Sustainability of local initiatives through the implementation of financial instruments – CAREC training
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arch 10, 2017, Taraz (Kazakhstan) hosted a training on «Financial and economic instruments for the implementation of basin planning» in the framework of the project «Support towards local initiatives on environmental governance and water resources management in Central Asia» financed by the Norway Government with co-financing from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The main goal of the event was to identify the most promising financial and economic mechanisms in the water sector to ensure the sustainability of basin planning in Kazakhstan.
The objectives of the training were:
• Review of existing legislation on the possibilities of introducing financial and economic mechanisms at the basin level
• Review of international experience in the use of financial and economic instruments in the water sector
• Analysis of the applicability of additional funding mechanisms in the basin
• Practical recommendations for the implementation of identified mechanisms in Kazakhstan
More than 25 people from Kazakhstan participated in this training. They were the representatives of the Small Basin Council (SBC) on the Aspara River, the Chu-Talas Basin Council, as well as the newly established SBC on the Kurkureu Su river, local farmers and public organizations, CAREC experts.
During the event, theoretical tools for financing in water sector were considered, as well as the experience of their application in other countries. Further, those instruments that already exist in the country and the perspective ones in water resources management sphere were presented and discussed.
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t the end, participants were suggested to carry out the practical exercise in groups. The task was to develop a step-by-step plan for the application of one of the financing mechanisms to implement activity from the Basin Plan for the Aspara River. Thus, participants during the training identified necessary conditions for the application of these tools in practice, including a list of stakeholders involved, time frames, possible risks and solutions.
The results of this training will be integrated into the report on financial and economic instruments for basin planning in Central Asia and will form the basis of a training module for professionals from water resources management sector.