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A Regional Model for Integrated Water Management in Twinned River Basins

Final Report Summary - RIVERTWIN (A Regional Model for Integrated Water Management in Twinned River Basins)

The RIVERTWIN project aimed to develop, refine and evaluate a framework for strategic planning of water resources' management at river basin scale under contrasting ecological, social and economic conditions. As a result, complex integrated model schemes were transferred from European basins to catchments in Africa and Central Asia.

The project implemented a holistic approach, contributing to the European Global Water Initiative. Two innovative methodologies were applied to integrate knowledge from natural and social sciences, namely the integrated modelling and integrated scenario development.

The project examined and evaluated nine subroutines, related to different aspects of water and land management, which were then integrated within a single tool. The framework was subsequently optimised via its implementation in selected river basins. Alterations in specific sub-models were necessary during this stage to take into consideration the regional catchment conditions. The case studies' analyses were based on the simulation of alternative scenarios that had been identified in collaboration with stakeholders and incorporated global and regional climatic changes, socioeconomic perspectives and interventions in the water and agricultural sectors. The produced results were evaluated, compared and published on the project website.

All RIVERTWIN models were disseminated through extended training activities, which targeted scientists and members of institutions. Moreover, the project affected the academic sector, via the elaboration of numerous theses. Training and communication activities were planned to extend beyond its lifetime, to ensure the implementation of the developed proposals by local end users.

RIVERTWIN was very successful, allowing for the transfer of European approaches at a global scale. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the implemented model structure had to be adapted for each specific case, depending on the prevailing hydrogeological conditions and the allocation of water resources.