Knowing water better: towards fairer and more sustainable access to natural resources - KnoWat

Publications and working documents

KnoWat project results and activities Rwanda, Senegal and Sri Lanka

This short publication summarizes the key accomplishments of the project, which was implemented by FAO in close cooperation with partners at global, country and local levels, and funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture of Germany (BMEL).


Water tenure assessment guide

This guide was produced in the framework of the KnoWat project. A water tenure assessment seeks to identify and compare the different types of water tenure arrangement that exist within a given geographical area and to assess how people access and use water resources. Such an assessment can provide key elements for inclusion in strategies to attain sustainable development goals, and put into practice the 2030 Agenda principle of “Leave no one behind”. 

This guide is a working document which will be field tested in Rwanda, Senegal and Sri Lanka in 2021 before the final publication.  

If you wish to receive a copy of the guide, please contact us at [email protected].


Unpacking water tenure for improved food security and sustainable development

This paper contains the Policy Brief on water tenure and the Expert Roundtable summary report on water tenure, which took place in December 2019.


Water accounting and auditing - A sourcebook  

This publication provides advice on the application and use of water accounting and auditing. It helps users planning and implementing processes most appropriate for their capacity and needs. 


Exploring the concept of water tenure

This paper provides a "preliminary typology" for water tenure. 


Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure

This publication provides guidelines to improve the governance of tenure of land, fisheries and forests. 


Coping with water scarcity - An action framework for food and agriculture

This publication presents a conceptual framework to address food security in a context of water scarcity.

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