The GEF Drin Project

The action for the implementation of the Drin MoU, in line with the content, aims and objectives of the Drin Action Plan, led to the involvement of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) facilitating financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for the next four years.

This synergy was transformed into the Full Size Project “Enabling Transboundary Cooperation and Integrated Water Resources Management in the extended Drin River Basin” and the Medium Size Project “Enabling Transboundary Cooperation and Integrated Water Resources Management in the White Drin and the extended Drin Basin”[1].  

The objective of the Project is to:

“Promote joint management of the shared water resources of the transboundary Drin River Basin, including coordination mechanisms among the various sub-basin joint commissions and committees”.

Officially launched in December 2015, the Project came at a critical point, as the vehicle to financially support and facilitate:

• The operationalization of the institutional structure of the Drin CORDA, rendering it capable of undertaking a coordinating, executive role that aims towards a structured cooperation among the Drin Riparians.
• The enhancement of scientific knowledge in the Basin for informed decision-making concerning transboundary management.
• A set of commonly agreed measures towards the sustainable management and sustainable development of the Basin.
• The systematic involvement of users, civil society and other stakeholders in the implementation of the aforementioned.