In the mountainous regions of Nepal, natural springs are vital sources of drinking water for millions of people and animals. However, as road networks expand due to the need for connectivity, these natural springs are increasingly disrupted, leading to severe spillage and water shortages in local communities. Additionally, water seepage can compromise road durability, posing further challenges. Project RoSPro, supported by Partners for Water, revives Nepal’s mountain springs to strengthen long-term water security through innovative, community-driven Nature-based Solutions.

Dhankuta: Balancing economic growth with sustainability

Since June 2023, Saroj Yakami (who works at MetaMeta) and Madhav Dhakal and Sanjeev Bhuchar (who both work at The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) have been working on an innovative project to secure springs while simultaneously improving road construction through community driven, Nature-based Solutions. The initiative aims to develop a model that balances economic growth with sustainability. FutureWater is the third partner in this consortium.

Operating across Dhankuta Municipality and Chhathar Jorpati Rural Municipality, within a 71-square-kilometre watershed area, the project has successfully combined advanced data analysis with existing knowledge in the community. To maintain water quality and prevent contamination from traffic and environmental factors for instance, springs need to be protected by barriers or Nature-based Solutions such as vegetation buffers and simple earth structures.

Combining science and local knowledge for water security

To guarantee water flow and natural filtration methods to keep the water clean and safe for consumption, FutureWater, a Netherlands-based scientific research and consulting firm, utilized an existing small-scale hydrological planning model (SPHY) that is well-suited to mountainous regions. This model accounts for all the characteristics of such areas, including elevation differences, steep slopes, and snowfall patterns. Alongside this, a data-driven decision support system (DSS) that uses climate, soil, and land use data to support water management decisions was implemented.

The social enterprise MetaMeta has contributed over 20 years of expertise in water governance, land management, and climate adaptation to the project, protecting both springs and roads through a combination of measures. Additionally, MetaMeta set up a communication plan that ensures wide adaptation and the sustainability of the approach. ICIMOD brings decades of experience in spring management, working closely with the people who live and work in the area.

Achievements: more water, safer roads, better livelihoods

MetaMeta and ICIMOD recently provided an update on the project’s successes. Madhav Dhakal emphasized the importance of involving local leaders at every stage. He proudly reported that the collaborative effort has resulted in an increase of at least one litre per minute of available water in March 2025 compared to March last year. “That means water is now accessible to about 32 more people per day per spring.” This increase significantly benefits local inhabitants who previously had to fetch water from distant sources and can now invest the time saved in agricultural activities, improving livelihoods.

While MetaMeta is leading the overall project, FutureWater is focussing on a blueprint for scaling up similar efforts using scientific models that integrate ground data from test sites. Besides improvements related to water, roads are now safer and durable. There is less damage caused by water and repair costs are substantially lower, which helps people get around more easily and makes the area more accessible.

Simple structures and Nature-based Solutions to protect springs

A local NGO, HUSADEC, along with a dedicated young researcher from MetaMeta based in Dhankuta, has played an important role in roadside spring protection and spring management. They mobilised local communities, organised them into spring user groups, gathered existing information, and facilitated their active participation in designing, implementing, and monitoring the project.

With help from local communities and municipal authorities, four important springs were identified. To protect these water sources and nearby roads from erosion and damage, several simple structures were built. These include spring boxes, collection chambers, gabion walls, small dams made of plants, roadside drains, and drainage pipes or culverts. These green interventions function as practical Nature-based Solutions, while water tanks and tap stands were also installed to make sure water is available even during dry periods and to reduce water loss.

To keep the springs flowing in the long-term, small recharge structures – such as trenches and ponds – were created to collect rainwater. These affordable, earth-based solutions help rainwater soak into the ground rather than running off, keeping the springs healthy and supporting the local water supply.

Challenges and lessons learned

The project encountered several challenges during implementation:

• Construction during monsoon season was complex and required local knowledge to protect structures. In some cases, parts of retaining walls had to be redesigned and reconstructed due to damage caused by excess water.
• Budget limitations required design modifications in consultation with municipalities and local engineers with contributions from the community, municipality and ICIMOD for implementation.
• Land acquisition for recharge measures was difficult when the land was privately owned. Mediation with local stakeholders was essential to gain access. The municipality plays a vital role for the negotiations with different stakeholders.
• The fact that spring outlets shift when construction work takes place nearby showed the need for caution when working near spring water sources.
• Rights and environmental laws can complicate the execution of the project.

Local knowledge in water security

These challenges, while initially stressful for the community, were eventually managed using local expertise and took about two weeks to resolve. Despite the technical difficulties, the project remained on schedule. An important lesson was recognizing the value of local wisdom and the need to listen more closely to the knowledge of local people, who traditionally avoid touching or disturbing springs, as springs are natural wonders that they respect enormously.

For example, the community tried to extract water from a spring which seemed to have disappeared. They resolved this issue by using local techniques, which involved compacting the soil around the spring with black soil, effectively restoring the water flow. This demonstrates how local knowledge and traditional methods can be used to address challenges in water management. Additionally, the team realized the importance of integrating vegetation and using bamboo, a method that local people have been using for years to protect springs.

Community ownership drives long-term water security

After a year of monitoring, the consortium is satisfied with the progress. Local communities and municipalities are requesting more such initiatives, and some have already started their own roadside spring protection projects. This demonstrates how a co-designed, participatory approach fosters community ownership.
Although the current project phase is set to conclude in June, the consortium will leave behind crucial data, including a cost-benefit analysis considering social, environmental, and economic impacts. Involving local communities has proved to be very useful because of their valuable knowledge about the springs and their surroundings, but also for ongoing monitoring and maintenance necessary to keep the springs clean and functional. As unforeseen events like floods or droughts can impact spring protection efforts, the model needs to be adaptable to other regions.

A blueprint for scaling up Nature-based Solutions for spring protection

This collaborative initiative exemplifies how integrated approaches can address complex environmental challenges while benefiting local communities. By combining technical expertise with community-led efforts, the project not only revives natural springs and protects roads but also enhances livelihoods and builds resilience against future water scarcity.

Community involvement has been central to the project’s success. Through focus group discussions, surveys, training programmes, and a co-design approach, residents have been empowered to actively participate in monitoring and implementation efforts. While immediate benefits, such as improved access to water for drinking and agricultural use, are already evident, long-term impacts will take years to materialize. Transparency will be maintained with communities about this timeline, fostering trust and collaboration for sustainable outcomes.

As part of the Partners for Water innovation programme (2022–2027), this initiative demonstrates the transformative potential of combining scientific expertise with local partnerships. Through persistent efforts and collaboration, it paves the way for systemic change in water management and infrastructure planning. This will ensure that progress does not come at the expense of vital natural resources.

