood to rivers—can lead to more just water management outcomes.

The project aims to establish a climate-resilient water sector in Saint Lucia to address vulnerabilities caused by extreme weather, droughts, and aging infrastructure. It proposes a four-component approach: strengthening water governance and tariff structures, implementing integrated watershed management, upgrading physical water supply systems (including the John Compton Dam), and building capacity for vulnerable users through rainwater harvesting. The initiative is led by the Caribbean Development Bank and UNOPS, targeting 134,167 direct beneficiaries.

The UN 2023 Water Conference, held in New York, focused on accelerating progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) through the Water Action Agenda. The event resulted in approximately 700 voluntary commitments totaling USD 300 billion and the announcement of a UN Special Envoy for Water. Discussions emphasized the water-food-energy nexus, the human right to water and sanitation, and the need for innovative finance and improved global water data. While the conference generated significant political momentum and new partnerships, analysis suggests that many pledges lack quantifiable targets and that the international community must quadruple its efforts to meet 2030 goals.

The compendium outlines the technical requirements and eligible activities for the Green Climate Fund's Simplified Approval Process (SAP), which is designed to reduce the time and effort for preparing, reviewing, and approving small-scale projects (up to USD 25 million) with minimal environmental and social risks. It provides sectoral guidelines for agriculture, ecosystems, water security, cities, energy efficiency, land use, REDD+, renewable energy, and transport, detailing how to achieve a 'paradigm shift' and measure impact using the GCF's Integrated Results Management Framework (IRMF).

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has published a technical compendium to streamline the preparation of funding proposals under the Simplified Approval Process (SAP). The SAP is designed to reduce the time and effort required for the preparation, review, and approval of small-scale activities, specifically targeting developing countries, Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). To be eligible for SAP, projects must request a GCF contribution of no more than 25 million USD and present minimal or no environmental and social risks. The guide provides detailed sectoral frameworks for agriculture, ecosystems, water security, cities, energy efficiency, forestry, REDD+, renewable energy, and transport, outlining eligible activities, indicators for measuring impact, and examples of 'paradigm shifts' required for GCF investment.

The briefing examines the interdependencies between water systems and the transition to fossil-free energy, highlighting the environmental and social costs of hydropower and offshore renewables. Using Sweden as a primary example, it discusses how energy expansion can lead to habitat degradation and the marginalization of Indigenous communities. It calls for the Water Action Agenda to adopt integrated water resource management and accelerate SDG 6 targets to ensure a sustainable and equitable energy transition.

The GCF Water Project Design Guidelines Part 1 establish a structured four-phase process—Scoping, Situation Analysis, Project Design, and Action Planning—to ensure water projects are climate-resilient and eligible for funding. The guide emphasizes an integrated systems approach, combining the Natural Resource System (NRS), Socio-Economic System (SES), and Administrative and Institutional System (AIS). A central requirement is the 'climate rationale,' which must use a 'climate science base' of historical and projected data to prove that projects address climate-induced risks rather than just general development needs. The guidelines advocate for adaptive management tools like Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA) and Dynamic Adaptive Policy Pathways (DAPP) to handle uncertainty. Finally, the document links technical design steps to GCF's six investment criteria, including impact potential, paradigm shift potential, and country ownership, to ensure proposals are 'bankable' and aligned with National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

The GCF Water Project Design Guidelines Part 2 outlines a structured approach to developing investment-oriented water projects that address climate change. It details the specific requirements and recommended measures for four key areas: Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Drought Risk Management, and Flood Risk Management. The guide emphasizes the need for a strong climate science basis, the use of specific analytical tools, and the implementation of both 'grey' and 'green' infrastructure. Special attention is given to Small Island Developing States (SIDS), highlighting their unique vulnerabilities to sea-level rise and freshwater scarcity. The document also provides a framework for assessing project impact, paradigm shift potential, and sustainable development co-benefits to align with GCF's strategic goals.

The Stockholm Environment Institute has developed WASH Flows, a Microsoft Excel-based tool that links household-level WASH data with watershed-scale modelling, such as WEAP. By bridging the gap between WASH services and Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), the tool allows users to estimate service levels, identify vulnerable communities, and model the impact of interventions on water balance and quality. A case study in the Tupiza watershed in Bolivia demonstrated the tool's ability to establish a service baseline—revealing significant gaps in safely managed water (25%) and sanitation (4%)—and to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed drinking water and decentralized sanitation systems in increasing drought resilience.

The Simplified Approval Process (SAP) Technical Guidance Compendium outlines the eligibility and technical requirements for GCF projects with contributions up to USD 25 million and minimal environmental and social risks. It provides sectoral guidance across agriculture, ecosystems, water security, cities, energy efficiency, forests, REDD+, renewable energy, and transport, detailing 'SAP-able' activities, impact measurement indicators, and the requirements for achieving a paradigm shift in each sector.

The Plan Director de la Cuenca Alta del Rio La Paz provides a comprehensive diagnostic and strategic roadmap for managing water resources in a 1,725 km² area. It identifies critical vulnerabilities, including severe water pollution in urban rivers, glacier retreat, and inadequate sanitation in rural areas. The plan proposes 11 strategic lines (LE) focusing on climate resilience, water governance, technological innovation in irrigation, and the construction of wastewater treatment plants (PTAR), with a total estimated investment of 1,555,183,480 BOB.

The report provides a comprehensive strategic and programmatic framework for the Tupiza River Basin, focusing on improving water security, sanitation, and climate resilience. It identifies critical vulnerabilities, including mining-related water contamination, inadequate sanitation in rural areas, and high susceptibility to floods and frosts. The plan proposes specific infrastructure investments—such as rainwater harvesting tanks, deep wells, and decentralized wastewater treatment plants—alongside gender-focused empowerment programs and sustainable mining management to mitigate environmental degradation.

The document outlines a comprehensive methodology for developing Basin Health Report Cards (BRCs), emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that integrates ecological, social, economic, and governance metrics. It categorizes indicators into six major areas—Water Quality and Quantity, Landscapes and Ecology, Management and Governance, Economy, Social and Cultural, and Health and Nutrition—and distinguishes between prescriptive and adaptive, as well as leading and lagging indicators. The guide details a four-step selection process involving stakeholder values, data scrutiny, threshold setting, and final aggregation. It also highlights emerging innovations, such as the integration of gender perspectives, Indigenous knowledge, and Environmental Justice Indices, to ensure more inclusive and equitable water resource management.