In Egypt, the Nile Delta and its 3 million small holder farmers struggle due to severe levels of salinity. The ProSal-Hydro project, funded by Partners for Water, addresses these challenges by providing an innovative, low-tech and low-cost solution using hydroponic systems in agricultural fields. Anas Azzam, project manager at consortium partner Delphy, and coordinator of the ProSal-Hydro project, shares about this innovative and accessible solution.

“After completing my master’s in water engineering and sustainable development, I have been working on multiple EU-funded projects in Egypt, focusing on sustainability, agriculture and water management,” says Anas. “What motivates me to work in this sector is the impact we can have. Seeing that results continue to have an impact after a project is finished inspires me to write new proposals and create more positive change for Egyptians who are faced with the challenges of drought, salinity and water scarcity on a daily basis.”

The ProSal-Hydro project aims to introduce innovative agricultural practices to combat salinity and water scarcity for smallholder farmers in the Nile Delta. During the pilot phase, the hydroponics systems will be implemented on five farms, along with training for farmers. The project will be coordinated and executed by Delphy International, a global expert in food and flower knowledge development and implementation. It is in collaboration with The Salt Doctors, a Dutch social enterprise company specialising in resilient farming systems for saline-affected areas, and Plug’n’Grow, an Egyptian company focused on economically viable hydroponic and aquaculture solutions.

Water scarcity and salinity

“The Nile Delta is home to over 3 million small holder farmers and serves as the primary food production area for Egypt”, says Anas. “However, sea water intrusion has led to raising salinity, affecting 40% of the farmland, particularly in the coastal area of the Nile Delta.” This critical issue requires urgent adoption of reliable, innovative agricultural practices and sustainable, smart technologies to ease the strain on freshwater consumption and soil fertility. Anas explains: “By implementing our soilless system, farmers can attain higher yields while reducing water consumption by around 80%. It offers to be a promising solution to the challenges in this vital agricultural area.”

Low-tech solution

“Most small holder farmers in Egypt don’t like high-tech solutions,” Anas points out, “they seek solutions that they can control and maintain themselves, so that they can stay independent and are less exposed to market fluctuations of spare parts.” The project offers an aquaponic system that caters to these needs and preferences. Anas explains: “The system consists of a pond that can be set up in an open field. The water is enriched with nutrients to ensure an optimal mineral balance and a pumping system is installed to provide circulation and aeration. A raft placed on top of the water, ensures evaporation is minimised.” Anas states that the water needs to be renewed only at the end of each yield cycle and that the remaining nutrient-rich water can be used to irrigate crops in the field. “This way no water is wasted.”

Stakeholder involvement

“Throughout the entire project, we maintain close collaboration with the participating farmers and actively seek their input,” says Anas. “By consistently gathering and incorporating their feedback, we aim to refine and optimize the system to local conditions, ensuring that it remains tailored to their specific needs and requirements.” To further strengthen stakeholder engagement, the project has scheduled various workshops, the first one being held in the upcoming month. “This workshop will bring together local government officials, representatives from NGOs and key stakeholders within the agriculture and water sectors,” says Anas. “Our primary objective will be to collect valuable insights and recommendations that can be incorporated in order to bolster the project’s implementation and scalability.”

What’s next?

“We have selected sites in the delta with varying water quality, salinity, and weather conditions. Currently, we are working on implementing the system,” says Anas. He explains that this has taken longer than expected: “We aim to use as many local materials as possible and achieve a low price with high efficiency. Sourcing these products requires time and constant consultation with our technical experts from Delphy and the Salt Doctors.” Fortunately, the finish line is in sight: “Next month, we will be ready to operate the system in 5 locations.”

With the Human series, we showcase the people who are involved in and benefit from the Partners for Water projects. The Human series sheds light on the stories of the people with whom and for whom Partners for Water works, and on how water affects their lives. Discover how water influences the life of Frans Janssen, who has come to understand the critical importance of ensuring that every user in the water chain is aware of its scarcity and receives their fair share.

With the Human series, we showcase the people who are involved in and benefit from the Partners for Water projects. The Human series sheds light on the stories of the people with whom and for whom Partners for Water works, and on how water affects their lives. Discover below how water influences the life of Irene Purman Cahyani, whose lifelong struggle with water scarcity has fuelled her dedication to water conservation.