Innovation in progress series

During the Partners for Water programme 2022 – 2027, 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. Stay tuned and follow their journey through the Partners for Water website and our LinkedIn page!

In Nyeri County, Kenya, a team of Dutch and Kenyan partners is testing a water technology innovation that could transform local fish farming. Supported by Partners for Water, the Affordable Recirculating Aquaculture System pilot project (A-RAS-2) is led by the Food Systems and Poverty Alleviation (FOSPA) Foundation in Africa, in collaboration with FOSPA-Kenya and Systemic Consultancy. The project addresses Kenya’s severe protein deficit and the recurring challenges of drought. Project leads Katrine Soma and Charles Mbauni share how it works.

A systems approach

At its core, A-RAS-2 offers small-scale fish farmers a water-efficient, nutrient-reusing, solar-powered alternative to traditional ponds. The pilot project aims to demonstrate that these systems can produce up to 25 times more fish while using only 2–5 percent of the water required in conventional ponds and providing manure for the farmer’s mixed farming systems.

But A-RAS- 2 is more than just a new water technology, it adopts a systems approach built on a deep understanding of the local food system and its interlinked challenges. Beyond addressing farmer’s needs, the project strengthens multiple links in the chain. It stimulates local entrepreneurship in producing technology components and fish marketing and improves consumers access to affordable, nutritious food. On a wider scale, it contributes to climate-neutral, resource-efficient food production with the potential to save over 216 million cubic metres of water per year across Kenya.

From research to practice

For nearly a decade, social scientist Katrine Soma has studied Kenya’s food systems with a particular focus on fish. She works at Wageningen Social and Economic Research and is the chair and founder of the FOSPA-Africa Foundation in the Netherlands. Working closely alongside her is Charles Mbauni, chairman of the Nyeri Fish Farmers Cooperative Society and co-founder and chair of FOSPA-Kenya.

“I have worked in Kenya since 2018, researching bottlenecks in the fish food system,” explains Soma. “Through FOSPA-Africa, Charles and I combine research and implementation hand in hand.”

Mbauni adds: “As chairman of the cooperative, I saw first-hand the challenges in water use, fish growth and costly technology. That is how the idea of an affordable recirculating aquaculture system was born.”

Transforming challenges into innovations

“Kenya, like much of the Horn of Africa, faces chronic food insecurity, mostly driven by climate change and recurring droughts,” says Mbauni. “Protein is in particularly short supply. When drought strikes, traditional sources such as beef and sheep are no longer sustainable due to their high water footprint.”

Recognizing this, the government launched the ‘Eat More Fish’ campaign to promote fish consumption,” explains Soma. Mbauni adds: “Demand for fish is high and far exceeds local production. In fact, 70 per cent of fish consumed in Kenya is imported.”

Against this backdrop, A-RAS offers a breakthrough. “Traditional ponds are about 300m2 and stock no more than five fish per cubic metre, producing around 280 kilograms per pond,” notes Mbauni. “By contrast, A-RAS can reach densities of nearly 200 fish per cubic metre, producing more than 7,000 kilograms in the same space.”

“This is an enormous difference,” says Soma. “It means more fish, more protein, and at the same time we release land and water for other purposes”.

Practical, affordable and circular water technology

The technology is both innovative and pragmatic. “Recirculating aquaculture systems are usually expensive,” says Soma. “We focused on affordability – using local materials, cheaper or second-hand parts and high quality components where essential.” The result is a mix of simple tanks and advanced yet affordable water management.

“The tanks are made locally and in a simple yet durable manner,” explains Mbauni. “At the same time, the air and water pumps are high quality and supplied by Dutch entrepreneurs.” A settling tank filters solid waste, which is reused as fertiliser. A nitrification tank with microorganism removes nitrogen. Different oxygenation technologies are being tested, including nano and microbubbles.

Mbauni continuous: “Each system has six tanks with fish at different growth stages, allowing farmers to maintain a steady income throughout the year. This enables them to reinvest in quality feed essential for water and fish health.”

Soma concludes: “In the end, it is high-tech translated into practical, affordable solutions. And because the system runs on solar energy for water recirculation, it is climate neutral,”

Consortium and partners

The pilot project builds on a feasibility study carried out by FOSPA-Africa together with AquaFarmingConsult and Wageningen University & Research, supported by Partners for Water.

In this second phase, the consortium consists of FOSPA-Africa, FOSPA-Kenya and Systemic Consultancy. FOSPA-Africa brings together research, implementation and technical and financial expertise to refine the water technology and develop accessible business models for scaling.

Engaging stakeholders

From the start, farmers have been at the heart of the project. Mbauni represents a cooperative of around 1,000 fish farmers whose feedback informs every stage of the process. To ensure diversity, five farmers were involved in both the feasibility study and the pilot, among them women, young farmers and a disabled farmer.

“Working with the cooperative means we know immediately what works and what doesn’t,” says Soma. “Farmers tell us: this is a good idea, that is not. This direct communication saves time and ensures solutions are truly practical and acceptable.”

This bottom-up approach goes beyond farmers. In Kibera, Nairobi’s largest informal settlement, local leaders, consumers and women vendors co-created solutions for fish distribution. “Our solution is not an external, foreign thing,” says Mbauni. “It’s embedded in the community, where people trust and support each other.”

Next steps

To advance the project, the consortium has built a new A-RAS-2 facility in Nyeri County. “This enables gathering of reliable data and refining oxygenation technologies, with the first results expected next year,” says Soma.

On this basis, the project aims to scale up across Kenya, moving from fish production to a complete food system with feed, fingerlings, processing and training hubs. “We’re developing financing models to make the systems accessible for small-scale farmers,” notes Mbauni. “The long-term goal is to turn proven pilots into a nationwide movement, with potential expansion to neighbouring countries such as Uganda and Ethiopia.”

Innovation in progress series

The Partners for Water 5 programme (2022 – 2027) follows several projects that received the Partners for Water subsidy from start to finish. Over the next few years, these projects will take you on their journey of testing the feasibility or application of innovative solutions to enhance water safety and water security abroad. You’ll be able to gain insights into their processes, collaborations with local partners and their potential solutions; as well as their struggles, challenges and their lessons learned. Discover all projects. 

What do you do when a city floods during the monsoon, yet faces water shortages in the dry season? Or when you aim to build resilient infrastructure but are confronted with challenges such as informal settlements? For many cities, climate change is exposing these urban vulnerabilities, particularly in delta and coastal areas. Yet it also presents an opportunity to make cities not only more resilient, but also more liveable. We explored what makes a climate-resilient city, and the experiences of five delta cities on the front line of climate change: Semarang, Thủ Đức, Cartagena, Chennai and Beira.

