Author: Harmke Berghuis

Impact of the Blue Deal on Dutch international water policy

The Dutch government is shaping its policy for development cooperation for the coming years. This is done in the light of a decision to cut back on international cooperation budgets. Water management will remain a key focus in the Dutch international policy. And existing financing obligations, such as cooperation in the Blue Deal programme, are given priority.

Dutch Water Authorities has therefore participated in various meetings, amongst others with members of the Dutch Parliament and in a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Aid. In this way, we point out the importance of the contribution of the Dutch Water Authorities, by means of the Blue Deal programme, for international cooperation in the water sector.

Blue Deal contributes to key objectives of Dutch international water policy

Dutch Water Authorities brings to the front that the Blue Deal will continue to be an important cornerstone for the new Dutch international policy. This programme contributes to several key objectives:

  • Strengthening Dutch trade: The Blue Deal collaborates with regional water authorities in 15 countries. To implement projects in these regions, expertise is crucial, making Dutch companies a natural partner due to their world-class knowledge of water management.
  • Contributing to stability in our partner countries: By strengthening local and regional water authorities, the Blue Deal enhances water management, improving living conditions and reducing migration pressures. Additionally, climate adaptation solutions help ensure future access to clean, sufficient, and safe water, fostering a stable living environment.

Blue Deal contributes to global stability

“Water management remains a key theme in the government’s international vision,” says Luzette Kroon, Chair of the Blue Deal Steering Committee. “We take pride in our international efforts and see the tangible benefits for society. The Blue Deal is gaining momentum, promoting trade and contributing to global stability. I urge the Dutch Minister to ensure the Blue Deal is firmly embedded in the international cooperation strategy up to 2030. By focusing on strong local governance, we serve the Netherlands’ interests directly and sustainably.”

Global knowledge exchange and opportunities for Dutch businesses

“Water managers worldwide are increasingly facing extreme weather conditions, such as floods, droughts, and a lack of clean water,” Kroon continues. “This growing demand for water management expertise is precisely where the Netherlands excels. Since 2018, the Blue Deal has actively shared Dutch water knowledge globally, creating opportunities for both Dutch and local businesses. The programme supports the Sustainable Development Goals (specifically SDG6) and brings valuable insights back to the Netherlands, sparking innovative ideas that benefit our own water management.”

More clarity expected by spring 2025

The future direction of Dutch international trade and development policy will become clearer when the government releases its policy note in the spring of 2025. This document will outline the specifics of the Netherlands’ approach to water management and other priorities from 2026 onwards.

700 residents benefit from new wetland in Adama, Ethiopia

At the beginning of October, the city of Adama, Ethiopia, celebrated a major milestone: the inauguration of a newly constructed wetland. This initiative has improved the living conditions of 700 residents, offering enhanced safety, hygiene, and a cleaner environment.

The wetland – a natural alternative for wastewater treatment – contributes to public health and strengthens the local ecology in a sustainable way. This project was supported through additional funding from the NWB Fund for the Blue Deal Wastewater Ethiopia initiative.

Wastewater treatment vs. wetlands

In some countries, wastewater treatment facilities are scarce. An alternative is a wetland, which mimics natural processes to purify water. This approach, also known as constructed wetlands or helophyte filters, utilises plants, soil, and bacteria to remove pollutants from wastewater. The treated water can be pumped using a hand pump and reused for flushing toilets or watering vegetable gardens. Through the Blue Deal, World Waternet (of which the Dutch water authority Amstel, Gooi en Vecht is part of) is supporting Adama’s local water utility in monitoring the water quality, ensuring safe and responsible reuse by the community.

A blessed opening

The opening ceremony was blessed by the Abagadda, respected elders of the community, whose support symbolises strong local involvement. The State Minister of Water Supply and Sanitation, H.E. Dr Asfaw Dingamo, emphasised the importance of sanitation for effective water management: “Sanitation is a crucial component of the water cycle that must not be overlooked.” During the event, project leader Tanah Meijers was honoured with a new Oromo name, Bagatú, meaning ‘resourceful’.

