Advancing integrated water management: Mauritanian delegation visits the Netherlands 

Following an earlier visit to Mauritania, World Water Academy recently welcomed a delegation to the Netherlands for the next phase of the programme. The delegation included participants from the Ministry of Hydraulics and Sanitation, SNDE, ONSER and OMVS. Led by Caroline Rouppe van der Voort, the five-day training focused on strengthening both knowledge and practical insights into integrated water management. 

From local context to practical insights

The programme, part of the MENA Scholarship – Shiraka Programme managed by Nuffic and financed by de Ministery of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands , addressed key challenges faced in Mauritania, including water scarcity, infrastructure development, climate change, and governance. Building on local context and learning needs identified during the previous phase in Mauritania, the visit to the Netherlands aimed to connect theory with practice.

Exploring the Dutch approach

Throughout the week, World Water Academy facilitated a combination of training sessions and field visits. Topics such as integrated water resources management, governance, financing, and data-driven approaches were central to the programme. By bringing together expertise from different organisations, participants were introduced to the Dutch approach as a system in which technical, institutional and financial aspects are closely connected.

Linking theory to practice

Field visits played an important role in making this approach tangible. At Kinderdijk, participants visited a pumping station and learned how regional water authorities manage water levels. A visit to drinking water company Dunea provided insight into the production of drinking water through dune infiltration.
Another key visit took place in Nijmegen, where the focus was on climate adaptation in an urban setting. Participants explored how landscape development, water management and spatial planning interact over time. Solutions such as infiltrations, wells and wadi systems demonstrated how rainwater can be captured and infiltrated locally, illustrating practical approaches to dealing with the impacts of climate change.

Reflecting on differences and challenges

Throughout the programme, participants reflected on the differences between the Dutch system and the situation in Mauritania. In particular, the role of regional water authorities and the organisation of drinking water companies prompted many questions. The programme also covered wastewater treatment and water reuse, providing a broad perspective on integrated approaches.

Financing water management

An important point of attention was the financing of water management. In the Netherlands, specific taxes are used to fund water-related tasks, allowing for targeted investments. For the participants from Mauritania, this highlighted possible directions for strengthening financial structures in their own context.

“What we find particularly interesting is how water management is financed in the Netherlands. Having a dedicated budget specifically for water gives clarity. This is something we would like to work towards in Mauritania.”

Looking ahead and next steps

The long history of water management in the Netherlands offered additional perspective. For a country like Mauritania, where systems such as sewer infrastructure are still developing, understanding how solutions have evolved over time provides valuable guidance.

The programme concluded at the World Water Academy in Nieuwegein, where participants reflected on the lessons learned and discussed next steps. This closing session marked not only the end of the training week, but also  created a foundation for potential future collaboration between Mauritania and the Netherlands on sustainable water management.