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Boosting collective action for improved water quality management


Using a water stewardship approach, the programme aims to improve the quality and management of water as a shared resource, while ensuring sustainable business development in the Greater Mekong Region. In this 2nd phase, Switzerland will continue to support the World Wide Fund for Nature’s engagement with small and medium enterprises as well as other stakeholders, to reduce water pollution and improve water governance at river basin level.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Mekong
Water
Employment & economic development
Water resources conservation
Water sector policy
SME development
01.08.2024 - 31.07.2028
 CHF  1’850’000
The project in brief
Background Globally, water resources are significantly threatened by human activities and impacts from climate change. This is particularly notable in Asia and as a result, many rivers in the region are grossly polluted by human activities. The Mekong River supports the livelihood of more than 60 million people living in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is also considered the largest river to feed vast numbers of people relying on it for nutritional needs. Yet water quality is becoming dramatically degraded from upstream to downstream in many parts of the basin and evidence indicates that the diversity and productivity of freshwater species and ecosystems is also adversely affected. While SMEs are the backbone of the Greater Mekong region's economies, their aggregated impacts on water often exceed those of larger businesses.
Objectives SMEs in the Greater Mekong Region improve their water management, reduce pollution and collectively contribute to improved water governance at basin level.
Target groups
  • Textile and garment SMEs
  • Food & beverage SMEs
  • Aquaculture SMEs and smallholders
  • SME associations and industrial park operators
  • Women's unions, youth unions, as well as community CSO groups and their networks
  • Mekong River Commission (MRC) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Working Group for Water Resource Management
Medium-term outcomes
  1. By 2027, water stewardship involving SMEs has been promoted as an important water governance approach throughout the Greater Mekong Region
  2. By 2027, target SMEs (textile, food and beverages, aquaculture) apply practices and technologies to improve water efficiency and reduce water pollution
  3. By 2027, collective action has resulted in improved policy (implementation) and pollution education at scale using nature-based solutions (NbS)
Results

Expected results:  

  • By 2026, target SMEs are strengthened with technical capacity to implement internal actions to improve water quality and efficient uses of water in production systems
  • By 2026, Industrial parks are strengthened with technical capacity to adopt water stewardship and reduce pollution
  • By 2027, Nature-based Solutions are adopted to reduce pollution in water bodies receiving industrial wastewater discharge in the Greater Mekong Region
  • By 2027, water stewardship initiatives involving SMEs have been established in 2 additional countries in the region (Cambodia, Laos or Thailand)


Results from previous phases:  

  • 25 SMEs have collectively saved 3 million cubic meters of water annually in Vietnam. On average, these SMEs achieved a 20% reduction in water usage
  • An Environmental Management Plan handbook and training were provided to 30 SMEs in Yangon and 12 local SMEs in Mandalay
  • Over 1’300 women workers benefited from awareness training and resulting improved working conditions
  • 15 local CSOs enabled the measuring and monitoring of water pollution in their communities and mobilized capacities to more than 200 community members across Yangon, Mandalay and Ayeyarwady regions
Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
Private sector
  • Swiss Private Sector
  • WWFInternational


Coordination with other projects and actors
  • Promoting Water Stewardship 2030: WWF works closely with one of the program partners (AWS)
  • SDC Contribution to the Green Climate Fund
  • SDC Regional Hub in Bangkok, COOFs in the region and Swiss Embassy in Vietnam
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    1’850’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    205’650 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   6’743’311 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   8’871’000
Project phases Phase 2 01.08.2024 - 31.07.2028   (Current phase)
  • Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION
    WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION
    INDUSTRY
    Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation
    Water resources conservation (including data collection)
    Water sector policy and administrative management
    Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) development
    Cross-cutting topics The project promotes biodiversity.
    Aid Type Mandate without fiduciary fund
    Project and programme contribution
    Project number

    7F10141

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Last update 08.05.2020