The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will use a new US$ 3.2 million (EUR 2.5 million) grant package [1], the fifth in a series, to finance pilot projects; support sector reform; and build knowledge, awareness, cooperation, and coordination within and outside ADB. Most of the funds (US$ 3 million = EUR 2.3 million) for the package come from ADB's Cooperation Fund for the Water Sector. The remaining US$ 200,000 comes from ADB's own grant funding program which is earmarked for water related projects under an urban initiative for India’s Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

Activities of this regional technical assistance (RETA) project include the building of water partnerships, upgrading the skills of targeted agencies, producing and distributing information, further development of ADB's water web site and organising networking events to disseminate good practices and new approaches. Support will also be given for water initiatives by civil society organisations, and national and subregional water partnerships. Among the events to be supported are a Water Financing Program conference in September 2006.

[1] ADB (2006). Promoting Effective Water Management Policies and Practices – Phase 5. (Financed by the Cooperation Fund for the Water Sector). (Technical assistance report). PDF file (69 KB)

Related news: Asia: ADB to double investments in water in 2006-2010, Source Weekly, 7 April 2006

Contact: Robert Hood, Fund Manager, Cooperation Fund for the Water Sector, ADB, Philippines, rhood@adb.org ; Water for All, ADB, water@adb.org

Source: ADB, 28 Jul 2006

Tags: capacity development, information and communication