Climate change poses a direct threat to the wellbeing of billions of urban residents. In all cities, climate-related risks are on the rise. At the same time, urbanisation continues to intensify. By 2050, nearly 70% of the world’s population will live in cities. This growth is putting increased pressure on infrastructure, water, space and public health. Mitigation alone is no longer enough. We must adapt to a climate where extremes are the new normal: too much, too little, or polluted water, as well as heatwaves and droughts.

Without action, damage to urban infrastructure could reach $415 billion per year. The urban poor are hit hardest, often living in high-risk areas without adequate protection. Yet urgency also brings opportunity. By approaching cities as interconnected systems, and working with water and nature, we can build climate-resilient cities that are not only robust, but also greener, healthier and more inclusive.

What is a climate-resilient city?

A climate-resilient city can absorb shocks, adapt to changing conditions, and recover quickly from extreme weather events such as sea level rise, heatwaves, flooding or drought. Resilience goes beyond physical structures – it also applies to institutions, governance systems, and communities. Increasingly, cities are moving from a mindset of control to one of working with change. With smart design, risks can be turned into opportunities: rainwater is captured and reused, urban heat becomes a driver for green and shaded spaces, and nature is integrated as vital infrastructure. Cities that plan ahead and reduce future risks can remain liveable, even under pressure.

Nature-based Solutions and climate-resilient cities

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are approaches to societal challenges that harness natural processes, such as vegetation, soil and water. For cities, they offer an important alternative to traditional ‘grey’ infrastructure such as drainage systems and concrete flood barriers. Because they evolve with changing conditions and deliver multiple benefits simultaneously, NBS are particularly well suited to strengthening urban resilience. Examples include green roofs that reduce heat stress and retain rainwater, or city parks and mangroves that buffer water and slow down flooding. When they are well integrated into urban planning and policy, NBS can create synergy between climate mitigation and adaptation, while also enhancing liveability and biodiversity.

Despite their proven value, NBS are still applied on a relatively limited scale compared to grey infrastructure. Upscaling is essential to ensure cities can withstand increasing pressure from heat, drought and extreme rainfall. Partners for Water works from a systems perspective to maximise the benefits of these solutions, developing sustainable approaches with a strong focus on operation and maintenance.

Five climate-resilient cities around the globe

Semarang

Semarang is a fast-growing coastal city on Java’s north shore that faces some of Indonesia’s most pressing climate challenges. The city’s population has grown from around 1 million to about 1.7 million over the past twenty years. Severe land subsidence – in some areas up to 20 centimetres per year – combined with tidal flooding, flash floods and water scarcity affects residents’ daily lives. Rapid urbanisation and reliance on groundwater extraction further worsen the risks. But the tide is turning: the city aims to become climate-resilient by 2045 through long-term, integrated planning.

To tackle its water challenges, Semarang applies a mix of measures. These include rainwater harvesting in homes and shared spaces to mangrove rehabilitation along the coast, vetiver planting to prevent landslides, and early warning systems for floods and vector-borne diseases. Building on these efforts, the Water as Leverage programme, supported by Partners for Water, pilots integrated, multi-stakeholder solutions that combine NBS with conventional infrastructure and smart data technologies. By bringing together Dutch and Indonesian expertise with strong local involvement, these projects support Semarang towards becoming a climate-resilient city. Read more about Semarang.

Cartagena

Colombia’s historic port city Cartagena is under pressure. The city is growing rapidly but faces rising sea levels, flooding and extreme heat. Most of its one million residents live in low-lying areas, making them especially vulnerable to flooding. By 2050, projections suggest that sea levels around Cartagena – amplified by ongoing land subsidence – could rise by more than 30 centimetres. These predictions put even greater pressure on coastal neighbourhoods. Through the Water as Leverage programme, with support from Partners for Water, residents, local experts and city officials are working together on plans that address both climate risks and socio-economic inequality.

The projects are small in scale but strategically placed, and include water plazas, elevated walkways, mangrove restoration, and improved access to drinking water. This approach integrates all the relevant aspects: design, nature, the social and environmental aspects, as well as the economic and financial ones. By placing local ownership at the heart of the process, the city is building a strong foundation for lasting, inclusive change. Read more about Cartagena.

Thủ Đức City

Thủ Đức City in Vietnam is a city in the making. Today it has just over one million inhabitants, but by 2050 it is expected to grow to around three million residents. Situated between the Saigon and Đồng Nai rivers, the new city is highly exposed to flooding. Extreme rainfall, high river levels, land subsidence and the interaction of these factors make water management a central challenge for its development.

With support from Partners for Water, a blue-green vision has been developed. It combines natural buffers, flood retention zones and smart urban design to better manage excess water. This vision has been translated into spatial plans and policy recommendations focused on working with water, alongside digital systems that support real-time water management. Without adaptation, annual flood-related losses are estimated at nearly USD 67 million and could more than double by the end of the century. By embedding Nature-based Solutions and digital water management systems into its spatial planning, Thủ Đức aims to grow into a resilient metropolis that can withstand both climate pressures and urban pressures. Read more about Thủ Đức City.

Chennai

Chennai is a fast-growing megacity in southern India. It faces a paradox of water extremes: severe flooding during the monsoon followed by extreme drought. Simultaneously, the city is steadily losing its capacity to retain water due to paved-over infrastructure, unregulated urbanisation and polluted waterways. Chennai’s traditional water bodies, known as ‘tanks’, once held around 188 million m³ of water. Urbanisation since the early 1900s has reduced this capacity by about 7%. The remaining 93% is located mostly outside the city and is increasingly threatened by encroachment, pollution and poor maintenance. To reverse this trend, the Water Resources Department aims to triple the city’s storage capacity by 2050.

The City of 1,000 Tanks project, supported by Partners for Water, supports this goal by drawing on the city’s ancient water infrastructure. The project restores these systems and links them to new NBS such as infiltration fields, retention ponds and other green infrastructure. By capturing, filtering and slowly recharging water locally, the project tackles both water scarcity and excess. The approach is modular, scalable and rooted in local collaboration with schools, businesses and communities. Chennai shows that climate adaptation is not only about innovation, but also about reviving and revaluing traditional knowledge. Read more about City of 1000 Tanks.

