Rwanda: strengthening local water governance
FAO implemented the project KnoWat – Knowing Water Better from 2018 to 2022, with support from the Government of Germany. As a predecessor to ScaleWat, KnoWat worked to strengthen water governance and improve water resources management in Rwanda, Senegal and Sri Lanka. Through water accounting, water tenure assessments, geospatial analysis and stakeholder engagement, the project helped governments, local communities and water users better understand how water is accessed, allocated and managed in contexts of increasing scarcity and climate pressure.
In Rwanda, KnoWat focused on the Yanze catchment, where water resources are essential for domestic use, agriculture and local livelihoods. The project worked with national institutions and local partners to better understand water availability and competing water demands, while supporting communities in developing practical solutions to address water scarcity.
Key results
- Assessed water resources and water allocation scenarios to support more equitable distribution of water among users.
- Assessed water tenure for food security, equity and climate adaptation.
- Established a geospatial database
- Improved local knowledge of water availability and use within the catchment.
- Strengthened collaboration between communities, local authorities and water management institutions.
- Built capacities for sustainable water management and climate adaptation.
Story from the field
The Yanze catchment supports more than 68 000 people, many of whom depend on small-scale vegetable farming. Working together with the local organization APEFA between 2019 and 2022, KnoWat helped communities identify water management solutions that could reduce water scarcity and improve resilience. The initiative demonstrated how local knowledge, community participation and better water information can contribute to more sustainable resource management. Read more about the project results in Rwanda in this factsheet.