Dutch-Indonesian Water Cooperation

For over fifty years, the Netherlands has been a crucial partner to Indonesia in water management, solidified by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) since June 2007. The latest MoU, covering 2022-2026, aims to elevate cooperation to a more strategic level, involving government authorities, public and private sectors, and NGOs from both nations.

Indonesia is one of the seven delta countries engaged in the Partners for Water programme for 2022-2027. Urban water security in parts of Indonesia is compromised by low access to piped water and pollution. Agriculture and poor sanitation further degrade water quality. Java, housing over half the population, faces severe water scarcity, projected to worsen by 2040. Over-exploitation of aquifers leads to subsidence and increased flood risks, especially in Jakarta. Coastal cities are also threatened by exacerbated droughts, fires, and sea level rise caused by climate change.

The collaboration with Partners for Water advocates for sustainable and integrated water management through long-term partnerships, utilizing experiences from previous programmes. Partners for Water leverages its extensive network, knowledge, and funding to address water security challenges in partner countries. By integrating Dutch and local expertise in sustainable, inclusive, and innovative water management from the early planning stages, the programme aims to foster cooperation among government entities, the private sector, NGOs, young professionals, and knowledge institutions.

The programme’s priorities include lowland development and irrigation, integrated water management, and the development of capacity, knowledge exchange, and youth engagement.

Irene Purman Cahyani: A life shaped by water scarcity

Irene Purman Cahyani, Programme Manager at AidEnvironment—a nonprofit organisation dedicated to sustainability research, strategy, and implementation—grew up in Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), a province in Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands. Despite being surrounded by water from the Indian Ocean to the Flores Sea, daily access to water was scarce.

“During my childhood, my father and I had to carry water. That’s how I really came to appreciate it. Thanks to the 3R approach, I am confident that we will have water for the next years”.

The 3R approach—Retain, Recharge, Reuse—is a low-cost, sustainable method that can be easily implemented by local communities using local materials. Cahyani, with nearly 20 years of experience, has provided technical assistance to climate resilience projects, collaborating with government departments, including the Indonesian Ministry of Environment & Forestry, National Development Planning Agency, Regional Disaster Management Agency, and the Watershed Forum. She stresses the importance of collaborating closely with other NGOs and various stakeholders. She leads focus group discussions, conducts research, and implements water conservation projects. Discover more about her ‘why’ in the Humans of Partners for Water video below.

Today, numerous NGOs, governmental organisations, and companies work on solving water issues. While collaboration could be beneficial, they often need to meet first. Therefore, on June 27 in The Hague, we organised our first matchmaking event to strengthen collaboration between consortia planning to apply for subsidies for innovative water projects. The event featured presentations and pitches from recently funded projects under the Partners for Water Subsidy Scheme.

In the invitation, participants could specify what they wanted to learn from others and which topics they could assist with. This led to a diverse and specific list of topics, making matching participants challenging. Some participants could pair one-on-one, while others needed group tables for better interaction.

Finding the right partner

On 27 June, at the partnerships table, participants discussed how hard it can be to maintain worthwhile and lasting partnerships while operating abroad. ‘We make sure to physically meet potential partners abroad to figure out if they’re really trustworthy’, one participant said. Another explained: ‘Dutch embassies can play a role in making assessments like these.’

A participant working in Vietnam explained: ‘We benefit from partnering with a university, because the provinces we work with trust the university. Our partnership with them is the result of contacting the coordination office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.’ A participant who is also active in Vietnam explained that hiring a Young Expert Professional (YEP) can also help: ‘This person helps us to understand what the local parties we collaborate with need, she speaks the language and understands the culture.’

Connecting for sustainability: insights from the Nature-based Solutions table

The Nature-based Solutions table was particularly popular, attracting several organisations to the discussion. After brief introductions, it became clear that some participants would benefit from one-on-one conversations. They moved around the table to sit next to each other, exchanging ideas and contacts.

