GLOWS' mission is to promote the integrated management of water resources and
aquatic ecosystems world-wide. Program activites seek to simultaneously
maximize the economic and social benefits derived from water resources
while sustaining freshwater ecosystems.
Working at a basin, watershed or aquifer
scale, the GLOWS consortium provides expertise across the policy,
governance, institutional, educational, and technical dimensions of
integrated water resources management (IWRM). Approaches combine
advanced analytical techniques, innovative mechanisms for sustainable
resource management and biodiversity conservation, community-based
programs in poverty alleviation, improved sanitation and potable water
supply, and global networking of local NGOs to achieve IWRM objectives.
With field offices in most USAID
countries, the consortium possesses the infrastructure and skilled
staff to plan and implement projects efficiently wherever USAID
operates.
The program includes three key elements:
Strengthening Cooperative Governance and Strategic Decision-Making by
- Promoting citizen participation,
community involvement, intergovernmental cooperation and collaborative
approaches to decision-making in IWRM
- Building capacity of government
officials and administrators, NGOs, and community members in effective
development, planning, management, and administration of complex IWRM
activities
Supporting innovative and sustainable technical interventions by
- Promoting best practices in water demand management and pollution prevention
- Fostering sustainable fisheries, aquaculture and aquatic ecosystem protection
- Working with communities to provide sustainable water and sanitation services
Fostering global learning and local capacity building in IWRM by
- Sharing information and disseminating lessons with USAID Missions and other peers in the field
- Recruiting and training talented
citizens of USAID Mission countries, in order to cultivate local and
regional leadership and capacity to implement world-class IWRM
activities.