Lessons learned from pilot projects on monitoring and assessment of transboundary rivers Martin Adriaanse

Objectives of Pilot projects To demonstrate recommended practices To support with implementation To learn for guidelines review To increase transboundary co-operation

PILOT PROJECT ACTIVITIES INCEPTION PHASE agreement countries (MOU) agreement countries (MOU) financing financing project organisation project organisation PREPARATORY PHASE water management analysis water management analysis inventories inventories evaluation of legislation evaluation of legislation surveys surveys information needs information needs strategies strategies recommendations for improvement recommendations for improvement IMPLEMENTATION PHASE

REPORTS 1.Inception report 2.Identification and review of water management issues 3.Recommendations for improvement and cost estimates

 M&A approaches brought on a higher level  in several countries a first opportunity for a river basin approach in international contacts – pioneer projects  projects pushed ministries to start new approaches to M&A  strong examples of implementation of the convention; advertisement of a logic and cost effective approach to monitoring and assessment PROJECT RESULTS

 Projects take much more time than expected  Make good and flexible working teams amended with relevant experts  Create opportunities for work sessions of the projectteams.  Political and legislative changes in countries are interrupting the progress  The structure of project activities was very useful.  The TORs were not enough clear.  Start with TORs, but keep them a bit flexible  Set limits to the flexibility of the TORs  Cooperation between two countries is much easier than with three.  In neighbouring countries the responsibilities for taking decisions can be on different levels.  Keep in touch with the international river basin commissions PROJECT ORGANISATION

 strengthening of the cooperation between countries.  experience obtained how to organise cooperation on river basin scale  experience obtained to be applied in other working groups in transboundary cooperation  how to prepare reports and how to communicate results.  opportunities to learn English as a common language for cooperation.  how to approach collaboration between experts of different states. PERSONAL SKILLS

 Important to know people from neighbouring countries and their mentality.  Making friends in other countries is a good basis for cooperation.  The WFD came in later; it would have been easier if the pilot projects had started at the same time; the situation will be easier for groundwater pilots that start these days.  In many cases a joint project was only possible because a good and friendly group of experts was created. PERSONAL ASPECTS

 Positive changes in preparedness for exchange of data.  Traditional way of thinking can be an obstacle for communication: dare to raise and to answer questions. MENTALITY CHANGES

1. Country project leaders/authors – from national budget * Available time, priority * Management support * Available budget 3. Recommended approach – more than a monitoring programme * Much more time needed * Practice of following standards 2. English language is a major problem * discussions, reading documents, writing reports Additional: