IWRM Toolbox

An Important Resource for Water Resources Community: The IWRM Toolbox

The integrated water resources management (IWRM) Tool Box, which was launched at the Bonn Conference on Freshwater in December 2001, draws together a wealth of experience and expertise in IWRM in a practical, user-friendly product. The Tool Box contains a wide variety of options related to three fundamental elements of IWRM, the enabling environment, institutional roles, and management instruments. To complement this information, case studies on IWRM practices from real life experiences provided by GAP partners and others are included. Brief notes providing analysis of the actions taken and the lessons learned accompany each case study. References, links, and resource persons to contact for further information and advice are also listed in the Tool Box.

The Tool Box is divided into two main sections: Policy Guidance and Operational Tools. The Policy Guidance section focuses on the issues faced by policy makers at the national, regional, or local level. In the section on Operational Tools, users can access information on a range of options for putting IWRM into practice, the lessons learned from practical experience and case studies that provide information on the value of the tools that have been applied in the field. The Tool Box will continue to grow as users gain experience with it and start providing feedback on the success or failure of a particular set of actions in a given situation. For details on the IWRM Tool Box please visit http://www.gwpforum.org