Page 26 - CIWA Water Data Revolution Overview Report

Water Data Revolution: Closing the data gap for transboundary water in Africa

feedback to identify necessary improvements for the final version. The workshop also included a
capacity-building component focused on more advanced topics in remote-sensing data and its
applications in water resources management within a transboundary context, both in relation to
the WA dashboard and beyond. The workshops saw active participation from a significant number

of RBO members, which facilitated valuable discussions and resulted in strong feedback on the
further improvements needed for the dashboard's final development. Moreover, participants
expressed high satisfaction with the capacity-building sessions, which allowed them to deepen
their technical knowledge and/or acquire new skills. A key outcome of the workshops was their
role in fostering a sense of ownership among the RBOs for the dashboard, strengthening their
commitment to continue this collaboration.

Building on the feedback obtained during the workshop the WA Dashboard was finalized. A final
workshop was carried out to launch the final WA Dashboard and share the outcomes with the
RBO. In parallel, complementary capacity building sessions were provided to enhance technical
skills in the RBOs for effective dashboard management.

Post-capacity building evaluations revealed a highly positive impact of the training sessions,
demonstrating significant enhancement of participants' knowledge across various water
accounting topics. These improvements reflect both the effectiveness of the training and the
participants' increased engagement with complex concepts. A key highlight was the
transformation in participants' understanding of water accounting. Before the training, many had
limited knowledge of the subject. By the end, all participants were able to answer fundamental

questions, showcasing a remarkable improvement in their grasp of key concepts. The training also
met participants' expectations, with 93% expressing that their knowledge had been greatly
enhanced. The structure and clarity of the sessions were widely praised, with participants finding
the content well-organized and easy to follow. Furthermore, the practical relevance of the WA+
tool was emphasized, with 67% of participants rating it as highly valuable for both current and
future projects. This underscores the lasting impact of the training on participants' professional
development.

5.5. Technical aspects of the WA Dashboard

The WA Dashboards were developed as web-based tools designed to provide detailed, multi-year
water accounts for the basins water resources. They offer insights into water balance
components, water usage patterns, water availability and climate change impact, to support
informed decision-making for enhanced management of transboundary water resources. A key
characteristic of the dashboard is that it facilitates the visualization of complex water data, making
it accessible to a range of stakeholders, including policymakers, scientists, and the general public.

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