The SPLASH ERA-Net: towards better water policies: how can increasing the uptake of research findings help?

The aims of this presentation are two-fold. Firstly, to introduce the SPLASH ERA-Net project, and secondly, to present the findings of an ongoing consultation (including the findings of an electronic conference) relating to the links between research findings and policy development. SPLASH is the name of the European Union Water Initiative European Research Area Network (EUWI ERA-Net). It is a consortium of 15 ministries, funding agencies and national research and technological development authorities from 11 European countries. SPLASH aims to improve the effectiveness of European-funded research on water for development and to develop the capacity of local organizations to coordinate and communicate their research activities. The project focus is Africa and the Mekong region. One of the key focus areas of SPLASH is the effective transfer of research knowledge into policy and practice, as it is assumed that when knowledge resulting from research is made available to decision and policy makers and is incorporated into decision making processes, then better policies are developed and better decisions are made. The project has reviewed the influence of research on water for development on government strategies in the EU Member States. To develop understanding further, SPLASH conducted an e-conference on the subject of: Towards better water policies: how can increasing the uptake of research findings help? The aim of the e-conference was to explore the linkages between research findings and the development of water sector policy through consulting widely with those who have relevant experience and views. The key findings of this e-conference inform the focus of a series of consultations currently being carried out in East and West Africa and the Mekong. The results of these consultation activities to date are presented. It is intended to carry out more key informant interviews during the GLOWA International Conference.