Short Description
The Reference Guide for Programming is one of the public deliverables of the InnWater project (Promoting Social Innovation to Renew Multi-level and Cross-sector Water Governance). It is part of Work Package 2 (Water Governance for Sustainability and Resilience), specifically Task 2.2 (Identification and Characterisation of Effective Governance Practice and Solutions). This task aims to provide water managers and practitioners with structured, concise guidance to support governance-related programming. The Guide is based on asystematic analysis of governance practices, exploring their relevance in different contexts, the roles of key stakeholders, and the lessons learned from their implementation.
The Guide is informed by desk research and addresses two key aspects: the common barriers to water governance in Europe, and emerging solutions to overcome these barriers. Its structured approach builds on the conceptual framework developed in Task 2.1 (Enhanced Methodology for Expanded and Improved Application of OECD Governance Assessment Framework), which explores governance in relation to water systems sustainability. Therefore, the Guide is organised in four key dimensions, adding sustainability and resilience to the three OECD dimensions. It incorporates 16 governance principles, the 12 OECD principles on water governance, and four additional aspects relevant to sustainability and resilience.
Each governance principle is presented in a fact sheet to foster “assessment-to-action” by illustrating governance practices and solutions within a practical approach. Since the enabling environment for water governance varies according to the context, each fact sheet in the Guide includes case studiesillustrating how governance principles are applied in practice. Each principle is described in terms of expected results and success conditions, along with barriers and solutions to inspire concrete steps. Based on case studies from the project’s Pilot Sites and beyond, fact sheets encourage users to develop tailored actions that address underlying governance challenges.
The Guide will be integrated into the InnWater digital platform developed in Work package 4,and is designed to be used alongside the InnWater Governance Assessment Tool. The application of these tools is expected to enhance water governance practices across Europe.
The Guide is informed by desk research and addresses two key aspects: the common barriers to water governance in Europe, and emerging solutions to overcome these barriers. Its structured approach builds on the conceptual framework developed in Task 2.1 (Enhanced Methodology for Expanded and Improved Application of OECD Governance Assessment Framework), which explores governance in relation to water systems sustainability. Therefore, the Guide is organised in four key dimensions, adding sustainability and resilience to the three OECD dimensions. It incorporates 16 governance principles, the 12 OECD principles on water governance, and four additional aspects relevant to sustainability and resilience.
Each governance principle is presented in a fact sheet to foster “assessment-to-action” by illustrating governance practices and solutions within a practical approach. Since the enabling environment for water governance varies according to the context, each fact sheet in the Guide includes case studiesillustrating how governance principles are applied in practice. Each principle is described in terms of expected results and success conditions, along with barriers and solutions to inspire concrete steps. Based on case studies from the project’s Pilot Sites and beyond, fact sheets encourage users to develop tailored actions that address underlying governance challenges.
The Guide will be integrated into the InnWater digital platform developed in Work package 4,and is designed to be used alongside the InnWater Governance Assessment Tool. The application of these tools is expected to enhance water governance practices across Europe.