Beira

Mozambique’s port city of Beira is on the front line of climate change. In 2019, it was devastated by Cyclone Idai, which damaged around 70% of the city’s housing stock. Two years later, Cyclone Eloise in 2021 left another 20,000 homes – roughly 17% – damaged or destroyed. Together, the two storms caused over USD 2.4 billion in losses. But rather than focusing solely on recovery, Beira is pursuing structural transformation. Through the Masterplan 2035, developed with support from Partners for Water, the city is investing in climate-resilient urban development: from improved drainage and wastewater treatment to coastal protection and stronger local governance.

Through public and private partnerships, Beira is building climate-resilient homes with minimal construction costs or rent-to-buy schemes. This makes safe housing accessible to residents for whom home ownership would otherwise be entirely out of reach. Simultaneously, the city is updating its municipal cadastre to improve property registration and enable the collection of property taxes. This is a long-term strategy, focused on system change in order to become a truly climate-resilient city. Read more about Beira’s system change approach.

Seven building blocks for a climate-resilient city

1.        Systems thinking and integrated approaches

Climate adaptation only works when water, infrastructure, public health and governance are seen as part of an interconnected system. It must be addressed across all spatial scales, from the pavement to the metropolitan region.

2.        Making space for water

When cities actively allocate space for water through buffers, temporary retention zones and natural systems, rainfall becomes a manageable design element. It can even become a resource for future droughts.

3.        Flexibility and adaptive capacity

A resilient city is flexible and evolves as the climate and associated risks change. This requires future scenarios, room for experimental development, phased planning, and the ability to adjust course when needed.

4.        Monitoring and data analysis

Digital tools and modelling software can help detect risks early and support an effective response. Data collection and management form the foundation for improved policy and governance.

5.        Participation and local ownership

Solutions only have lasting impact when they are supported by the local community. Local engagement ensures context-specific solutions and fosters long-term ownership.

6.        Collaboration and governance

Coordination between governments, public and private organisations, knowledge institutions and residents are crucial for implementation and lasting impact.

7.        Working with nature

By cooperating with the natural processes of vegetation, rivers or mangroves rather than trying to control them, cities can develop sustainable and flexible solutions that support both climate adaptation and urban liveability.

Partners for Water for climate-resilient cities

When we view cities as interconnected systems and choose to work with nature rather than against it, we can build urban environments that are more resilient, greener, and more liveable than ever before.

Partners for Water supports cities around the world in building climate resilience through an integrated, systems-based approach. We promote the use of NBS and advise cities on innovative and sustainable water management. In doing so, we not only address water security, but also biodiversity, food security and healthy living environments.

Our support spans strategic guidance, from policy advice and planning to capacity-building within local governments. We also fund and facilitate pilot and feasibility studies that test scalable, sustainable and innovative water solutions.

Dutch start-up Reefy is making waves in coastal protection with its innovative ReefBlock technology, implementing Nature-based Solutions from Rotterdam to Mexico. The company launched a successful pilot in Rotterdam’s port area in 2023, and scaled up with support of the Partners for Water subsidy by bringing its ReefBlock technology to Mexico’s threatened coastline in 2024.

The ReefBlocks – large, Lego-like structures featuring complex tunnel systems – serve not only as a foundation for reef growth but also as a submerged breakwater to protect the coastline. Their expansion from Rotterdam to Mexico showcases how innovative Nature-based Solutions can be successfully adapted for international challenges.

This article was originally published on the Dutch Water Sector website.

Two years after installing an artificial reef using reef blocks in the Port of Rotterdam to reduce the impact of heavy waves and foster a rich underwater landscape, the project has proven that infrastructure development and nature restoration can go hand in hand.

The reef blocks have notably enhanced the Port of Rotterdam’s busiest shipping channel, giving rise to greater species diversity, cleaner water, and a stronger ecosystem. Monitoring shows that the reef offers shelter to a variety of marine species, increasing the biodiversity.

Modular reef design and installation

In 2023, a Dutch consortium comprising Rijkswaterstaat (Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management), the Municipality of Rotterdam, Boskalis, and Reefy installed the ‘Rotterdam Reef’, a modular reef structure consisting of 17 three metre long and six tonne concrete blocks featuring tunnels, shaded passages, and rough textures. The structure has created a dynamic ecosystem where fish, crabs, and shrimp can thrive, offering protection for both coastlines and marine life.

Collaboration across stakeholders

In addition, the rough surfaces of the reef blocks have encouraged shellfish and the growth of algae, leading to three times higher biodiversity compared to standard concrete structures. Petra de Groene, Director of Economy and Sustainability at the Municipality of Rotterdam, said that “Learning by doing helped us bridge the gap from lab testing to real-world application, where concrete and biodiversity work hand in hand.” Research involving environmental DNA (eDNA) has confirmed that the Port of Rotterdam’s main channel serves as a crossroads for freshwater, saltwater, and migratory fish species. The reef supports fish migration, promotes continuous water circulation and enhances water quality through natural filtration.

Resilient and Storm-Ready

In terms of technical performance, the reef blocks have proven to be resilient under extreme weather conditions. All 17 blocks remained stable during severe storms, including Storm Poly in July 2023.

Over the last two years, the project has demonstrated that the artificial reef reduces wave action and promotes sediment accumulation behind it, thus increasing coastal protection and preventing erosion. Reef blocks can also make coastlines more resilient to storms and floods and, say project partners, they are ready for broader application at a global scale.

Leon Haines, Co-founder and CTO of Reefy, explained that “This project proves that nature and infrastructure can truly strengthen each other. The reef blocks are a sustainable, scalable solution for water safety and ecological restoration. We are ready to scale the technology globally and are already working on projects ranging from rivers in the Netherlands to the tropical Caribbean in Mexico!”

Partnerships Across Sectors

The project’s success is credited to strong collaboration among partners. Reefy developed the modular technology, seamlessly merging coastal protection with ecosystem restoration. Boskalis managed the installation of the reef blocks, drawing on their expertise in hydraulic engineering and coastal defence. The Municipality of Rotterdam supported innovation and ecological monitoring, gathering valuable environmental data. Rijkswaterstaat championed the initiative for nature-inclusive infrastructure in the Port of Rotterdam.

The reef blocks project aligns with the goals of the European Water Framework Directive, which aims to improve habitats for aquatic plants and animals while enhancing overall water quality.

Bangladesh’s rapidly urbanising pourashavas (municipalities) face increasing challenges of water security, climate resilience and sustainable urban development. The Urban Demonstrators Initiative for Climate and Water Resilient Urban Infrastructure in Bangladesh (2nd Cycle), funded under the Partners for Water programme, aims to accelerate scalable, practical water solutions that enhance urban liveability, flood resilience and sustainable infrastructure.

This initiative is supported by a €500,000 subsidy under the Partners for Water programme running from January 2025 – December 2026.

