Photo: IUCN ORMACC
Coatan River Basin (Mexico-Guatemala)
In this watershed the BRIDGE project aims at improving water governance capacities and raising awareness on integrated water resources management (IWRM). Identifying key stakeholders (in riparian countries) with similar environmental concerns as well as objectives in relation to institutional coordination and organizational structure is crucial. They are gathered together through workshops to share experience, compare opportunities and weaknesses of joint management and benefit sharing, and draft a joint agenda. Such a process benefits from multi-sectoral integration and involvement of local political authorities.
Goascoran River Basin (Honduras-El Salvador)
BRIDGE is supporting the Binational Management Committee of the Goascoran River to strengthen its role, update the basin management plan and improve its effectiveness for a sustainable development and appropriate transboundary management of the international river. Further activities aim at engaging with different stakeholders at all level (form local to high level national officials) in order to empower them and reinforce their participation to the decision-making process and executive phase. The expected result is long-term planning, appropriate protection and sustainable management of the shared river basin.
Sixaola River Basin (Costa Rica-Panama)
The BRIDGE project seeks to reinforce the institutional structure, the operational capacities and role of the recently established Binational Watershed Commission of the Sixaola River through a formal recognition from the two national governments (Costa Rica and Panama) and the development of a specific code-of-conduct. It is also important to address local conflicts due to the change of the river course and the consequent displacement of the international border. Trainings and workshop are among the main activities developed to reinforce public participation, allow multi-stakeholders’ interaction, raise awareness on issues of governance and IWRM and empower interested actors.
