Where we stand in GWP-Med: a look back, a look forth

Vangelis Constantianos, Executive Secretary, GWP-Med

GWP Communications Workshop: Communicating Impact 3-7 December 2012, Athens

GWP-Med as part of

GWP

OUR VISION: A water secure world

Enough water for all – Social Equity, Economic Efficiency, Ecosystems

Security from droughts, floods, landslides, disease The negative aspects of water

Improved quality of life for the most vulnerable Especially women and children

An integrated approach Holistic, and multi-stakeholder processes

Tack! OUR MISSION: To support the sustainable development and management of water resources at all levels

Strategic approach: networked, connected, coordinated Principles and values (from Rio-Dublin) Meaningful dialogue –a neutral stance Solidarity and commitment to the poor and disadvantaged

13 Regional Water Partnerships 74 Country Water Partnerships 2,359 Partners in 157 countries

A growing international network since 1996

Which is our distinctive niche ?

• Advocacy

• Assistance to policy making

• Convening power through multi-stakeholders

engagement

• Technical expertise

• Knowledge sharing

• Capacity building

Our Regional specificities

- Economic crisis has hit hard many of the EU Med countries

- 90% of the total region’s GNP is in 5 countries in the North

- The population has doubled in 40 years (450 mil today)

- Unemployment is rising - Cities are growing fast; Coasts are under pressure

Water in the Mediterranean: some key facts

Water Supply is Unequally Distributed in Space and Time

Water in the Mediterranean: some key facts

Aggravated by Climate Variability & Change

Wintertime droughts are increasingly common in the Mediterranean region, and human-caused climate change is partly responsible. In the last 20 years, 10 of the driest 12 winters have taken place in the lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Source: NOAA, 2011

Reds and oranges highlight lands around the Mediterranean that experienced significantly drier winters during 1971-2010 than the comparison period of 1902-2010. Source: NOAA, 2011

- 7% (28 mil persons) are below 500 m3/year/capita - 29% (115 mil persons) are below 1000 m3/year/capita

- Renewable water resources withdrawals: among highest in the world

- Serious water pollution of surface and groundwater

- Agriculture consumes 70-85 %

- Per cap. consumption in some countries: among lowest in the world

- Cost of degradation due to water pollution is high (0.6-1.2% of GDP). Along the coastline is even higher (from 7-8% of GDP in Algeria and Egypt to 2-4% in Morocco and Tunisia)

Water in the Mediterranean: some key facts

Key MED water, environment, and sustainable development processes: Enough, but how much coordinated?

What is the policy environment under which we operate?

What ? for GWP-Med:

The Themes & Activities

Our Strategy 2009-2013

1. Promote water as a key part of sustainable national development [operational] 2. Address critical development challenges [advocacy] 3. Reinforce knowledge sharing and communication [knowledge] 4. Build a more effective network [partnering]

A diversity in GWP-Med activities (2002-2012)

- Effective Water Governance

- Water and Climate Change

- Education (MEDIES) and Awareness

- Capacity Building

- Transboundary Water Resources Management

- Water, Food & Environment - Wetlands

- Water Demand Management

- National IWRM Planning

- Parliamentarians and IWRM (COMPSUD) - Journalists / Media and IWRM (COMJESD)

- Groundwater Resources Management

- Private Sector Participation - ICZM / IWRM

GWP-Med is serving key policy and technical processes, eg:

- Technical Facilitator of the Petersberg Phase II / Athens Declaration Process on TWRM in SEE (supported by Germany, Greece, WB and GEF/IW:LEARN) – 2003-ongoing

- Leader of the IWRM Component UN GEF Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean – 2009 to 2014

- Secretariat of the Mediterranean Component of the EU Water Initiative (led by Greece and the European Commission) – 2003-ongoing

- Technical Director of SWIM Project supported by the EC (with LDK, ACWUA, RAED, DHV, Greece, Tunisia and Austria) 2011-2014

- Activity Leader of DIKTAS Project supported by GEF (with UNESCO and other partners) 2011-2013

- Secretariat of the in the Drin Core Group promoting cooperation in the extended Drin River Basin 2009 and on-going

GWP-Med’s flagship processes and programmes in 2013-2016 with secured funding

Ongoing: SWIM-SM (2014), GEF MedPartnership (2014)

- Water and Climate Change

- Transboundary Water Resources Management

Ongoing: Coca Cola System (2014)