Scaling smart, sustainable water solutions under the Partners for Water Bangladesh Delta programme.

Building on the success of Urban Demonstrators (UDs) in Raozan and Keshobpur, this new phase expands to 4-6 additional pourashavas, demonstrating how small-scale, Nature-based Solutions can be effectively implemented and scaled across Bangladesh’s 330 municipalities.

Context-Driven, scalable approach

• Fast-Tracked Implementation & Co-Creation: Rapid assessment and execution within six months, ensuring that pourashavas and communities play a central role in design, implementation and long-term management.
• Nature-based Solutions (NbS): Using locally available materials and workforce to create green, water-resilient urban spaces.
• Alternative Financing for Sustainability: Small grants act as catalysts for additional municipal and private investments.
• Strengthening Governance & Capacity: Equipping pourashavas and communities with the expertise and structures needed for long-term operation and maintenance (O&M).
• Peer Learning for Scaling: Enabling knowledge exchange between municipalities to accelerate widespread adoption of effective urban water management practices.

The approach empowers cities, their people, and environments to lead their own development through context-specific interventions, while a scalable model—based on rapid scoping and implementation within a year—encourages replication across Bangladesh, fostering citizen action for more liveable cities and building trust between communities and local governments.

Beyond individual interventions: a broader urban vision

By focusing on horizontal upscaling, this initiative goes beyond isolated projects. For example, a green space along an urban canal should not just be a one-time intervention but part of a broader effort to revitalise the entire canal system. Similarly, by engaging with municipal teams and communities, who ultimately maintain these spaces, this approach ensures long-term sustainability and helps prevent the Build-Neglect-Rebuild (BNR) cycle often seen in infrastructure projects.

Who is involved?

The project is funded under the Partners for Water programme and implemented by IHE Delft, in collaboration with:

• 4-6 Pourashavas – Municipal governments implementing solutions in their cities
• ACL – Leading engineering and consultancy firm in Bangladesh
• CEGIS – Experts in environmental and geospatial analysis for sustainable development
• C4RE – Citizen-centred urban design and technical partner

Impact & vision

The Urban Demonstrators Initiative contributes to Bangladesh’s Delta Plan 2100, strengthening the connection between on-the-ground action and national climate resilience goals. By integrating Nature-based Solutions, practical capacity building and innovative financing, this project offers a scalable model for sustainable urban development in Bangladesh.

🔗 Learn more

• Demonstrating smart solutions for resilient cities (un-ihe.org) (November 2021)
• Cities and towns key to Bangladesh’s sustainable development (un-ihe.org) (May 2022)
• Improving quality of life in Bangladeshi towns (un-ihe.org) (June 2022)
• Bangladesh: Small community grants with big, green effects in growing cities (un-ihe.org) (October 2024)
• Key features of Urban Demonstrators (PDF)
• Press release published in Dhaka Tribune  (wdpprepository.org)

The Welang River in East Java, Indonesia, is a vital resource for the nearby communities providing water for daily use and supporting local agriculture. However, as cities expand and populations grow, the river has faced increasing problems such as flooding, erosion and pollution. In response, the Governments of Indonesia and the Netherlands, through its Partners for Water programme have initiated the Welang River Basin Transformation Project to tackle these challenges and protect both the river and the people who depend on it.

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are increasingly recognized as an essential strategy to address water and erosion challenges in watersheds. These solutions harness natural resources to tackle various water and soil issues. In areas where traditional infrastructure may be expensive, NbS offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative that is easily replicable by local governments and communities.

In the upstream area of Welang Watershed, East Java, Indonesia, the NbS approach was applied through co-construction with the local community by employing a 3R methodology (retention, recharge, and reuse of water) through creation of simple gully plugs. These structures made from locally available materials like bamboo, stones and branches, serve to collect and temporarily store water during high rainfall flows, retain sediments and materials washed into the channel, and slow down small, concentrated flows.

Utilizing natural materials available in the area as gully plugs (left: bamboo, right: stone)

1. In Surorowo, the upstream area of Welang on the side of Mount Bromo, the project marked the communities’ first experience participating in an international project. Village officials played an important role in encouraging broad community participation. Two Focus Group Discussions involving various stakeholders were held to explain the value of the project and the interventions, to build trust and gain commitment of the community. Over two months of activities, at least 28 different gully plugs and gabions were installed on community land and initiated directly by the community.
2. The project location in Wonosari, the upstream area of Welang on the side of Mount Arjuno, is directly managed by the Wonosari Tea Plantation, making it easier to mobilize and cooperate with the workers. In just 12 working days, a total of 145 simple gully plugs made of stones, tree branches, and bamboo of various sizes were constructed.

Stakeholders involvement in demonstration activities

Institutional support
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on sustainable water resources management in East Java was signed between the East Java Provincial Natural Resources and Public Works Agency (PUSDA), the government implementing agency of the project, and Perhutani, a state-owned enterprise managing the implementation site. This ensured stakeholder alignment and paved the way for replicating NbS across the province.

Monitoring and evaluation
Once implemented, effective monitoring becomes essential for tracking the progress of the installed structures and demonstrating their effectiveness. Field observations conducted by the State University of Malang assess the condition of the gully plug installations, their impact on sediment capture, erosion control, and soil stability. These insights help identify the most effective structure types, ensuring informed recommendations for future implementations.

The monitoring showed that series of gully plugs made sequentially following the channel from upstream to downstream are effective in retaining heavy water discharge and capturing sediment. On average, a 10-20 cm thick layer of sediment was found behind the installed gully plug structures, with the greatest accumulation of sediment occurring behind gully plugs with bamboo barricades filled with soil or grass and dense shrubs.
The other type of gully plug made of branches, was observed to have grown densely, providing a natural barrier to the heavy water discharge and sediment flowing along the channel.

Recommendation for replication
For replication, bamboo gully plugs and branch-made gully plugs are identified as the most effective, affordable, and easy-to-implement structures. These options are chosen based on their proven ability to capture sediment, ease of installation, support for vegetation growth, and the accessibility of materials, making them suitable for small-scale community implementation across diverse land uses.
On the other hand, gully plugs made from stone or even gabions tend to be more difficult for communities to implement without assistance from the government or third parties in procuring materials, but are structurally more robust and durable.

Miniseries on the Welang River Basin project

This is the second article in the miniseries on the Welang River Basin project, highlighting the role of youth in sustainable waste management. Below you can find the links to other articles in the series:

Article 1: The role of trusted advisors
Article 2: Practical implementation of Nature-Based Solutions
Article 3: Empowering youth for sustainable waste mangement
Article 4: A participatory design approach

From 21 October to 1 November, representatives from 196 countries gathered in Cali, Colombia for COP16 on Biological Diversity. Together, they discussed progress and the protection of global biodiversity.