In one of those conversations, a founder of the NGO Feedback Of The Future explained how the organisation uses regenerative practices and collaborative partnerships to foster farming communities in Kenya and East Africa. ‘We rehabilitate landscapes by planting plants, trees, and shrubs to mimic a subtropical food forest. We give farmers technical support, build new soil profiles and look for local solutions. This way we make the farming cycle more sustainable.’

Reflections on a dynamic matchmaking event

With almost 50 participants attending the matchmaking event and chatting animatedly, we hope that everyone can look back on a successful event. We aimed to provide you with more information on the Partners for Water subsidy scheme, as we strive to make the application process easier. Did we succeed or do you have any feedback? Please let us know your thoughts by sending us an email.

Kick off – eight new subsidised projects

The second part of the event was a kick off for eight projects that have recently received financial support through the Partners for Water Subsidy Scheme. A lot of the matchmaking participants stayed to see the presentations of these new projects. It gave them valuable insights into what other organisations are doing and what they aim to achieve with their innovative water project, with the help of a Partners for Water subsidy.

For example, Wouter Lengkeek from BESE Ecosystem Restoration Projects presented his organisation’s project on restoring degraded ecosystems along the coastal zones of the United States. BESE does this by using temporary biodegradable and circular structures crafted from biopolymers, providing a kickstart for restoring organisms in struggling salt marshes, mangroves and shellfish reefs. Erik van der Putte, Project manager at WaterMappers, also gave a presentation about the organisation’s work on mapping underground water resources in India. He explained how WaterMappers helps farmers to increase yields and reduce risks by providing volumetric water budgets through real-time, sensor-based time series modelling. For more information on the projects, check out our website.

Still two remaining subsidy rounds

There are still two remaining subsidy rounds within the Partners for Water programme. If something is still unclear or if you have any questions, please reach out to us by sending us an email. Please schedule a mandatory intake interview  before 15 August. Have you already had your intake interview? Then you’re ready to apply! Apply and find out whether your innovative water pilot of feasibility project will receive a financial boost.

Next matchmaking event!

On 23 January 2025, we will organise another matchmaking event. Stay tuned for more information. We will inform you about this event via our website, newsletter and LinkedIn page.

The Partners for Water subsidy scheme explained

On 1 October 2024, Partners for Water and the International Union for Conservation of Nature in The Netherlands (IUCN) are organising a biodiversity event at Museon in the Hague.

This event will showcase the value of biodiversity, it will give you insights in overcoming obstacles to combat biodiversity decline and increasing water security and how to mainstream biodiversity within international development and water security programmes.

Visit the eventpage and discover who’s invited, why you should attend and how you can registrate.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to support & weigh in on this crucial cause with us to help shape a sustainable future.

A few weeks ago, we spoke with Sonu Khanal, hydrologist at FutureWater, to follow up on the Roadside Spring Protection to Improve Water Security’ project (RoSPRo). Future Water, a research and consulting organisation that combines scientific research with practical solutions for water management globaly, is leading the technical component in the RoSPro project in two municipalities of Dhankuta and Chhathar Jorpati Rural in the Dhankuta district of Nepal. The project addresses the importance of springs for the livelihoods of mountain communities, while simultaneously improving the road infrastructure, recognising that roads and springs significantly impact each other.

Economic developments and population growth are resulting in more roads for commuters and trade. The expansion of the road network causes the disruption of the original natural springs that become roadside springs, due to the implementation of infrastructure.

Spring water is vital for nearly 100 million people living in the hills and mountains, such as in Nepal and the Himalayas, who rely on these springs for drinking water since river water in these regions is often polluted and undrinkable.

The project, which began last June, is vital for the local communities, says Khanal who supervises the technical aspects of the project. “We aim to address the widespread issue of drying springs and severe water shortages. To do this effectively, we first need to identify their locations and recharge areas, understand how springs function, and monitor their flow patterns and amounts”.

Integrating road planning

Khanal emphasizes the importance of integrating road development with water flow management in hilly and mountainous areas. “In this project, we aim to highlight the crucial role of springs in the water management of the Himalayas. Poorly managed springs are often blamed on climate change, but effective management practices can greatly enhance water availability and sustainability. Once a spring’s flow is disrupted, restoring it is nearly impossible. Therefore, meticulous planning is essential to ensure that road construction does not harm these vital water sources.”

