EUROPEAN COMMISSION

EuropeAid Co-operation Office

Latin America
Centralised operations

RALCEA: Latin American Network of Knowledge Centres in the Water Sector

1. CONTEXT

In Latin America there are a number of knowledge institutions which have a high level of technical
and scientific expertise, as well as a long experience in the water sector. These institutions have
traditionally worked independently, isolated from each other, and without a direct link to the policy
level. This project aims at improving the water management governance, first of all by developing
capacities at technical level in order to impact the sector decision making at the political level. In
addition, capacity development in the water sector in Latin America is expected to contribute to a
sustainable management of water resources and to obtain information-based policies, in line with the
objectives of the EU Water Initiative in the region. Its funding is therefore additional to that earmarked
for Latin America under the DCI instrument.

RALCEA project was identified within the framework of a Pilot Budget Line for innovative actions in
Water Resources Management towards international cooperation proposed by the European
Parliament, and it is part of the Thematic Programme for Environment and Sustainable Management
of Natural Resources including Energy – Water Management in Developing Countries in favour of
Latin American Region.

2. KEY INFORMATION

• On the 18th of December 2009, the European Commission approved the Decision (021-910).
• The project, which was set for a 4 years period starting in mid-2010, is being implemented in the
Latin American Region.
• It has a total budget of € 2.5 million, of which € 2.25 million will be granted by the European
Commission.
• The direct beneficiaries are represented:
o at scientific/technical level by the Knowledge Centres;
o at policy-making level, i. e., by practitioners, as well as officials and decision makers
at governmental level, basin agencies, etc...
The indirect beneficiary is the population of the LA countries as a whole, which would benefit from an
increased coordination and capacity in the water sector.

3. OBJECTIVE

The specific objective of the Project is to foster information based policy and to promote south-south
cooperation on capacity development in the water sector by supporting the development of a network
of knowledge centres.

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4. EXPECTED RESULTS

The RALCEA Project will support the establishment of a network of knowledge centres in the water
sector. To this end, a plan of activities to improve coordination of knowledge centres research work
and to reinforce such coordination towards the support to the policy decision level will be
implemented. Complementarily, a common strategic plan in capacity development will be settled.
Emphasis will be put in governance technical training addressed to scientific and technical staff as
well as technical training addressed to policy-makers, in order to reinforce mutual understanding.
Therefore, the development of capacities in the water sector in Latin America is expected to contribute
to a sustainable management of water resources and to obtain information-based policies, in line with
the objectives of the EU Water Initiative in the region.

5. IMPLEMENTATION

- During the first semester of 2010, prior to the start of the operational period in mid-2010, a
mobilisation phase (contractual and coordination arrangements) took place.

- In August 2010, an Administrative Arrangement was signed by DG AIDCO and DG JRC – IES.DG
JRC (Institute of Environment and Sustainability, Unit H3), which is for the most part responsible
for the implementation of the project.
Since capacity development (technology oriented) is one of its fundamental assets, the DG JRC
plays an important role in terms of knowledge management, technological support and technology
transfer, also through other parallel actions in this sector (e. g., the EurocLIMA Initiative in Latin
America, AquaKnow and the African Centres of Excellence).

- Each LA country is designating a focal point within public Institutions related to the water sector.

- A launching event of the project will be held in Quito, on the 28th and 30th of October. Focal points,
existent regional and sub-regional networks, research centres of the EUrocLIMA-water working
group, International Organisations working in the sector as well as EU representatives will
participate to this meeting, organised by DG JRC on project's funds.

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