The E-WMSA Project Analyses Training Needs of organisations involved in watershed management in the Yom-Nan River Basin

- The E-WMSA project, a collaboration between the Royal Irrigation Department, UNDP, and GIZ, recently organised a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) workshop.
- More than 44 participants representing various relevant stakeholders attended the workshop to emphasise the importance of integrating Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) measures into water resource management in the Yom-Nan River Basin.
- The outcomes of the TNA workshop are being utilised as the guidelines for designing future training programmes to enhance the capacity development needs of relevant stakeholders.
Thailand has been categorised as a “high-risk” country, which is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts within the next 30 years. It is increasingly prone to encountering more frequent and intense droughts and floods, causing adverse effects on agriculture. Consequently, in the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the year 2018, managing and responding to drought and severe floods were designated as urgent national priorities to support water management and increase resilience to natural disasters. In pursuit of this goal, the Enhancing Climate Resilience in Thailand through Effective Water Management and Sustainable Agriculture: E-WMSA project was established. This initiative is implemented through the collaboration of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC).
To achieve the project’s objectives, it is crucial to build the capacity of stakeholders involved in the Yom-Nan basin. GIZ and the Department of Irrigation therefore organised a Training Need Analysis (TNA) Workshop on 11 – 12 July 2023 in Phitsanulok.


The workshop attracted participants from diverse backgrounds, including representatives from the National and Provincial Levels of the RID, the River Basin Committee, local authorities, academic institutions, non-governmental organisations, the National and Regional Levels of the Department of Water Resources, as well as local offices within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
Chonlathep Thatree, Director of Irrigation Office 3, RID, stated: “Water management that solely relies on grey infrastructure might prove inadequate to tackle future challenges. Therefore, the E-WMSA project aims to pioneer the improvement of water resource management approaches in the Yom and Nan River basins by integrating ecosystem or green infrastructure with grey infrastructure. This will prepare us to better manage the impacts of severe floods and droughts that may arise. The project’s success depends on the collective support and collaboration of all relevant sectors. Hence, this meeting serves as a crucial starting point for fostering strong cooperation through knowledge exchange and reflecting on the potential and needs of involved agencies in designing effective capacity development and training programmes.”

The two-day workshop created a conducive learning atmosphere and offered participants opportunities for active engagement through various activities covering different topics. The workshop featured presentations on the current situation and future trends in policies, directions, plans, and strategies geared toward the effective enhancement of water resource management to increase resilience against the impacts of climate change utilising Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA). Additionally, the presentations also encompassed an overview of the project’s vision, strategy, and operational framework, with a focus on the outcomes relevant to the activities in this session.
In addition, subgroup activities were conducted to encourage exchanges of ideas among participants on various issues. These included an “envisioning dream project” where participants outlined what would happen within three years following the implementation of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) measures. Moreover, a subgroup exercise focused on analysing the project’s potential gaps and identifying areas requiring enhancement to ensure the successful implementation of the plan.


Throughout the two-day workshop, participants gained a shared understanding of various key aspects, including:
- Recognising the current status of efficient water resource management and how to increase resilience to climate change impacts through implementation of EbA measures to complement grey infrastructure.
- Establishing linkages between the ideas presented for water resource management improvements and ongoing basin-level activities, understanding the overall scope of the project and the roles and support of each sector.
- Providing opportunities for participants to reflect on perspectives and opinions concerning capacity development and training for personnel and organisations involved to ensure efficiency and effectiveness aligned with the project’s goals and support plans.
- Promoting inclusiveness in project implementation by ensuring the early-stage involvement and agreement of all relevant sectors.
The outcomes of this workshop will serve as guidelines for designing training plans tailored to the needs of stakeholders, thereby guaranteeing efficiency and effectiveness in achieving project goals.

Dr. Nana Kuenkel
Project Director of E-WMSA
Email:Nana.kuenkel(at)giz.de