A community-based solution

This project goes beyond being a nature-based solution; it is also a community-based solution. The residents of Denballaa were involved in the development of the wetland from the very beginning and will now manage it themselves. They will receive support from the Blue Deal partner, Adama Water Utility, ensuring long-term sustainability. By involving the community, the project fosters a sense of pride and responsibility among the residents.

Linking water management

Jelmer van Veen, First Secretary for Water Affairs at the Dutch Embassy in Ethiopia, underlined the importance of a holistic approach to water management: “We often focus on water supply, but sometimes forget what happens to wastewater. Untreated wastewater has significant consequences for health and the environment. Everything is interconnected.”

More wetlands in the future

World Waternet’s CEO Frodo van Oostveen thanked everyone for their perseverance and concluded the ceremony with an energetic message: “Next year, we hope to see the Dembela wetland flourishing. We aim to establish more wetlands in other cities. Today should be celebrated as Ethiopia’s Wetland Day, and I look forward to seeing you next year to share experiences from the Dembela wetland and celebrate the opening of a new one.”

Broad impact in Ethiopia

This project in Adama aligns with similar initiatives, such as those in Shashemene, where 2 wetlands were previously constructed by partners WASTE and BBBC. Blue Deal Wastewater, along with the Shashemene Water Utility, monitors water quality with wastewater specialists from (World) Waternet, the Municipality of Groningen, and Urk. Together, they ensure that wetlands become an integral part of the water utilities’ asset management.

Post-election tensions and instability in Mozambique

On 9 October, elections were held in Mozambique to select the country's next president, members of parliament, provincial assemblies, and governors. Since the announcement of the election results, which gave an advantage to the party currently in power, the country has faced a period of political and social tension, with opposition parties contesting the election results. This also has an impact on the Blue Deal partnership and planned activities.

The electoral irregularities identified by opposition parties, international observers, and members of civil society resulted in a wave of protests that gave rise to heightened levels of polarisation, violence, and repression.

Impact on the Blue Deal partnership and planned activities

The country’s political, social, and economic situation rapidly deteriorated. Resulting in significant disruptions to transportation infrastructure, business operations, and the movement of people and goods. This scenario is adversely affecting the implementation of activities planned by the Blue Deal partnership in Mozambique. The current security situation, resulting from the protests and police action, is negatively impacting the ability of local partners to work, both in their offices and in the field. As a result, several activities planned by the partnership for the last quarter of this year have been cancelled or postponed until next year. Additionally, travel to the country by experts from Dutch Water Authorities has also been banned, limiting the exchange of experiences between the 2 countries for an unknown period.

Uncertainty

It is not possible to ascertain the direction the protests may take until the official results have been announced by the highest justice body in Mozambique (the Constitutional Council). Consequently, it is uncertain to which extent the Blue Deal programme can be implemented over the next time. In the meantime, we are continuing to coordinate activities which are still possible, while respecting all possible levels of security. It is our hope that the situation does not escalate.

Working together in challenging times

Over the years, we have built a strong and lasting relationship with our partners, and we truly empathise with them. Especially in these challenging times, we maintain close contact and collaborate to find solutions for the programme. We remain as flexible as possible and actively contribute to ensuring progress. Wherever possible, we move activities online and strive to keep everyone engaged.

High-Level Dialogue Eswatini

In early November, a second visit for the High-Level Dialogue took place as part of Blue Deal Eswatini. During the first visit, discussions were held with all key stakeholders in Eswatini’s water sector. This second visit served as a follow-up.

The Dutch water authority Vechtstromen and the Dutch water authority Limburg are collaborating with water authorities in this southern African country to strengthen decentralised water management. The focus of this work visit was on financially sustainable integrated water resources management (IWRM). Key aspects included optimising the water management chain and ensuring sustainable financing. Intensive working sessions were held with the Ministry, as well as with directors and managers of the local water authorities.