Ongoing: IW:LEARN (2014), Drin Secretariat (open) Upcoming: Drin/GEF (2016), Medjerda

- Governance, including National IWRM Planning., and ICZM/IWRM

- Non-Conventional Water Resources Management

- Water Financing / Private Sector Participation

Ongoing: WACDEP (2016), GEF Climate Variability (2014)

Upcoming: UfM-labeled project (2016)

Who ? for GWP-Med

The People

GWP-Med Organisational Structure

Partnership Council

Finance, Communication,

Networking, & Administration

(3 staff >> 4 staff)

Athens

Executive Secretary

Programmes, Initiatives &

Services

(9 staff >> 10 staff) Athens, Beirut and Tunis

GWPO

Membership (around 80 organisations,

including 9 regional networks of water stakeholders)

Chair

An innovative approach in the GWP-Med Secretariat HR

The number of GWP-Med staff is now 12 Head Office in Athens: 10 staff (Executive Secretary, 2 Senior Programme Officers, 2 Programme Officers, 2 Programme Assistants, 1 Financial Officer, 1 Com/Admin Officer and 1 Financial Assistant). 1 more Com/Admin Officer would be recruited early in 2013. ‘Antenna’ Programme Officers: - Since 2008, 1 Programme Officer based in Beirut -Since 2009 1 Programme Officer based in Tunis. 1 more Programme Officer will be recruited by end 2012. - Have responsibility for the individual countries where GWP-Med has/develops advanced agenda as well as sub-regional & regional responsibilities (depending on their expertise and work agenda).

Hopefully Not the GWP-Med Case !

The system of ‘Antenna’ Programme Officers: - needs advanced coordination which is facilitated through flow of information, frequent communication (skype helps a lot), visits / longer stay (to/from Athens, Beirut, Tunis), etc. - secures more intensive presence and increases profile, provides fundraising opportunities, assists intelligence, expands the network of partners & collaborators It needs time to develop more and produce further results. Up to now, satisfactory with several areas for improvement. Support and enlargement is within our strategic planning.

An innovative approach in the GWP-Med Secretariat HR

How ? for GWP-Med

The finances

GWP-Med Main Supporters in 2010-11

- Global Environment Facility (different projects) - European Commission - UNESCO - Greek Ministry for Environment - Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Hellenic Aid - German Ministry for the Environment - Spanish Ministry of Environment - Italian Cooperation - Lebanese Ministry of Energy and Water - Albanian Ministry for Environment - UNECE / Swedish Environmental Protection Agency - Coca Cola Foundation, Coca Cola Hellenic - Global Water Partnership Organisation (range of donors)

,0

500,000

1000,000

1500,000

2000,000

2500,000

3000,000

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2010 2011

US

D

YEAR

GWP-MED FUNDS EVOLUTION 2001-2011

CORE GWP-FUNDING

RAISED IN THE REGION

RAISED IN THE REGION -NOT BUDGETED-IN KIND

TOTAL

In 2012, GWP-Med submitted 6 project proposals. with a total budget of around 10 mil Euro

(5 mil under GWP-Med management, and 5 mil under other organisations management)

Approved, and expected to be approved, within 2012: around 5 mil Euro, primarily by GEF, SIDA, Coca Cola

(3 mil under GWP-Med management, and 2 mil under others management)

Competition for financial resources is high.

The Mediterranean has many well established players who are active in the same field as GWP-Med.

The international financial crisis makes conditions more difficult.

Even when we don’t succeed in a project proposal,

we build your capacity for the next opportunity.

Fundraising efforts in 2012

Some considerations on regional fund-raising Established and close working relations with the wider UN system in the region: GEF, IW:LEARN and UNESCO are among the steady donors of GWP-Med, representing a substantial amount of our annual funding (around 30-40%). Important: through such UN and EU multi-year projects, GWP-Med has secured at least 50% of the targeted funding for the period 2013-2016. Collaboration with donor and beneficiary countries. The ‘antenna’ Programme Officers advance fundraising opportunities. Private sector: a developing agenda. Collaboration with the Coca Cola System on Non-Conventional succeded a total of around 3 mil in 4 years Important: GWP project proposals jointly prepared by the GWP Regions eg. WACDEP - a big success Critical: receiving the GWP Core Budget contribution to the Region! GWP-Med is working at a ratio of 1:4 or 1:5 (Core : Region)

Conclusion:

Optimistic attitude, strategic thinking, & realistic action

in a continuously

challenging environment