International Waters learning Exchange & Resource Network

5.16 - National and regional consultation process

Introduction

There are likely to be three types of meeting during this phase:

  • Economic, political and social evaluation of alternatives
  • SAP integration
  • Action planning

Meetings to evaluate alternatives

In order to ensure that each participating country reviews the outputs of the strategic thinking process - in particular the vision, goals and suggested options/alternatives - and conducts a thorough evaluation of the feasibility of the alternatives from a national perspective.

A series of country-based meetings, attended by SAP Development Team members representing the particular country, key national stakeholders, and the Project Manager and Project staff should be initiated.

It is likely that further in-depth meetings will be needed at key ministries and other stakeholders in each country. The level of input from stakeholders will vary between countries and consequently the approach used will need to be customised accordingly.

More details on the national and regional consultation process can be found Here.

SAP integration meetings

There will need to be high-level meetings with key ministries and stakeholders involved with national development planning to ensure the SAP is fully integrated into national development plans and vice versa.

In particular, the meetings should focus on:

  • Integration/Implementation strategies
  • Legal and Institutional Frameworks
  • Investment priorities

As with the national consultation meetings described above, the level of input from stakeholders will vary between countries and the approach used will need to be customised accordingly in terms of meetings, workshops etc.

More details on SAP integration can be found Here.

National action planning meeting

One of the core outcomes when drafting a SAP is to develop it in a way that is easily translatable into action, both regionally (at the water system level) and nationally. It is important that the SAP addresses not only the high-level initiatives and over-arching goals (predominantly at the water system level), but that they get articulated (translated) into short term actions that will be required to achieve the programme (predominantly at the national level). Action planning also includes specifying national responsibilities, budgets, timelines and priorities with each objective and action. It should also include methods to monitor and evaluate the SAP.

Therefore, it is advisable at this stage to ensure there is high-level national input to the action planning process. Again, the level of input from stakeholders will vary between countries and the approach used will need to be customised accordingly in terms of meetings, workshops etc.

More details on National Action Planning can be found Here.