3 main themes

From the interviews conducted during the first visit with the 13 main organisations involved in water management in Eswatini, 10 key issues were identified. These were analysed further, drawing on relevant literature, research reports, additional discussions with experts, and our own expertise. This process led to the main themes for the working sessions during this second visit:

  • Clarity in tasks, roles, and responsibilities;
  • Effective collaboration;
  • Well-founded tax collection.

From theory to practice

Each working session comprised a theoretical component followed by the practical application of the material through various methods. These sessions explored both the current situation and potential ideal alternatives, fostering deeper understanding of the themes and of each other’s perspectives. This, in turn, provided valuable input for further discussions. Topics such as sharing personnel, reducing the number of administrative bodies, and potential organisational mergers were also addressed, despite their complexity and sensitivity.

Focus on end user

Thinking beyond the framework of the current Water Act (which is under revision) proved challenging but enabled constructive discussions. The shared goal emerged clearly: focus more on the end user and empower Eswatini’s water management.

Next steps

The work visit was a success. The atmosphere was positive, conversations were open, and the willingness to take the next steps was palpable. We gathered substantial input, which will be used to develop an action plan together with local partners. The aim is to formalise the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the first half of 2025.

Young people in South Africa perform water quality monitoring and river health assessment

On 2 October, a group of young people from Soulfood Community Organisation in Grabouw were educated on the monitoring of water quality, as well as river health and ecosystem functionality, marking good progress for the Citizen Science campaign for the Blue Deal project in Grabouw, South Africa.

This educational day was a culmination of efforts by the Breede-Olifants Catchment Management Agency (BOCMA), Theewaterskloof Municipality, and Dutch Water Authorities. Accompanied by officials from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), they joined efforts to ensure the roaring success of the Citizen Science campaign.

Citizen science addresses local and global challenges

Citizen science in South Africa is a vibrant and growing field, engaging communities in various scientific research projects. These initiatives empower individuals to contribute to scientific knowledge and address local and global challenges. It covers a wide range of topics, including environmental conservation and, in this instance, water resources management.

Creating awareness

Part of the objectives of the Blue Deal Theewaterskloof project, is to create awareness and to educate around issues of sustainability – in this instance, remedying the effects of solid waste pollution on water resources. 12 youngsters from the Soulfood organisation were educated in monitoring the water quality of different water streams, as well as a mini SASS (South African Scoring System), where the river and ecosystem health of the Klipdrift River was determined. The youngsters had the opportunity to interact with water resources specialists from BOCMA. This collaborative spirit helps gather valuable data and insights, enriching our understanding of the natural world. At the same time, it provides learning opportunities outside the traditional classroom setting.

Collecting water quality samples

The day started with an explanation of how the specialists work. This was followed by a water quality monitoring exercise, where the youngsters collected water quality samples of urban water streams. Hereafter, a mini SASS exercise followed. The excitement was tangible when they got to wear the wading suits to collect river samples. The entire group then identified the organisms from the river to assess the river health.

“Everything has an impact on the environment”

The youngsters were enthusiastic and engaged in discussions with the specialists about working in the water sector, job opportunities, and hope. One of the youngsters: “I learned that everything has an impact on the environment, for example solid waste.” Involving the community through the Blue Deal and the Citizens Science campaign will take place more frequently across various locations in the region, as well as drawing linkages between this programme and others within South Africa. In doing so, this advances scientific research, and fosters community involvement and education, making it a powerful tool for sustainable development and conservation.

Watch the video via LinkedIn

A dike specialist looks back at her first work visit with Blue Deal Peru

What is it like to work for the Blue Deal Peru? Evelien van der Heijden is a Dutch dike specialist who recently joined the Blue Deal family. She shares her experiences of her first work visit to Peru from 17 - 28 November. "This was a reality check for me."

System as a whole

“I’m a dike specialist at the Dutch water authority Rivierenland. I studied Earth Sciences, which taught me the logic behind earth’s processes. My contribution to the Blue Deal Peru team focuses on minimalising the problems on the rivers during rainy seasons. I do, however, realise we have to take into account the system as a whole, including the various (extreme) challenges it faces.”