Advanced methods

FutureWater has been using advanced methods and tools to map the behaviour of watersheds and springs and provide advice on managing spring water, considering social and economic factors, especially for mountain areas. “The overall objective is to help stakeholders in Nepal to develop science-informed policies for road and water management to promote ‘water security for all’. To achieve this, we collaborated with local communities, municipalities, and regional and national stakeholders to harness their traditional knowledge and tailor the approach to the local context and needs.”

Consortium partners

Since 2014, MetaMeta has promoted using roads for improved water management and climate resilience, beyond just connectivity. This approach integrates roads into the landscape, reduces water-related damage, and ensures year-round accessibility. In mountainous regions, MetaMeta has explored how roads can protect springs and enhance the landscape, leading to a national guideline by the Department of Local Infrastructures (DOLI).

Partnering with FutureWater and ICIMOD, MetaMeta advanced this project. For over two decades, FutureWater has worked on integrated water resources management, climate change impacts, and disaster risk management in Nepal and Asia, offering expertise in quantitative methods, simulation models, GIS, and satellite observations. FutureWater’s toolkits, tailored to local needs, are publicly available. ICIMOD, with extensive experience in springshed management, brings strong institutional partnerships to the project. Khanal explained: “We’re collaborating with DOLI, responsible for all road activities in Nepal, to address the crucial but overlooked issue of springs, vital for mountain communities’ livelihoods, providing drinking water, education support, and enabling small-scale irrigation.” This collaboration leverages the expertise of multiple organizations to emphasize the critical role of springs in sustaining mountain communities.

Digital twins

Khanal explains that in this project, FutureWater is setting up ‘digital twins’ for the springs and watershed using ground-based and satellite-based information. “A digital twin model helps us to understand the behaviour of specific springs and watersheds mathematically. It will help us to identify the sources of water and recharge zones, and calculate the water amount and flow pattern in the watershed.”
The digital twin, combined with a robust decision support system, will help stakeholders to identify the costs and benefits of various interventions needed to restore springs and manage watersheds effectively. Khanal emphasises that this approach is unique because “these digital toolkits will help stakeholders make informed decisions about water management.”

The project will first be piloted on a small scale, with the involvement of the local community and relevant stakeholders to ensure effective implementation. To this end, four critical springs were identified together with the local community. Several data collection expeditions and field visits have been conducted to collect data and information on these springs. The field data will help tailor the digital twins to the local climate and context.
“To facilitate the data collection, monitoring, surveys, focus group discussions, and project implementation, a satellite office has been set up in the region by the consortium lead. The consortium is also using local knowledge by engaging the community and local consultants.”

Approach and phase

“We’re now in the pilot phase, aiming at pre-monsoon interventions,“ Khanal says, confident that the project will be a success. “Protecting springs near roads by constructing Gabion walls and French mattresses is essential to safeguard water outlets. Gabion walls are constructed by assembling wire mesh baskets, filling them with stones, and stacking them to control erosion and retain soil. French mattresses are drainage structures that stabilise soft soils; they are built by excavating the area, laying geotextile fabric, filling it with stones, wrapping the fabric over the stones, and securing the structure. Both methods improve drainage and enhance the stability of water outlets, protecting them from erosion and damage. We’re also building tanks to collect and store spring water, ensuring a consistent supply despite natural fluctuations in water availability.

Goals

Khanal concludes that ideally, “with persistent efforts, we will have built sufficient trust within a year for the community to actively participate in co-designing the process. Immediate benefits, such as a consistent water supply from newly built tanks, are evident. But long-term benefits like increased water availability due to roadside spring protection measures, will take several years to materialise. We are transparent with the community about this timeline, ensuring they understand that while some impacts are immediate, others require patience and time. The project aims for scalability across the Himalayas and similar regions, supported by partnerships with organisations like ICIMOD and potential funding from other entities.

