Regions:
Fergana, Syrdarya, Samarkand, Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya and Khorezm

Beneficiaries:
Basin Irrigation System Authorities (BISA), Irrigation System Authorities (ISA), Water Users Associations (WUA), Farmer Associations, Communities;

Context:

The project is designed to strengthen technical capacities of water management organisations at basin, water user associations and farm levels, and institutions responsible for providing trainings. It contributes to the achievement of goals of the Action Strategy for further Development of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021, which promotes the introduction of intensive methods to agricultural production, primarily modern water and resource-saving agriculture technologies. It also contributes to the achievement of Goal 6 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to ensure sustainable water management and sanitation for all. This can be done by promoting integrated water resources management at all levels and supporting the participation of local communities in improving effective water management.

Project Objectives:
• To contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth in the rural sector in Uzbekistan in the context of a changing climate.
• To improve the water supply and the efficiency of water resource management at national, basin and farm levels.

Expected results:
• The material and technical base of 1 Basin Irrigation System Authority (BISA), 1 Irrigation System Authority (ISA) and 7 Water Users Associations (WUA) is enhanced through equipping them with transport means (7 moto-transports and 35 bicycles) and with portable water measuring devices; their office premises are renovated
and equipped with new furniture and office equipment; 9 canals belonging to 7 WUAs and 2 ISAs are reconstructed and water gates are renovated.

• 2,500 water specialists obtained new knowledge and improved their practical skills in water management, hydrometry and metrology, large structures and water reservoirs, irrigation and melioration, water pumping and energy saving that will ensure effective and sustainable water management.

Implementation Process
1. Enhancing capacities of national institutions in charge of training provision and their technical capacities. This result will be achieved upon conducting baseline assessment of existing and past training modules and tools as well as human and technical capacity and needs assessment of these institutions.

2. Strengthened organisational set-up of the water management players and improved advisory mechanisms for improved water supply services through strengthening material-technical capacity of BISAs, ISAs, local authorities, and WUAs/ farmers on water management efficiency and rational use of water. It is expected to establish advisory/extension service centres at BISA, ISA and WUA levels aimed at the demonstration of quality improvement of water services.

3. Development and implementation of a unified model and approach for capacity building of water management
organisations. Within this activity, the training modules will be developed to be used during the workshops for water
management authorities and water users. As a result, a unified/systemised programme will be developed for capacity building of water management players.

4. Enhanced links and networking with EU institutions and practitioners. In the frame of this activity, a scholarship
programme for students and young scientists as well as study tours for trainers and practitioners will be organised with the purpose of learning best European practices in the field of water resource management.

5. The baseline assessment of communities (economic, social and environmental dimensions) will be conducted in order todevelop community development plans as well as the guidelines for community development planning will be prepared. Trainings and workshops for communities and local authorities on better water planning, water use, and water saving techniques will be also conducted. This will allow for sustainable water supply in households and family farms.