Goals for the first visit

“My goals for this first work visit were:

  • Meeting our partners and getting a sense of the different parties involved, and the roles and positions they take;
  • Getting more information about the regions, the rivers and the existing challenges.”

Ways to cooperate

“Our direct partner is the Autoridad Nacional del Agua (ANA). We visited the headquarters in Lima and spent most of our time with the ANA’s in the northern regions of Tumbes and Piura. For my work, another important party is the Autoridad Nacional de Infraestructura (ANIN). This party is assigned to build infrastructural works to prevent disruptive floodings who severely affect the regions. Together with our partners we spoke with ANIN about ways to cooperate and exchange information.”

Climate Cafe

“We joined the Climate Cafe workshops on a field trip to the Tumbes river upstream areas. The workshops are also part of our project, they are organised by the University of Applied Sciences Hanze, Wageningen and Maastricht Universities. They focus on working and creating awareness of water and climate issues among university students. Together with the students, I learned about the Tumbes river, quality and sedimentation problems.”

Extremes of the river system

“The day after, we had a field trip with ANA, ANIN and other stakeholders. This day brought together parties that have trouble cooperating. Although no friendships blossomed, at least there was knowledge exchange and interaction. And I learned about the different parties and their (interacting) roles.”

“During this field trip, we visited some brand new constructions, built by ANIN. These huge constructions collect the debris during rainy season in temporary tributaries. It’s hard to imagine these constructions at work during that season or a ‘wet event’ when melting away in the sun in a dry river bed. It made me realise the scale of the extremes of this river system. I realise now that I need more experience to really comprehend this system.”

Don’t jump to solutions

“In Piura, Dutch Water Authorities colleague Betty Laan (from the Dutch water authority hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier) gave a workshop about strengthening the position of the water councils and the possible conditions of a decision-making process. This gave me a good understanding about the different parties and their interests, including their challenges. The key insight from the sessions and discussions with Betty and the partners was the importance of first understanding the conditions of a situation or problem, rather than immediately jumping to solutions.”

‘Wastewater people’

“Later that day, the room was filled with ‘wastewater people’. This was because Dutch Water Authorities colleague John Koop (of the Dutch water authority Hunze en Aa’s) introduced a training programme for employees at wastewater treatment facilities. Additionally, Sander Wingelaar, a PhD candidate from TU Delft, presented his research proposal on wastewater resource recovery. Although not my area of expertise, certainly an expansion of my network.”

“The day after, Carlo van Oijen, a student at the Wageningen University, presented his Bachelor thesis ‘Flood Risk Reduction in the lower catchment of the Piura River”. Carlo was on screen (via Teams), while ANA and ANIN sat together with us in the meeting room. We had an open conversation about the newly gained knowledge and how we could work together to help mitigating floods in the city.”

Severe drought

“The last day in Piura, we attended the Climate Cafe. As part of this, we visited the Poechos dam and reservoir. The reservoir is nearly empty and no water flows through to feed the river. This was a reality check for me. I could understand the current news about the difficult situation of many farmers in the region, who are afraid to lose their production due to severe drought. Thus, the regions are not only affected by floods but also suffer extreme droughts as consequences of climate change.”

“Next to those impacts and together with the students, we also learned about the struggles a community faces due to the building of another dam. Some interviews were conducted by the students of the Climate Cafe with the community members. Although my Spanish was not good enough to completely understand their stories, this certainly gave me an insight in the most important party: the local inhabitants, who we, civil servants, work for.”

Sharing experiences

“Looking back at this work visit I can surely check the boxes of my proposed objectives. It was a great experience. The most valuable: the time spent in between and on the road with colleagues from ANA and Dutch Water Authorities, sharing experiences and insights.”

Busy months for Blue Dragon Vietnam

The Blue Dragon programme, the Blue Deal partnership in Vietnam, experienced a busy second half of the year 2024 with the following events.

