JOINING THE FRESHWATER CHALLENGE

The Freshwater Challenge operates as a voluntary, country-led initiative open to:

New country members;
Supporting Non-State Actors; and
Supporting Private Sector entities.

Member Countries:

In 2023, the Freshwater Challenge was chosen as one of the Water Outcomes of COP28 in the United Arab Emirates – providing an ideal platform for governments to commit to the Challenge. Thirty-eight countries seized the opportunity to join the challenge at a Ministerial event in Dubai, which was co-hosted by the COP28 Presidency. The Challenge has continued to build on the momentum generated in Dubai and, along with the European Union, there are now 50 country members of the Freshwater Challenge:

Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Chad, Chile, Colombia, DR Congo, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, France, Finland, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Moldova, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Republic of Congo, Senegal, Slovenia, Spain, Tajikistan, Tanzania, UAE, Uganda, UK, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Countries may join the FWC by making a commitment to establish quantifiable targets (in hectares and/or kilometres) by 2025 in their national plans to restore and conserve freshwater ecosystems, thereby contributing to the achievement of national and/or global commitments by 2030. Those targets can be incorporated into national and/or international plans, such as National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), Climate Action Pathway for Water, Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), Sustainable Development Plans, National Plans for Networks of Wetlands, among others.

To join, please contact Info@FreshwaterChallenge.org

Non-State Partners:

UN Water and FAO are ‘Global Supporting Partners’ of the Challenge. UNEP and FAO are the lead agencies for the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, which the FWC goals support. Global or national supporting partners are recognised as organisations supporting FWC implementation in member countries.

Additional non-state partners are welcome to join the FWC as supporting partners and will need to make a public commitment to align their organisation's strategy with the purpose of the FWC and make clear, voluntary commitments of resources and/or capacity to support the delivery of the FWC. On that basis, international non-state partners can express their interest in becoming a Global Supporting Partner of the FWC by contacting info@freshwaterchallenge.org. National non-state partners can apply to their national contact point through the same email: the FWC can help to identify this national contact point, once interest is expressed.

Private Sector:

Meeting the ambitious objectives of the FWC will require collective action. The private sector is encouraged to support the FWC and, as a minimum, set and/or align quantifiable voluntary commitments in line with the FWC objectives, not only in their own business operations, including their value chains and industry rountables, but also by supporting the implementation of relevant national plans, strategies and priorities. They are further encouraged to disclose progress and impacts based on the commitments and resources aligned to the FWC, in coordination with existing (private sector) mechanisms and other initiatives of FWC member countries.

Private sector actors are encouraged to not only develop and showcase best practices, but also promote and accelerate adoption of these best practices across their economic sectors. A more detailed description of what business support could entail is being developed as the “Business Supporter Programme”. The FWC plans to launch this programme in Q2 2025. But interested businesses are encouraged to already reach out to info@freshwaterchallenge.org to discuss their interest and scope of potential support.

SUPPORT TO MEMBERS

The main role of the Core and relevant Supporting partners of the Freshwater Challenge at both global and national levels is to leverage resources and capacities - including financial, technical, and policy - to support member countries to accelerate the implementation of their national targets.

The type of support will be decided and requested by each country based on needs and national circumstances. Support can also be provided at regional and basin levels, where resources allow.

Currently, there are four Working Groups through which the member countries are supported and the Challenge is further operationalized:

Policy Support and Advocacy
Private Sector Engagement
Resource Mobilisation
Technical Assistance and Knowledge Sharing

The FWC provides a platform for member countries to coordinate and collaborate in two areas to accelerate delivery of freshwater commitments.

Knowledge-sharing and capacity-building

Access to freshwater-related data, information and expertise is critical to (i) understand the social, economic, and environmental risks, and costs associated with the degradation of freshwater ecosystems as well as quantifying the benefits derived from healthy freshwater ecosystems; (ii) prevent disaster and build effective early-warning systems; (iii) develop carbon strategies for freshwater systems to ensure natural functioning for carbon storage and flows; and (iv) successfully identify measures and target funding.

Online Technical and Policy Content

Provided funding is available, an online compendium of content will be developed to provide member countries with access to best practice policy, scientific and technical advice and to highlight existing resources and platforms to support members’ efforts to:

Identify and prioritise the freshwater ecosystems within their territories to restore and conserve;
Identify effective techniques, technologies, and management and policy approaches for undertaking freshwater ecosystem restoration and conservation, including within existing and future protected and conserved areas;
Develop implementation plans and budgets for national budgeting and external funding proposals;
Develop, reform and implement policies and legislation that enable effective and sustained freshwater ecosystem conservation and restoration;
Monitor, evaluate and report on impact; and
Share case studies and lessons learned.

In line with the ‘lean and efficient’ principle, the FWC will avoid as much as possible any duplication of existing material or creation of new material, but rather link to other relevant content platforms and ensure interoperability with existing platforms.

Capacity Building coordination

An important function of the FWC is to coordinate peer learning and the sharing of case studies and lessons learned so as to promote best practices and develop the capacity of teams implementing measures in member countries. Funding permitting, this should be achieved in an efficient and effective manner through briefings, country reports, publications, webinars and online and in person meetings and workshops. Through regular meetings and discussions among member countries and partners, knowledge gaps will be identified, and opportunities explored to address these gaps and promote effective implementation.

Resource Mobilisation for Implementation

Resource mobilisation is key to achieving the goals of the FWC, including facilitating access to funding and promoting voluntary contributions. Resources can be mobilised through national budgets and coordinated across government sectors. Beyond national funding, (existing) external sources can also be identified and secured. The Challenge will help countries leverage resources through existing initiatives, programmes and funds. The private sector and developed country members are encouraged to play an active role in financing the FWC's implementation at the country level.

Resources permitting, Core and relevant Supporting Partners can provide technical and policy support and guidance (targeted financing strategies, financial mechanisms, partnerships etc.) to member countries to access funds and connect them to potential donors or accelerators, which can support the setting and achievement of FWC targets.

While funding for national implementation of restoration and conservation efforts ideally flows directly to members, some governments face challenges in receiving funds. In these cases, other trusted partners can act as intermediaries for managing funds and overseeing project implementation in-country.

Core and Supporting Partners will also aim to facilitate coordination and inclusivity, including alignment across multilateral agreements and frameworks; whole-of-government approach; whole-of-society contribution; and the inclusion of historically marginalized people and communities.