Innovation in progress series

During the Partners for Water 2022 – 2027 programme, several projects that received the Partners for Water subsidy will be followed from start to finish. Over the next few years, they will take you with them on their transformative journey. You’ll be able to gain insights into their promising solutions, innovative processes and collaborations with local partners, as well as their struggles, challenges and valuable lessons learned. RoSPro is part of the innovation in progress series. Click on the button below to find out what was discussed during the first interview.

How can degraded farmland in the Surinamese jungle be regenerated? Johan Tijms from agricultural mechanisation company Tijms Mechanisatie VOF can explain. Together with consortium partner Attro Trading Africa, he is addressing Suriname’s drought and salinisation challenges through an innovative pilot project funded by Partners for Water. Discover how they are bringing soil back to life through an affordable and effective approach.

Johan Tijms, director of Tijms Mechanisatie VOF, has been working in the international field of soil regeneration and sustainable irrigation systems for over 25 years. From his office in Geesbrug, he elaborates on the innovative ‘Precise Irrigation Systems’ project. Together with the business consulting and project development organisation Attro Trading Africa, he aims to provide sustainable solutions for problems in agriculture arising from poor soil conditions. In Suriname, the consortium is tackling these challenges through a pilot project funded by Partners for Water. This pilot is testing a solar-powered, sensor-controlled drip irrigation and desalination system designed to address local drought, salinisation and flooding issues, ultimately rehabilitating degraded agricultural land owned by an indigenous Surinamese community.

Drought and salinisation

“Due to drought and unsustainable farming practices, Surinamese agricultural land is rapidly becoming comparable to concrete,” says Johan. “In some areas, the soil is so degraded that it doesn’t absorb water anymore. This causes water to accumulate, leading to both flooding and unusable farmland.” Suriname suffers not only from drought but also from salinisation. “The salt content of groundwater in Suriname is often too high for irrigation practices, leading to crop failures and threatening livelihoods. For instance, the members of the indigenous community where we are conducting the pilot project cannot sustain themselves with their conventional farming practices and must buy additional food from the market.”

From concrete to sponge

“Our solution creates usable irrigation water and turns soil into a water-absorbing sponge,” says Johan. “We achieve this through a drip irrigation system which applies water slowly and efficiently at the root zone of the plants. By doing so, it reduces the amount of runoff and therefore soil erosion.” In addition, the consortium desalinates ground water by using a desalination machine that utilises calcium carbonate. Johan explains: “This method is more cost-effective than others, such as reverse osmosis, due to its lower energy consumption and cheaper materials.” Both the drip and desalination machines are powered by solar panels. “All together, this makes the solution affordable for the relatively poor local community.”

In practice

“The piece of agricultural land we are regenerating covers an area of about five hectares and is located in the middle of the Surinamese jungle. It belongs to an indigenous community of about 300 people.” Johan explains that the land had been declared unusable. “In practice, an unusable piece of farmland means new land will be cleared by cutting down trees. When that land also becomes unusable, the same cycle is repeated. Now that the local community is receiving tools and training to keep the land farmable, not only are their livelihoods improving, but consistent deforestation is also prevented.”

A self-sustaining project

Tijms installed the machines together with Attro. “We train the users to maintain the machines themselves and we’re ready to assist whenever necessary. For instance, a water pump broke down initially because it had pumped up too much sand. We decided to get on a plane with new parts to repair the pump ourselves,” says Johan. He continues: “The success of such a project depends on the commitment and effort from both you and the users. If both parties are dedicated to its success, then you ensure it happens.”

“We also provided financial and business training to prepare the community for maintenance costs,” notes Johan. “Essentially, the installation should facilitate enough harvest to not only sustain livelihoods but also sell crops at the market. This enables the community to save money to replace certain installation components when they near the end of their life cycle. This way, the project becomes self-sustaining.”

Successful collaborations

“So far, the project has been a great success, and we owe much of that to some fantastic collaborations,” notes Johan. “For instance, the Dutch Embassy and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries in Suriname have actively helped us with their network and by connecting us with the participating community. Additionally, the community leader was incredibly motivated. Thanks to her dedication and involvement, the project has been embraced by the whole community.” Johan continues, “our collaboration with Partners for Water has also been incredibly valuable. The Partners for Water team has provided significant support, always responded quickly, and demonstrated their commitment to the successful completion of this project in every way.”

