Improving Groundwater Governance and Sustainability of Related Ecosystems

 

Background

The Dinaric Karst Aquifer System (DIKTAS)-II project draws inspiration from the results of the GEF project “Groundwater Governance” and intends to set up the basis of sound groundwater governance in the Dinaric Karst region.

This approach and vision adhere to the conclusions reached by the countries sharing the DIKTAS that are enshrined in the Strategic Action Program for the DIKTAS prepared by the countries and recently endorsed at ministerial level.

Objective

The project’s objective is to catalyze effective multi-country cooperation for the sustainable management of the Dinaric Karst Aquifer System and its ecological resources by strengthening national and regional groundwater governance frameworks and institutional capacity.

Major Achievements

  • Adoption of sound groundwater governance principles and frameworks, including emphasis on sanitary protection zones harmonized across the Dinaric Karst Aquifer System, facilitated through the application of the methodology developed by the Groundwater Governance GEF project.
  • Modern multi-purpose monitoring of karst groundwater enables responsible entities at local and at regional level to effectively manage the shared karstic waters and dependent ecosystems.
  • Agreement on real-time harmonized data sharing enables effective transboundary cooperation.
  • Definition of national and/or binational Action Programmes and of DIKTAS-wide guidelines for reversing degradation trends in highly vulnerable areas accelerates remedial actions.
  • Increased awareness at all levels, dissemination of project’s achievements and lessons learned, and strengthened gender equality and women empowerment, replication of good practices and policies.

Adoption of sound groundwater

governance principles and frameworks, including emphasis on sanitary protection zones harmonized across the Dinaric Karst Aquifer System.

Agreement on real-time harmonized

data sharing enables effective transboundary cooperation.

Increased awareness

at all levels, dissemination of project’s achievements and lessons learned, and strengthened gender equality and women empowerment, replication of good practices and policies.