Engaging Partners
Although the form and focus of every WIP will be different, all WIPs require partnerships to meet their objectives. Water security issues are multi-dimensional and, therefore, affect and engage multiple stakeholders. Building strong partnerships through targeted stakeholder engagement, both to deliver your WIP, and to enable your WIP to thrive in its institutional environment, is a critical element in each phase.
Possible Relevant Partners for Your WIP
Local, regional, and national public sector institutions and parastatals including local government, water regulators, environmental authorities, basin authorities, and water utilities. These parties are likely to have substantial influence within the WIP’s local service area.
National government, usually to inform regulation and as a counterparty for sovereign loans.
Private sector water users including corporates and industrial users that are usually downstream beneficiaries and may be motivated to provide WIP funding.
Indigenous people and local communities which are typically involved as upstream actors and are essential to WIP success and social acceptance. These parties should be involved in project inception, ideation, and decision-making as they often host and implement the NbS interventions, provide valuable perspectives to inform thoughtful portfolio development, and participate in localized WIP benefits. See Special Topics page on Community Engagement.
Agricultural associations such as irrigation boards and farming co-ops that alternately may act as a WIP investor/beneficiary or as an upstream actor to help drive WP implementation.
Non-governmental organizations and Development Finance Institutions seeking economic, social, or environmental development outcomes; these groups often act as WIP Sponsors.
Technical experts that help inform the various activities required for WIP rollout.
Donors in the form of public sector international cooperation or private philanthropy seeking to achieve development outcomes.
Given the complex interdependencies within watersheds, WIPs require multi-pronged stakeholder engagement and concerted communication. Figure 1 outlines key stakeholder engagement milestones by phase.
Figure 1. Stakeholder engagement by phase
Sponsors and Champions
Every WIP will look different, however WIPs typically require a Sponsor and one or more Champions.
Sponsor. The institution that kicks-off the WIP development process and is the principal leading force for organizing resources and stakeholder engagement through the end of Design Phase. The Sponsor is often an existing local counterparty with significant watershed influence (e.g., water utility, local government, basin authority or NGO). This party may or may not continue to lead the WIP during Execution Phase.
Champion. A local individual, often representing an institution, with significant pre-existing knowledge of local watershed management and is motivated to advocate for the WIP and its cause. They are a driving force, cheerleader, and spokesperson for the WIP; moreover, they typically have political and institutional gravitas that enable them to be an effective advocate. If there is a WIP Steering Committee, Champions typically sit on such structures and may even chair them.
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