The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) is a policy institute whose diverse Stockholm-based, internationally-oriented programmes and activities contribute to finding sustainable solutions to the world’s escalating water crisis. SIWI manages projects, synthesises research and publishes findings and recommendations on current and future water, environment, governance and human development issues. SIWI serves as a platform for knowledge sharing and networking between the scientific, business, policy and civil society communities. SIWI builds professional capacity and understanding of the links between water-society-environment-economy.

In all of its work, SIWI advocates future-oriented, knowledge-integrated water views in decision making, nationally and internationally, that lead to sustainable use of the world’s water resources, sustainable development of societies and reduced poverty. SIWI stresses that water is a key to socio-economic development and quality of life, and that through Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), barriers which hinder increased food production, drinking water availability, sanitation coverage, health advances, pollution prevention and poverty reduction can be overcome.

By creating opportunities for dialogue and collaboration between water experts and decision makers, SIWI stimulates the development of innovative policies and scientifically based solutions to water-related problems. This is necessary in order to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals and the water-related targets which were agreed upon at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.

Internationally active, politically neutral, and intellectually objective, SIWI welcomes opportunities for collaboration with partners across the world.

PROGRAMME AREAS

Swedish Water House

The Swedish Water House, administered by SIWI, is a government-funded initiative that promotes network building among Sweden-based, internationally oriented academic institutions, consultants, government agencies, NGOs, research institutes and other stakeholders interested in sharing water knowledge and expertise amongst themselves and with the global community. Through the work of its cluster groups and network partners, the Swedish Water House is involved in a wide-array of activities to strengthen the links between research, policy, and practice and mobilise Swedish competencies for an increased involvement in international water issues.

Water Governance Facility

The UNDP Water Governance Facility at SIWI works to improve water governance reform and implementation. The programme, developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and funded by UNDP and Sida, provides policy support and advice to government agencies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders in developing countries to improve water governance and advance socially equitable, environmentally sustainable and economically efficient management of water resources. The facility operates in multiple thematic areas, including: integrated water resources management, transboundary water, water supply and sanitation, climate variability, gender, and capacity building.

Projects

SIWI Projects support clients needs in the area of multi-sector and multi-country water management and development. Through strategic advisory services, applied research, partnership, initiation and implementation of projects and programmes, SIWI supports decision-making processes relating to water and land.

They translate policy into action for real outcomes.

They focus on two key areas:

1. Applied research-based projects focusing on policy issues, follow-up and evaluation, utilising SIWI’s in-house competence and relevant network partners.

2. Advisory services and regional water intelligence that contribute to developing new thinking on international and national water issues, investment, applications and implementation.

All their activities support long-term capacity building of institutions and organisations in developing countries, and globally.

Their strategic partners include: the Swedish Government and its agencies, International Organisations, Research Institutes, Private sector companies and NGOs.

Capacity Building

The capacity of countries, institutions and individuals will determine the success of their efforts to achieve sustainable development and the Millennium Development Goals. A core part of SIWI’s mission is to build capacities for improved knowledge, networks and institutional processes for sustainable water resources management in developing countries. Through International Training Programmes in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Transboundary Water Management (TWM), the World Water Week in Stockholm, and a range of other activities, SIWI contributes to building capacity in the water sector.

In addition to the above Sida-funded, ongoing International Training Programmes; SIWI develops and implements basin or region specific programmes on request from other development partners. These include training for members of the Cunene and the Limpopo river basin commissions respectively, both funded by GTZ of Germany.

SIWI staff members are frequently invited to make presentations, give lectures or facilitate at various other water-related education and capacity-building events and programmes. These include as guest lecturers at universities such as Stockholm University and KTH.

Knowledge Application

The early Islamic philosopher Abu Bakr said, “Without knowledge action is useless and knowledge without action is futile.” As a policy institute with a strong footing in the scientific world, SIWI is adept at synthesising the latest research and understanding on different water-related subjects. SIWI also endeavours to identify and explore previously unexamined or under-researched aspects.

In and of itself, however, knowledge is not very useful. The application of knowledge – be it through professional participation by SIWI experts in international meetings, through contributions to other publications, or through media interviews – is where SIWI contributes to the development of effective policies which lead to sustainable use of the world’s water resources, sustainable development of societies and reduced poverty. In short, SIWI’s knowledge creation attempts to identify different opportunities to understand complex questions – and to do something about them.