The Netherlands made an active contribution with its own pavilion, hosted by Partners for Water, where new insights, lessons and collaborations emerged on biodiversity, water, food, landscape-based approaches and greening finance. Keep reading to discover the key insights from two weeks of dynamic discussions.

Insights from the Netherlands Pavilion at COP16

The Netherlands Pavilion emerged as a dynamic hub where greening finance, the water-biodiversity-food nexus, and landscape-based solutions for bio-cultural diversity seamlessly came together. Throughout the week, engaging discussions and workshops generated fresh insights and fostered valuable collaborations. A significant milestone was reached when the WWF and the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding, pledging to promote Nature-based Solutions (NBS) across Europe to tackle both climate change and biodiversity loss.

The Netherlands Water Envoy Meike van Ginneken visited the Netherlands Pavilion and highlighted the importance of bridging the gaps between different practitioners in the water, biodiversity and food sectors. A key insight? True capacity building happens when we openly discuss challenges, share practical lessons learned, and collaborate on solutions. When we move beyond presentation mode to problem-solving mode, we create lasting impact. “Landscape binds people, binds knowledge, binds nature.” – the Netherlands Water Envoy Meike van Ginneken

The Netherlands Pavilion welcomed UN Youth Representatives on Biodiversity, who shared their insights on their work at COP. Find out what they have to say in the video below.

COP16’s key insights on biodiversity, water, food and more

Finance and biodiversity
At COP16’s Netherlands Pavilion, the message was clear: If we want to see real change, we need to think beyond traditional funding models. While public funding alone can’t solve biodiversity challenges, blending public and private investments opens new possibilities for nature. For instance, government and philanthropic support can help reduce risks for private investors, though new financial structures are still evolving. “Public funding alone is insufficient to tackle the biodiversity challenge. Blended finance is key to unlocking private investment for nature.” – Caroline Van Leenders, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)

Value chains and biodiversity
The dialogue on value chains at COP16 challenged conventional thinking. Rather than hard contracts, experts advocated for soft approaches. A communal vision emerged to push towards localised food systems. Rather than maintaining the status quo of global supply chains, the focus should shift to celebrating and protecting local diversity while sharing risks across the entire value chains.

Biodiversity assessment tools
ASN Bank’s portfolio analysis revealed unexpected insights about groundwater impact, highlighting a crucial lesson: assessment tools can uncover hidden environmental impacts, encouraging organisations to begin measuring their biodiversity footprint. A key message that emerged: starting with available information is better than waiting for complete datasets. “Don’t wait for perfect data to measure biodiversity impact. Even with limited data, you can start assessing with what you have.” – Lucian Peppelenbos, Robeco

Localised landscape restoration
“Return on Inspiration (ROI) is where landscape restoration begins,” noted Willem Ferwerda from Commonland, reflecting the belief that local communities must believe in a better future to make restoration succeed. He emphasised that true change requires a 20-year commitment. A key insight? An area-based approach is essential; let nature define the project’s scale while ensuring long-term stakeholder engagement. “If you truly want to regenerate landscapes, focus on the most degraded areas rather than those that are easy to showcase success with.” – Daan Groot, Nature Squared

Indigenous knowledge, water and biodiversity
Ancient wisdom offers modern solutions, as demonstrated by the Zenu case study where historical canal systems combat flooding while supporting agriculture and aquaculture. These discussions at COP16 highlighted how traditional practices can effectively restore biodiversity and water systems, and repeatedly highlighted the power of collective thinking over individual approaches. Indigenous voices are crucial guides in our journey towards better biodiversity management; their perspective isn’t just valuable – it’s essential for creating lasting change.

Liliane Geerling from Partners for Water discussed incorporating Indigenous knowledge into landscape-based approaches with various experts present at COP16. Watch the video below to learn more.

“Like salsa dancing in Cali – the world’s salsa capital –, COP16 was all about making meaningful connections!” – Martine van Weelden, Capitals Coalition

Moving forward with nature

COP16 demonstrated that protecting biodiversity requires long-term commitment, collective thinking, and innovative funding models. As shown at the Netherlands Pavilion, success lies in bridging sectors, incorporating indigenous knowledge and turning discussions into action. “The way forward is not through war but through working with the other party,” emphasized Colombia’s Minister of Environment Susana Muhamad. So let’s start working together with nature to create a water, food and biodiversity-secure future.

Watch the recap video for a glimpse of the vibrant atmosphere.

In the heart of the coffee-growing region of Magdalena, the Netherlands and Colombia are combining forces to improve water efficiency and biodiversity conservation. This week, representatives from 196 countries including scientists, indigenous communities, business representatives and environment ministers are gathering in Cali, Colombia at the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) for the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP). Agreements on progress and protection of biodiversity will be discussed extensively until 1 November.

Amid the many discussions, the collaborative partnership between the Netherlands and Colombia reflects a committed effort to promote biodiversity conservation, particularly in the coffee sector. One notable project, “Improving Water Efficiency in the Coffee Sector in the Magdalena Region” is funded by the Dutch government’s Partners for Water (PFW) programme and coordinated by AidEnvironment, a non-profit consultancy specialising in sustainable development and environmental conservation. AidEnvironment works in close partnership with the local Fundación Herencia Ambiental Caribe and Deltares, a Dutch research institute focused on water management, environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

The project

The “Improving Water Efficiency in the Coffee Sector in the Magdalena Region” project is implemented in Colombia’s key coffee-growing regions in the watersheds of the Aracataca. This is the birthplace of the famous writer and Nobel prize winner Gabriel García Márquez and is located in the Magdalena department by the Fundación rivers in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM) mountain range. The region covers 18,000 hectares of coffee farms comprising of over 5,000 small-scale farmers. The project aims to find a balance between the economic importance of coffee production and the need to preserve ecosystems downstream, including the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta (CGSM), a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Since 1981, annual rainfall has steadily declined, resulting in water scarcity that poses a significant threat to both coffee farming and the biodiversity of the CGSM wetlands, which depend on reliable upstream water flows. The region’s traditional wet-processing methods pollute the water and place additional stress on both surface and groundwater resources.

Smallholder coffee farmers, who are vital to the local economy, are especially susceptible to these environmental shifts. Their limited financial resources further hinder their ability to adapt, making it more urgent to find affordable, locally tailored solutions. Keje Nagel, Coordinator of AidEnvironment, conducted extensive field research in various countries to understand the conditions and challenges that coffee farmers face, particularly around economic hardships and environmental degradation caused by coffee production. “It is essential,” he says in a video call from Colombia, “to create more circular agricultural systems that reduce environmental harm.”

