WatDev

🌍💧 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗗𝗘𝗩 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘅 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗴𝘆𝗽𝘁!

Following the successful Regional Training held in Ethiopia and as part of the fruitful collaboration between 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗗𝗘𝗩 and the 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗥𝗖𝗧𝗪𝗦), WATDEV reached another key milestone with a two-day 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗗𝗘𝗩 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘅 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 hosted at RCTWS in Cairo on 13–14 May 2026. 🌍💧

The training brought together water managers, researchers, and technical experts from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, the Netherlands, Finland and Italy who have been actively contributed to WATDEV activities throughout the past years. Moreover, a delegation of officials from relevant Egyptian ministries involved in the project, attended this training to foster collaboration, maximize and capitalise synergies among these two valuable projects supporting sustainable water management in Egypt

Professionals attending this training, gained hands-on experience using the WATDEV Modelling Toolbox to:

✅ Visualize model results for Best Management Practices (BMPs)
✅ Design new water and agricultural management scenarios
✅ Assess environmental, economic, and social impacts
✅ Conduct Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) to support evidence-based decisions

The training featured real-world case studies from Sharqia Governorate in Egypt and Gezira in Sudan, demonstrating how the toolbox can support data-driven decisions for sustainable water and agricultural management.

The training concluded with a memorable dinner cruise on the Nile River, offering participants a wonderful opportunity to connect, exchange experiences, and celebrate the success of the event while enjoying the unique atmosphere and vibrant spirit of Egypt. 🇪🇬✨

A heartfelt thank you to the مركز التدريب الإقليمي للموارد المائية والري(RCTWS) for hosting this training and their invaluable support and outstanding collaboration in making this event a success.

🤝 Funded by The European Union under the DeSIRA Initiative and Organised through the collaborative efforts of Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development, ISRIC - World Soil Information, Suomen ympäristökeskus - Syke, CIHEAMBari, ASARECA and Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo - Ufficio Cairo

Together, we are empowering water managers and decision-makers with innovative tools to build more resilient and sustainable food and agriculture systems. 🌱🌾

🌍💧 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗗𝗘𝗩 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘅 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗮!

From 5-6 May 2026, WATDEV achieved another crucial target, by successfully holding the 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘅 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 in Addis Ababa. This training brought together experts and practitioners from Ethiopia and Kenya to dive into this innovative tool for planning sustainable agriculture and water use.💫

On 7 May 2026, an advanced 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗗𝗘𝗩 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘅 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 was also conducted for modelling experts from Ethiopia and Sudan.

Through both trainings, participants gained hands-on experience with the WATDEV Toolbox and integrated model, learning to:
�✅ Visualize model results for Best Management Practices (BMP)
✅ Design and assess new BMP scenarios
✅ Perform a Multi-Criteria Analysis.
✅ Support data-driven decision-making for resilient food systems

Through interactive sessions, real case studies, and collaborative exercises, the training empowered stakeholders to tackle water scarcity and climate challenges across the region.

🤝 Funded by The European Union under the DeSIRA Initiative and organised through the collaborative efforts of Water and Land resource Center - WLRC Ethiopia, ISRIC - World Soil Information, Suomen ympäristökeskus - Syke, CIHEAMBari, ASARECA, KALRO and Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo - Ufficio Cairo

A step forward toward sustainable development and smarter water management! 💦🌿

🌱 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗗𝗘𝗩 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗕𝗠𝗣𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗴𝘆𝗽𝘁

Following the successful trainings in Ethiopia and Kenya, on 29–30 March 2026, WATDEV held its final regional training on 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 (𝗕𝗠𝗣𝘀) & 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 at SEKEM Farm in Egypt, bringing together farmers, experts, and stakeholders to promote sustainable water and soil management practices. 💦

Through hands-on demonstrations and peer-to-peer exchange, participants explored practical solutions like composting, efficient irrigation, and intercropping systems that improve soil health, optimize water use, and increase income.

The impact goes beyond the training itself, farmers left with stronger skills, practical tools, and a clear commitment to apply climate-smart practices in their own fields.

By engaging farmers beyond the initial project areas, WATDEV continues to scale impact, strengthen local knowledge, and support resilient farming systems.🌾

This is how sustainable agriculture scales: through collaboration, innovation, and empowered communities.

Funded by the European Union under the DeSIRA Initiative and organized by WATDEV local partner Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development in close collaboration with CIHEAMBari, ASARECA and Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo - Ufficio Cairo.

🤝 Together, we are building more sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.

🔗 learn more: https://www.watdev.eu/post/heliopolis-university-organized-climate-smart-bmps-training-session-in-wider-areas-in-egypt

🌍 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗗𝗘𝗩 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗕𝗠𝗣𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆, 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮

On 26-27 March 2026, WATDEV successfully delivered a two-day training on 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 (𝗕𝗠𝗣𝘀) & 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 in Tana River County, bringing together farmers, experts, and key partners aiming at expanding climate-smart agricultural practices beyond initial study areas.

🌱 The training tackled pressing climate challenges, droughts, floods, and soil degradation, by equipping participants with practical solutions to improve soil health, optimize water use, and strengthen farm resilience.

