Enhancing and Sustaining the Water-Energy-Food-Environment (WEFE) Nexus Governance in Jordan

Jordan is among the most water-scarce countries globally, with per capita availability significantly below the international water poverty threshold. The strain on its already limited water resources continues to intensify, driven by the impacts of climate change and the growing demand associated with rapid population growth and urbanization. Decades of groundwater overexploitation have further exacerbated the situation, raising serious concerns about the long-term sustainability of the country"s water resources. The long-term planning of water-sector institutions does not fully address the challenges related to enduring resource availability. Moreover, changing water demands further complicate the optimal allocation of resources. At the same time, water utilities responsible for water distribution and wastewater treatment are struggling to sustain their service delivery levels and ensure the continuity of operations. Consequently, the development of sustainable and innovative water management strategies is essential to safeguard the well-being of both current and future generations. The "Water Sector Governance" project focuses on promoting the implementation of good governance principles, with the aim of strengthening advanced water governance and enhancing public trust in the Jordanian water sector. The project supports Jordan"s water sector institutions in applying the principles of good governance. By identifying the optimal use of available resources, it addresses immediate challenges while paveing the way for sustainable, long-term solutions. Emphasizing collaboration across agencies, the initiative aims to foster a governance environment that promotes informed decision-making and responsible resource allocation. Through these efforts, the project contributes to enhancing the overall resilience and development of Jordan"s water sector. The project includes five major fields of action: 1. Implementation of Jordan"s National Water Strategy: supporting the institutionalisation and digitalisation of the National Water Master Plan (NWMP), as well as improving the exchange of information between the public and water sector institutions. This component also strengthens human resources management by optimising HR processes and promoting gender-inclusive leadership development. Additionally, it focuses on improving the security of IT and data systems of water sector institutions, advancing the digitalisation of the sector, and expanding the national Geographic Information System (GIS). 2. Strengthening Regulation: Supporting the foundation for the establishment of an autonomous regulatory body for the water sector and enhancing its monitoring role for water utilities. 3. Strengthening Bulk Water Management: establishing a new operational structure and a digital tool for bulk water planning, allocation and management for a better response to climate change. 4. Enhancing the WFEE Nexus governance: strengthening and advancing the Water-Energy-Food-Environment Nexus governance to enhance planning and policy coherence. This component focuses on promoting integrated and effective resource management, enhancing cross-sectoral collaboration and implementing innovative solutions to sustain Jordan"s resources and address environmental challenges. 5. Strengthening Sector"s capacities to mobilise Climate Finance: supporting the water sector in mobilising financial resources from international multilateral climate funds, developing facilitation mechanisms and building the capacity of local institutions to access, manage and utilise climate finance effectively. This component also aims to strengthen the capacities of the private sector in project preparation, finance leveraging and implementation to foster climate-responsive investments.