The challenges

To tackle the challenges, Nagel explains that a two-phased approach will be implemented that actively engages coffee producers. In the first phase, “we will collaborate closely with local farmers to thoroughly understand their realities, challenges and the socio-cultural contexts. This will enable us to identify innovative water-saving and decontamination technologies specifically tailored to their needs and financial capabilities. Green filters for water purification will be explored, as well as other methods for reducing agrochemical use and innovative post-harvesting techniques for water-scarce conditions.

In the second phase, these technologies will be deployed on a pilot farm “to ensure they are both technically effective and culturally relevant”. Each farm will be treated as a micro-watershed, emphasising water retention, minimising runoff and enhancing soil health. By actively involving farmers in the implementation process and offering training in sustainable practices, the idea is to reduce dependencies on chemical inputs and optimise overall water management. A comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework will track key indicators, including water availability, soil moisture and biodiversity health, allowing the long-term impact of these interventions to be assessed.

Reducing water consumption and nutrient runoff

Coffee is one of the key crops for soil conservation. However, coffee processing poses a risk of nutrient leakage, which can cause contamination when nutrient levels reach unnaturally high concentrations and end up in local rivers, contributing to water pollution. This occurs when nutrient-rich pulp and wastewater, used in washing the coffee cherries, are discharged into nearby rivers or streams. While this process may appear small, it leads to harmful nutrient peaks as piles of pulp partly end up in the water through rainfall. Nagel adds: “When these piles are left uncovered there is a significant risk of nutrient leakage which can cause serious damage to aquatic biodiversity. Fish and other species may struggle to survive in these altered environments.”

Maintaining nutrient flows and minimising external inputs such as fertilizers, is becoming increasingly expensive and unsustainable, especially in economically disadvantaged regions. “The ideal model for coffee farming,” says Nagel, “balances economic stability for farmers with environmentally sustainable practices, involving long-term contracts and regenerative agricultural techniques that support biodiversity and prevent resource depletion.”

Their findings show that the primary issue in coffee production, is exactly that: the economic disparity in the value chain, where producers receive a very small portion of the generated value (around 10%). This financial instability makes it difficult for farmers to get around and they often have other priorities than complying with environmental issues such as biodiversity loss, water pollution and soil degradation.

Pilot farms

Currently the National Coffee Federation (FNC) is implementing various technologies aimed at reducing water use and contamination. They are promoting two different filters that filter water wastewater with plants such as vetiver grass to remove excess nutrients from coffee processing. The other option is the use of Eco mills, innovative coffee processing machines that drastically reduce water usage. “The Eco mill processes coffee from cherry to parchment without impacting the overall production system”, Nagel adds.

However, these technologies are expensive, ranging from €2,500 and €5,000, making them inaccessible for many smallholder farmers. Moreover, green filter technology currently lacks a component that ensures the re-use of the collected nutrients. The project, therefore, is still in its development phase aiming to find scalable, affordable solutions tailored to different farm sizes and local contexts, with closed nutrient cycles. Farmers are encouraged to implement various agroforestry techniques before they become eligible for subsidies. By doing this, greater awareness among farmers can lead to their active contribution to sustainable practices.

Local institutions like CENICAFÉ, the research arm of the National Coffee Federation (Federación Nacional de Cafetéros de Colombia) is essential in ensuring not only the best technology, but also its adaptability and scalability within the region.

Rather than inventing new technologies these existing technologies built on previous research, are taken as departure points ensuring that any potential additions proposed can be easily adopted by the FNC, who are closely connected to the local context.

The road ahead

Over the next six months, the team will develop a technological design for a farm and work closely with local partners to ensure that the systems are effective and sustainable. This will be followed by a nine-month implementation phase. As with any project of this scale, however, patience and persistence are required. Cultural change in farming communities takes time and the team recognises that building trust and demonstrating success will be essential for long-term adaptation.

Looking for ways to get involved?

Are you currently working on water projects in Colombia or exploring how to do so? Or just curious about participating in the Partners for Water initiatives? Here are ways for you to get involved:

• Apply for our tenders focused on innovative solutions in delta countries like Colombia.
• Join our annual Colombia platform meeting or one of the other Partners for Water events.
• Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on our tenders, activities, events and projects.
• Apply for the Partners for Water subsidy. Explore whether you are eligible.
• Get in touch with our Project Advisor for Colombia: Robert Proos

Water, climate, and biodiversity are the foundations of life on Earth. Despite their vital functions, these elements face severe pressures, threatening food, health, safety and economies. To address this, Partners for Water and the IUCN hosted “Shaping a Biodiversity-Proof Future” on 1 October 2024 at Omniversum Museon, in The Hague. This event united the international water, food and nature sectors to develop actionable solutions. Explore the next steps for a biodiversity proof future below.

“Biodiversity and ecosystem services form a strong foundation that underpins all the sectors present today. It’s not a ‘nice to have’; it’s at the core,” explained Heleen van den Hombergh from the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Together with co-organizer Liliane Geerling from Partners for Water and moderator Caroline van Leenders from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, she opened the Biodiversity event. Amid the museum’s captivating photos of wild cats, eagles and rhinos, 90 dedicated water, food and biodiversity professionals listened attentively as van Leenders explained that the event is designed not just to inspire but to catalyse action to integrate biodiversity in their work and mainstream it internationally.

Working towards a biodiversity proof future

The majority of the day was dedicated to collaborative workshops in small groups. Participants discussed challenges, identified action points, and equipped each other with the new insights needed to work towards a biodiversity-proof future. Geerling added, “The insights resulting from today’s discussions we will bring to the Sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16) in Cali, Colombia this October.”

Five themes that impact biodiversity were explored during the day: regenerative agriculture, water related infrastructure, greening finance, transformative change, and biocultural landscapes, including ancestral knowledge in landscape-based approaches. The main takeaways are presented below.

Main takeaways for mainstreaming biodiversity

An overarching insight from the sessions was the interconnectedness of biodiversity and climate change. Destroying and degrading ecosystems releases more CO2 emissions than burning fossil fuels. Conversely, the consequences of burning fossil fuels—such as rising global temperatures, increased wildfires, and ocean acidification—threaten habitats and wildlife.

Each session resulted in various outcomes, with two insights recurring across all sessions:

• Collective action: A biodiversity-friendly future requires unified efforts from all stakeholders, including businesses, NGOs, knowledge institutions and governments.
• Localized approach: Working with local people and partners is crucial. Incorporating not only their needs but also their knowledge is essential for achieving positive biodiversity impact.