What’s next?

“In November, we will complete the project. So far, it seems to be very successful! Based on soil samples, we see that desalination is working and the soil is becoming nutrient-rich and porous again. Additionally, the local community is already selling products at the market.” The solution has significant potential for scaling up both within Suriname and internationally. Johan notes that they already plan to implement parts of this concept in another region of Suriname. “Through the drip irrigation system in combination with a bio enzyme, we plan to clean the soil of Fusarium, a common fungus in banana plants, in certain banana plantations in Suriname.”

An Indian water delegation is visiting the Netherlands from July 14-17, 2024, as part of the strategic partnership on water between India and the Netherlands, implemented under the Partners for Water Programme. Alongside Dutch counterparts from the ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management and Partners for Water, they will visit innovative Dutch water works, Nature-based Solutions and network events, strengthening the long-lasting water relationship between the two countries.

The delegation comprises Government officials who are responsible for strategic policy planning, decision making and implementation at central and state level.  The Ministry of Jal Shakti, Central Government of India, are representing the National Mission for Clean Ganga, Central Ground Water Board and Central Water Commission. From the Government of West Bengal, the Irrigation and Waterways Department are present. And finally, from the Government of Kerala, the Water Resources Department and irrigation department are represented.

During their visit, the delegation will be accompanied by Luit-Jan Dijkhuis, delta coordinator India at the Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management and Liliane Geerling, programme coordinator of the Partners for Water programme from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).

Sharing water expertise

The delegation will visit various Dutch waterworks, such as the Zandmotor (Sand Motor), a nature-based coastal protection project; the Harnaschpolder wastewater treatment plant, known for its sustainable and efficient water treatment processes; the Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier, a remarkable example of Dutch delta management; the Keersluis, a historic flood control structure; and the Afsluitdijk, the iconic dike that also serves as a causeway and separates the Waddenzee from the IJsselmeer lake. Additionally, they will delve into Dutch water history with a visit to the Watersnoodmuseum (Flood Museum) and gain inspiration from presentations and talks during visits to various Dutch water organizations. Moreover, ideas, innovations, and potential collaborations will be explored during networking events, where the Dutch water sector, active or planning to be active in India, has been invited to meet the delegation.

Strengthening partnerships

Partners for Water is delighted to welcome the Indian water delegation to the Netherlands and looks forward to fostering collaboration and partnerships between our two nations. This visit presents an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and explore innovative solutions to address water-related challenges. We anticipate that this visit will lead to fruitful collaborations and further strengthen the already strong water relationship between the Indian and Dutch water sector.

Read more about the strategic water partnership on Dutchwatersector.com

India Water Impact Summit

Are you also active or planning to be active in India? The India Water Impact Summit (IWIS) will be held in New Delhi from 17 – 21 September. If you are interested, please click here to read more about it.

The Government of Indonesia, in partnership with the East Java Province and the Government of the Netherlands, continues to collaborate on addressing water challenges in the Welang Watershed works in East Java, Indonesia. The project began in 2020, and is currently midway through its second phase.

By engaging in a co-creation process with communities, regional experts, and provincial and local governments, the project further details priority interventions for key water challenges in the catchment area. Here are some updates on the progress.

A multi-stakeholder approach

Rapid urban and economic development in the Welang Watershed has led to numerous water-related challenges. These include erosion on slopes, sedimentation in rivers, urban flooding, and water distribution issues. Given the involvement of many stakeholders in both the problems and their solutions, the project adopts a multi-stakeholder approach, guided by three key principles:

1. Achieving Practical Co-Creation Results: Ensuring solutions are compatible with the Indonesian water framework.
2. Creating Replicable Solutions: Developing solutions that can be implemented without substantial external support.
3. Mobilizing Local Resources: Fostering an environment where local resources are utilized for joint solutions.

These guiding principles are applied across both the upstream and mid-/downstream areas of the Welang River, allowing the project to tackle challenges from multiple perspectives and involve various sets of stakeholders.