Green Economic Forum and Exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City

The Blue Dragon programme was invited by the Consulate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to take part in the Green Economy Forum & Exhibition (GEFE) from 21 – 23 October. The Blue Dragon programme presented about breaking the Build-Neglect-Repair cycle by our successful training programme on asset management and operation and maintenance. This was well received by the public and enterprises present.

During GEFE, the Blue Dragon programme also met with the Water Agency and other Dutch enterprises active in Vietnam. The Water Agency has interesting content, which creates chances to collaborate with each other.

Expanding the Blue Dragon programme to more provinces in the Mekong Delta

During the work visits to Vietnam in October and November, we visited 4 provinces in the Mekong Delta who showed interest in joining the programme. We met the Provincial People Committees represented by the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and other departments of the provinces An Giang, Vinh Long, Bac Lieu and Soc Trang. They all started the approval processes to join the programme. At Bac Lieu the director even invited the press and local television to prepare a news item.

The Blue Dragon programme will organise workshops in February 2025 to discuss contents of the programme in each new province with the presence of officials from several departments of the provinces working on water management.

GIS training

The coordinating office of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) contacted us in 2023 to start a GIS training programme with all provinces of the Mekong Delta. This initiative was developed together with the Can Tho University (CTU) and Hannes Versteegh from the Dutch water authority Hollands Noorderkwartier into a 4 week training programme starting with the basics of GIS. The coordinating office of MARD invited the participants from all provinces to come to CTU in Can Tho to take part.

The first training started in March 2024 with almost 60 participants. 3 trainings have so far been organised in 2024. The coordinating office proposed to extend the training with GIS analyses and the Dutch water authority De Stichtse Rijnlanden organized 2 GIS specialists to develop and give the trainings with CTU. During 2025 and 2026, 5 more trainings will be organised relating to rice agriculture and water management.

Blue Dragon Day meeting – Ecological embankments for erosion prevention

On 13 November, the annual Blue Dragon Day meeting was held in Rach Gia, Kien Giang province. With 40 participants from Can Tho, Hau Giang and Kien Giang provinces, the Ecological Embankment Pilot project in Kien Giang, applying nature-based solutions for erosion protection, was discussed.
After the opening by Mr Tjeerd Dijkstra (partnership manager) and Mr Doan Chi Tam (Vice Director of Water Resources Division in Kien Giang), the presentations started.

Dr Vu Tien Duc (Royal HaskoningDHV) presented the different design options for ecological embankments that could be applied in the pilot area in Kien Giang Province. After the presentations, the participants were divided into 3 groups in which they analysed and discussed the different designs from technical, social, environmental, and financial perspective.

There was a lot of energy and enthusiasm during the discussions. As part of the Blue Dragon programme goals, there was also interprovincial cooperation by participants of Can Tho and Hau Giang giving their expertise on the pilot project in Kien Giang. The meeting resulted in recommendations on what designs should be considered during the next phase. Also, important recommendations were provided on how to improve the selected designs. The designs will be updated.

Mangrove expansion and carbon credits in Ghana

The Songor mangrove project in the lower Volta basin in Ghana has taken a significant step forward in addressing both climate change and local livelihood challenges. A Blue Deal workshop in October brought key stakeholders together to explore the potential for expansion of the mangrove coverage in combination with the generation of carbon credits.

These stakeholders included the Blue Deal team Ghana, Water Resource Commission (WRC), Forestry Commission, District Assemblies, and Treevive/Face the Future.

Tap into the voluntary carbon market

The focus of the day was to identify key areas for mangrove restoration andexpansion, and to understand the organisational frameworks needed to leverage carbon storage for both environmental and economic benefits. Mangroves can play a role in storing carbon, and through the Blue Deal initiative, Ghana aims to tap into the voluntary carbon market by expanding mangrove acreage.

Benefits of carbon credit system

Treevive presented the carbon credit system, where carbon emitters pay off their emissions, and funds are used to support mangrove planting and maintenance. Although the start-up phase takes up to 8 years, the project promises long-term benefits up to 40 years, including alternative livelihoods, coastal protection and improved water quality.