🚜 From interactive discussions on BMPs to hands-on field visits at Laza Irrigation Scheme, farmers engaged directly with experts to explore real-world applications and innovations.

💡 By combining scientific knowledge with local experience, WATDEV is empowering communities to adopt sustainable practices and unlock the agricultural potential of Tana River County.

Funded by the European Union under the DeSIRA Initiative and organized by WATDEV local partner KALRO in close collaboration with CIHEAMBari, ASARECA and Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo - Ufficio Cairo.

🔗 learn more: https://www.watdev.eu/post/watdev-promotes-climate-smart-bmps-training-in-tana-river-county-kenya

🌍✨ 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗗𝗘𝗩 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗕𝗠𝗣𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁.

On 23–24 March 2026 in Arba Minch, WATDEV kicked off its first training on 𝗕𝗠𝗣𝘀 & 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 to expand climate-smart agricultural practices beyond initial study areas.

Bringing together farmers, experts & local stakeholders, the training combined 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀-𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 & 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘀, from composting and agroforestry to solar-powered irrigation and smart monitoring tools. 🌱💧

💡 Farmers expressed a strong interest in adopting innovative, climate-smart solutions despite existing challenges.

🤝Organized by WATDEV local partner Water and Land resource Center - WLRC Ethiopia in close collaboration with CIHEAMBari, ASARECA and Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo - Ufficio Cairo

🔗 Learn more: https://www.watdev.eu/post/dissemination-of-climate-smart-bmps-in-wider-communities-in-ethiopia

📍 Next stops: Kenya & Egypt! Stay tuned for more updates.

🌍✨ 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗗𝗘𝗩 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀!

Building on successful local engagement and validation of Best Management Practices (BMPs), the next phase of WATDEV is bringing 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀-𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 to new areas, empowering farmers, innovators, and local stakeholders with practical, climate-smart solutions.

📍 𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗠𝗣𝘀 & 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 (𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀):

🇪🇹 | 23–24 March 2026
🇰🇪 | 26–27 March 2026
🇪🇬 | 29–30 March 2026

💦These trainings aim to 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, supporting the adoption, adaptation, and scaling of sustainable agricultural water management practices beyond the initial study areas. There will be a strong focus on 𝗰𝗼-𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲-𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗠𝗣 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁𝘀, ensuring they are practical, relevant, and impactful for each community.

🤝 With ASARECA, CIHEAMBari, Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo - Ufficio Cairo and WATDEV local partners Water and Land resource Center - WLRC Ethiopia, KALRO, Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development

🌱 Together, we are strengthening resilience, improving sustainability, and supporting communities to face climate challenges with innovative solutions.

💫 Stay tuned for updates, highlights, and insights from each training!

🎓🌍 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗗𝗘𝗩 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘅 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗱!

Held on 𝟰–𝟲 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 in 𝗪𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗻, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀, the training brought together researchers and technical experts from , , , , , , and , for an intensive, hands-on programme on the 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗗𝗘𝗩 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘅.

🎯 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗱 to strengthen participants’ capacity to use the 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗗𝗘𝗩 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘅 as a 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹 for climate-smart water management and sustainable agriculture.

Through a combination of 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀, 𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 and 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀-𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲, participants:
✅ Explored how use the 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗗𝗘𝗩 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘅 to visualise model results and preform 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗲𝘀 (𝗠𝗖𝗔)
✅ Learnt how to design and assess the performance of the 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 (𝗕𝗠𝗣𝘀)
✅ Engaged with 𝗰𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴-𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 projects on water and irrigated agriculture

The training was delivered by experts from ISRIC - WoISRIC - World Soil InformationriCIHEAMBariningenWageningen University & Research active participation of Agenzia ItAgenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo - Ufficio Cairoative.

Funded by the 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 under the 𝗗𝗲𝗦𝗜𝗥𝗔 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, WATDEV project reaffirms its commitment to turning science into practical solutions for 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮.

🔗 Read more: https://www.watdev.eu/post/watdev-toolbox-1st-regional-training-for-modellers-successfully-held-in-wageningen

🎓🌍 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗱 | 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

The 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 on “𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀, 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀” has successfully concluded in 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗜𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘆 (𝟮𝟭–𝟮𝟯 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲). 💫

💡 Through a 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 approach, the course promoted knowledge transfer across three intensive modules:
🔹 Advanced phenotyping platforms and AI-driven analytics
🔹 Field instrumentation and data collection for precision agriculture
🔹 Statistical modelling and the safe reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation

Organized by CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche in collaboration with CIHEAMBari within the framework of the 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗗𝗘𝗩 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁, the course brought together researchers, PhD students, technologists, and professionals from , , , , and , with additional international participation online. 🌱

💦 The training concluded with a 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 to the Ferrandina wastewater treatment plant and a 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 on the 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗶 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮, reinforcing dialogue between science and policy and opening new opportunities for international cooperation.

✨ By empowering participants to replicate and scale innovative solutions in their home institutions and communities, the course contributes to long-term capacity building, sustainable water management, and enhanced food security across WATDEV partner countries.