Building partnerships for efficient water management: ‘Local Water Partnerships’

By project Gov4Water

Published on 04 February 2025

Poland

About this good practice

In 2020 Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in cooperation with the Agricultural Advisory Centre in Brwinów and the Regional Agricultural Advisory Centres, undertook work on the creation of Local Water Partnerships (LWPs), whose task was to initiate and then strengthen cooperation and networking between local society and institutions and offices in the field of water management in rural areas, with a particular focus on agriculture.

The initiative to establish water partnerships in the district was taken by the agricultural advisory centres, within which local water coordinators were appointed.

The partnerships include both those implementing and responsible for water management tasks and individuals/organisations interested in efficient water management. Starting from farmers, through to local authorities together with the services of the State Water Management Authority Polish Waters, Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection and experts operating in the field of hydrology or hydraulic engineering.

At the moment, Local Water Partnerships do not have formal structures (they operate on the basis of letters of intent). During a number of meetings organised as part of the pilot implementation of LWPs, suggestions were made as to what competences these organisations should have. According to the majority of participants, LWPs should be a body that gives opinions on investment projects, provides advice and also actively seeks funding sources.

Expert opinion

Europe faces escalating challenges from rising temperatures, with record heat contributing to drier soils, wildfires, droughts, and flooding. One in eight Europeans lives in areas prone to river floods, while 30% in southern Europe face chronic water stress. In 2023, extreme heat stress reached record levels, amplifying health impacts from climate-related events, as well as significant river flooding. European regions, cities, farms, industries and citizens are not yet adequately prepared for these intensifying extreme weather events and must build water resilience to adapt, recover, and address issues like drought, floods, and water pollution. For these reasons, the EU is currently preparing a Water Resilience Strategy, which will strengthen the existing water policies. The water sector has many different stakeholders with various needs. Agriculture, industry and citizens are the key ones. It is important to create a water community, where a wide range of stakeholders can be involved, and many sides of the problem can be discussed. This is exactly the aim of this good practice and it would be only beneficial, if other regions adopted a similar approach.

Magda Michaliková

Works at Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform

Resources needed

In order to implement the practice, funds are needed to cover administrative costs, such as those associated with organising meetings, as well as the costs of drawing up water management plans for the specific area

Evidence of success

One of the outcomes of the Local Water Partnership activities is the creation of Rural Water Management Development Plans in each county.
The plans include, among other things, a diagnosis of the problems and needs in water management for each district as well as lists of investments and local actions recommended to be taken.
A particular value of Local Water Partnerships and the meetings organised as part of them is the activation and integration of local communities.

Potential for learning or transfer

The initiative can be used in any region as it does not depend on any external factors. It is crucial that a competent entity, e.g. a Ministry or a local government, takes the initiative to build a local community for effective water resource management.

It can be particularly valuable for regions facing challenges that require the cooperation of different communities (e.g. local authorities with farmers or entrepreneurs). During the meetings, problems such as property rights or financing models for the projects concerned can be diagnosed.

The establishment of Water Partnerships can also facilitate the process of applying for funding for water projects