Integrated focus across the catchment

Wonosari and Surorowo
In the upstream areas of the Welang River, the focus is on water resource conservation. This is achieved by introducing low-cost and low-tech soil and water conservation measures, such as gully plugs. These measures are designed to reduce runoff and soil erosion, and increase water infiltration. Project activities in the upstream areas center around the Wonosari tea plantation and the Surorowo sub-village.

At Wonosari, coordination with the tea plantation administration ensured strong support throughout the implementation phase. This collaboration resulted in the successful installation of 140 gully plugs. A month later, feedback from the tea plantation administrator confirmed that the plugs effectively mitigated runoff onto the streets after heavy rainfall.

To begin implementation in Surorowo, a collaboration agreement was needed between Perhutani, the concession permit holder, and the East Java Province, the project partner. Thanks to the strong commitment from both parties, the administrative process was completed much faster than usual. This efficiency allowed ground implementation to start in parallel, resulting in the completion of 18 gully plugs by April, with plans for more.

Community

The active involvement of the community in the construction process sparked enthusiasm among local people. Many expressed interest in replicating similar infrastructure on their own, empowered by the realization that these initiatives can be achieved with locally available materials. Pak Imam, the manager of the tea plantation, explained: “Yes, it works. Before we implemented these gully plugs, there was usually runoff after it rained, and we couldn’t pass the small roads in the plantation.”

Additionally, in collaboration with the University of Malang, the implemented measures are being monitored to collect baseline data on runoff volume, existing gullies, sedimentation, and infiltration rates.

Sidogiri / Welang Lama

In the downstream and midstream areas of the Welang River catchment, specifically in Sidogiri and Welang Lama, significant progress is being made to address frequent flooding issues affecting local communities. A key part of this effort involved workshops with local schools to raise awareness and encourage community participation in waste management, recognizing that waste blockages are a major cause of flooding. These initiatives emerged from the initial co-creation session where stakeholders identified waste management as crucial for flood mitigation.

Collaborations with Universitas Negeri Malang, Universitas Brawijaya, and ITS Surabaya have driven progress. Students conducted detailed field surveys to understand the dynamics of flooding. This data, combined with a hydraulic assessment by the project team, formed the foundation for a co-creation workshop where stakeholders reviewed and provided feedback on proposed flood mitigation measures. This inclusive approach ensures that solutions have community support and incorporate local knowledge, paving the way for lasting impact in managing the river basin’s challenges.

Strategic alignment with ongoing NL-funded projects

One of the goals of the Welang project is to integrate and align its activities with other initiatives in the East Java region to enhance capacity-building and promote local ownership. The Welang project has partnered with the OKP tailor-made training program, designed to equip civil servants in East Java Province with essential skills for cross-sectoral collaboration and addressing water management challenges.

Additionally, the project is exploring collaboration opportunities with the Brantas River basin project, which aims to improve wastewater management. In February and March, site visits to the Brantas River were conducted to gain insights from the Brantasae application, with the aim of integrating its features into the Welang project. Brantasae is a map-based application that collects public-uploaded data on water quality, waste generation, and overall river basin issues or initiatives. It serves as a data inventory platform to support river assessment and monitoring.

Background Information:
The Dutch-Indonesian Consortium embodies a collaborative and sustainable approach to addressing Indonesia’s water challenges.
The project is facilitated by the consortium comprising three key organizations: Witteveen + Bos, Nuffic Southeast Asia, and AidEnvironment.

• Witteveen + Bos: Leads overall project management and provides expertise in hydraulic modeling, alongside coordinating community waste management activities.
• Nuffic Southeast Asia: Ensures the integration of co-created solutions within institutions, engaging regional experts and students in the process.
• AidEnvironment: Facilitates community involvement and implements agricultural solutions focused on water conservation and erosion control.

Funded by Partners for Water

This project has been receiving funding by Partners for Water because we underpin the longstanding cooperation between the governments of Indonesia and the Netherlands on water management (MoU Water) and are dedicated to enhancing water security globally through enduring partnerships between local stakeholders and the Dutch water sector. By fostering knowledge exchange, promoting innovations, and advocating an integrated approach, we aim to contribute positively to water security for people, plants, and animals.

For further inquiries, please contact: Simon van Meijeren, Programme Advisor Partners for Water Indonesia.