These recurring outcomes underscore the complexity of biodiversity challenges and the need for integrated, collaborative solutions. To learn more about these subject-specific insights, please continue reading below.

Regenerative agriculture and biodiversity

A sustainable food system should provide sufficient, affordable, and healthy food for everyone, fairly produced and within the Earth’s ecological limits. The current system is far from achieving this goal, but regenerative agriculture can play a crucial role in making food systems more sustainable.

During this session, a collective brainstorm was held. It resulted in acknowledging various challenges and identifying many potential solutions to address these challenges which you can find in illustration 1.

“How we produce our food is probably one of the biggest challenges of the decade and will determine the biodiversity status for the future.” – Marieke Harteveld, Lead agri-food transition at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency

Additionally, useful practices for implementing regenerative agroforestry in a landscape setting were discussed.

Takeaways

• Agroforestry practices, such as implementing edible hedges, can benefit both nature and farmers by addressing soil erosion, water scarcity, reduced biodiversity, climate change and economic vulnerability.
• Understanding community needs and adopting a bottom-up approach is crucial for the successful implementation and adoption of agroforestry practices.
• Patience and long-term thinking are required, as income and returns from agroforestry may come later. De-risking smallholder investments through conservation agreements, collateral, and spreading risk across farmers can help attract investment partners.

Water infrastructure, climate resilience & biodiversity

People often claim that biodiversity is too complex to integrate into water-related infrastructures, like dikes, dams, sluices, and storm-surge barriers, but, ensure that biodiversity is prioritized from the starting point and monitored at the start as well as after implementation, it is achievable. This session encouraged participants to exchange ideas on how to integrate biodiversity into infrastructure projects and explored the key challenges and innovations when monitoring biodiversity in these types of infrastructures.

Takeaways

• Both time constraints and climate change must be considered when planning for water related infrastructures. Infrastructure projects often have short timelines, while restoring or preferably enhancing biodiversity requires long-term thinking.
• Data-driven design is crucial for monitoring biodiversity and creating biodiverse oceans and climate-resilient coastlines and infrastructure, and incorporating data from indigenous communities and historical environmental information should be standard practice.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration is necessary to create and maintain impactful, climate resilient water related infrastructures, with an emphasis on including ecologists in decision-making processes.

Greening finance & biodiversity

Ecosystem services are becoming increasingly relevant in the investment world. Of the three types—regulating, provisioning, and cultural ecosystem services —provisioning services are often assigned a higher monetary value, while regulating services are often undervalued despite their importance to human wellbeing. This session explored how recognizing the true value of ecosystem services leads to better investment decisions, what financing nature-positive initiatives means, and why it is needed.

“It is not just about funding restoration projects; we need to fundamentally change business and finance.” –  Nicolas Poolen, Green Finance Adviser, WWF

Takeaways

• Provisioning ecosystem services are often easier to invest in than regulating ecosystem services due to their direct market value, but if we want to conserve nature, we need to recognize the true value of regulating ecosystem services.
• Nature’s value appreciates over decades and the localized nature of ecosystem services necessitates targeted investment strategies at the landscape level. That’s why investment strategies for nature require alignment with ecological timescales and local contexts.
• There is a shortage of transition plans rather than a shortage of capital for nature positive investments. This presents a clear opportunity to integrate nature into strategies, aiming to deliver both net zero and nature-positive outcomes for the corporate and financial sectors.

Did you know that the Ecosystem Services Valuation Database (ESVD) can be used as a tool for valuing ecosystem services? Discover more about ESVD.

Transformative change and biodiversity

Our food systems undeniably require change, but how can we ensure this change is transformative? This session encouraged participants to explore both general and specific transformative practices in food value chains, alongside strategies for overcoming barriers. The key insights from this discussion provided substantial food for thought and action.

Takeaways

• An important aspect for transformative change is to understand that worldviews and knowledge systems underpin what we value in nature and biodiversity and that there are multiple value perspectives, like nature for nature, nature as culture, and nature for society.
• There should be a fundamental shift in value chain strategy: competition should no longer be solely based on price, quality and availability, but should also incorporate water usage and biodiversity considerations.
• Transition management is complex due to the number of stakeholders involved and their potentially conflicting interests. Every stakeholder group, from government, businesses and NGOs to financial institutions, has a role in the transition process, emphasizing the importance of coordination and timing.

Indigenous knowledge & biocultural landscapes

Did everything used to be better? We all know that’s not always true. However, many ancient practices that we’ve set aside did a better job of respecting nature and biodiversity. A wealth of this knowledge, both ancient and contemporary, is still preserved and practiced by indigenous cultures all around the world. This session on biocultural landscapes discussed how we can incorporate this wisdom, focusing on ancestral knowledge and landscape-based approaches for sustainable development.

Takeaways:

• Reviving biocultural landscapes requires considering the inherent logic of the landscape as a foundation and landscape values.  This includes leveraging ethnobotanical knowledge and ecological wisdom and practices from local indigenous cultures.
• Landscape-based approaches are context-specific; scaling up requires being alert to opportunities and cultivating local partnerships.
• Although funding is often siloed, landscape-based approaches demand a holistic perspective, emphasizing co-creation and regeneration.

Nature will bounce back

It is clear that biodiversity extends far beyond environmental benefits and ecosystem health. It forms the foundation of our lives and the resources we depend on. Addressing its decline is of the essence. Wouter Ubbink, former UN Youth Representative on Biodiversity and Food, ended the day with a pledge that left participants with food for thought.

“Water and nature should not be tamed but should be given space instead. Space is where the battle for nature will be fought,” said Ubbink compellingly. In his view, green growth is a myth. So, we need to halt over-exploitation, overproduction and overconsumption. Nature should be embraced and harnessed, not controlled and oppressed. Ubbink: “If we leave it alone nature will bounce back.”

Uniting for biodiversity: a call for collective action

This event marks just one step towards a more sustainable and resilient future for both humanity and nature. The insights from these workshops will be carried forward, as we will bring them to the Biodiversity COP16 in Cali, Colombia in October and continue today’s efforts during sessions hosted at the Netherlands pavilion. You can find more details in our full programme here.

Building on this momentum, our new podcast series, Waterproof, will launch on 21 November. It will explore biodiversity and other crucial water themes, including salinisation, the Build-Neglect-Rebuild cycle, locally led development, greening finance and Water-Biodiversity-Food. The series kicks off with one of the crucial elements in creating positive biodiversity impact: Nature-based Solutions. Click here to stay tuned and be notified when the series launches.

Partners for Water and IUCN urge participants and other water professionals to start mainstreaming biodiversity in all their processes and projects and to work together towards a world where biodiversity thrives.