Risks for the project

Another part of the workshop was about defining risks in the future project, so a risk matrix was made. A key challenge discussed was land fragmentation in the region, where land is owned by communities, private individuals, or leased, complicating ownership and management of the mangroves. Stakeholders agreed that a trust fund would help manage carbon credits and ensure fair distribution of funds. The initiative has stirred up optimism for creating a sustainable future in the region, with a focus on collaboration, community involvement, and a long-term strategy for mangrove restoration.

Field visits

During the Blue Deal work visit, several field visits took place in the Songor area to assess the suitability for mangrove restoration. Field visits have also taken place in the Keta area that may be included in the assessment.

Prefeasibility study

Treevive/Face the Future has begun assessing the prefeasibility study for the Songor restoration project, building on previous studies, as well as insights gained from this week’s field visits and workshops.

Blue Deal Romania part of Wetskills-Romania 2024

Blue Deal Romania participated in the Wetskills event in Romania from 16 - 29 November 2024 with 2 assignments.

The Wetskills Water Challenge is a 2-weeks programme for students and young professionals from all over the world with a passion for water. They join an event, and work in transdisciplinary and transcultural teams on challenging water cases. Blue Deal Romania contributed to this years’ event with 2 cases:

  • Engaging young people in risk, crisis, and corporate communication;
  • Nature-based solutions for drought measures.

For the communication assignment, a Wetskills team of 5 people developed an app called Personal Assistant for Communication with Organisation (PACO), complete with its own mascot. This team included 3 staff members from the Blue Deal partner organisation, the National Administration Romanian Waters.

For the nature-based solutions assignment, a Wetskills team of 4 people devised solutions to reconnect an old river branch and to restore a neglected spring. This team included a staff member from the Dutch water authority Brabantse Delta.

The solutions were presented on 28 November 2024 at the Dutch Embassy in Bucharest. They will be discussed during upcoming Blue Deal Romania meetings.

Interview Marieke van Nood: a visit to Blue Deal Colombia

Marieke van Nood, Programme Manager at the Blue Deal Programme Office, recently visited the COP16 on biodiversity and combined this with a field visit to InspirAgua, the Blue Deal partnership in Colombia. During her visit, she explored the progress and impact of the partnership on the ground, engaging with local teams and partners to strengthen ties and exchange valuable insights. Below, she reflects on her experience and shares her observations.

Participative monitoring during the field trip in Rio Las Ceibas, Colombia

What stood out most to you about your visit to the InspirAgua programme?

“When I had the chance to spend a few days with the InspirAgua team in Colombia at the end of October 2024 for the COP16 and for a field visit, I was particularly curious about how the local partner organisation values the collaboration. My curiosity was immediately rewarded when I met the technical director of the regional water authority in Cali, Paola Patiño, upon my arrival. She has a comprehensive view of the value of InspirAgua, from strategic to tactical levels. This was further confirmed by her colleagues in Cali and especially in Huila.”

“The lively and open discussions about improving monitoring and information management there highlighted for me that InspirAgua addresses unique and essential topics in knowledge exchange. Of course, I would have loved to see even more of the other work InspirAgua is involved in, such as crisis or wastewater management. That’s something for next time!”

How would you describe the collaboration between the Dutch and Colombian colleagues?

“The collaboration is warm and cordial. The trust that has been built forms the foundation for diving deep into substantive topics and sometimes having challenging discussions. A special compliment also goes to the new Young Expert colleagues. In Huila, Laura Camila was an excellent translator – not just linguistically, but also in terms of content and cultural nuances.”

What would you like to share with the colleagues of InspirAgua and other Blue Deal partnerships?

“The commitment of all the experts is incredibly high. I noticed this during the preparatory meetings as well as in the field teams. I hope you can pass on this dedication to future experts of Dutch Water Authorities.”

“I was also impressed by the efficiency of splitting into small groups of 2 or 3 people focusing on specific topics. This makes excellent use of everyone’s time and knowledge, including colleagues at the regional water authorities. I realise this involves significant logistical and coordination efforts for the partnership management, but the results are truly fantastic.”

Read more about Marieke van Nood