Page 101 - CIWA AR25

Annexes

Risk Description Mitigation Applied Notable Status Updates

synergies, and overlaps or gaps and ways to
overcome them. CIWA also seeks opportunities
to facilitate learning across basins.
In FY25, CIWA implemented several strategies to
address insufficient basin-wide commitment.
These included facilitating dialogue and
negotiation to encourage formal membership
and participation in basin organizations;
providing technical assistance and capacity
building, including to demonstrate the benefits
of multilateral cooperation and encourage
countries to engage more actively; incentivizing
participation in basin organizations, including
with access to funding, technical resources,
and support for sustainable WRM projects; and
engaging with political leaders and policymakers
to advocate for basin-wide cooperation and the
benefits of multilateral WRM and development.
This engagement is crucial in aligning political
interests with water management goals.
CIWA has ramped up its visibility through the
now-established communication portfolio and
will continue to demonstrate the benefits of
cooperation to its stakeholders.

4. Inadequate stakeholder voice and explicit CIWA prioritizes the involvement of stakeholders The diverse cultural and political landscapes
incorporation of gender considerations. and thorough consideration of stakeholder in Africa have differing amounts of space for
Stakeholders may not fully engage in the project needs and concerns throughout the project strong stakeholder voice and participation. In
cycle, resulting in inadequate participation in cycle. One of CIWA’s results areas (the several transboundary basins, the strategy for
decision making and raising the potential of “Platform for Cooperation”) aims to strengthen stakeholder engagement is the same or on a
public protest and dissatisfaction that could stakeholder engagement in WRM and focuses on positive trajectory. The Nile Basin, in particular,
jeopardize or delay development projects. opportunities for gender equality in some areas. is committed to promoting GESI. But often
Insufficient stakeholder engagement is also a RBOs may have a stakeholder engagement
risk to the quality of project outcomes. When starting an engagement in a priority strategy that fails to be fully implemented.
basin, CIWA works with clients to develop a
The World Bank’s approach to Gender and balanced program with support that cuts across
Social Inclusion (GESI) is based on rigorous the four results areas. During preparation and
quantitative and qualitative assessments and implementation, CIWA mainstreams gender,
lessons learned from many years of working poverty reduction, and stakeholder engagement
for global prosperity. Economic growth at considerations as standard actions.
the expense of large swaths of people is
unsustainable and even works against itself by CIWA’s Male Champions initiative is growing
wasting significant human capital. and now includes members from every region
in SSA, who are promoting gender equality and
empowerment of women in their organizations.

5. Inadequate implementation capacity and During project preparation, World Bank Many CIWA projects were designed
readiness can cause short- to medium- experts assess implementation capacity and with a goal of supporting a new RBO or
term delays. Some basin organizations may readiness of the recipient organization and strengthening the capacity of a weak RBO
have insufficient capacity or experience plan the magnitude and complexity of CIWA’s or regional economic entity to implement
to effectively engage in management and engagement accordingly. The Bank provides a World Bank investment.
development, delaying project implementation support for financial management, procurement,
and affecting the overall pace of achievement and project management. Project-supported Readiness is often an issue that manifests
of program objectives. capacity enhancement might also be a in both client and World Bank project
contingency for project approval. For example, teams. CIWA supported a new project
a project may be conditioned on the hiring of design with direct assistance from experts
an environmental and social expert to provide in cross-cutting themes including gender,
safeguards support. Many projects address this FCV, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
risk by designating an institutional support and The added support from CIWA contributed
capacity building component. In addition, CIWA to stronger starts, however, this cannot
can employ Bank-executed programming as an fully compensate for issues on the client
initial financing modality to strengthen recipient side, which often stem from challenges in
implementation capacity and readiness. hiring experienced personnel on time.
Furthermore, over time, capacity is built in
the organizations at both the technical and
institutional levels (including procurement
and financial management) through continual
engagement with World Bank experts, and
the CIWA team notes that capacity has
increased, e.g., through RETFs such as the
NCCR and SADC-GMI projects.

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