From online meetings to gaining on-the-ground knowledge<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nEarly in April, the combined CoPs held a three-day working session in Tete, focusing mostly on the practical realities of water conservation infrastructure in Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sessions were dominated by the experiences of ISPS in building sand dams and the \u201c10,000 Small Dams\u201d initiative of the Mozambican government, which is being implemented by the three ARAs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The CoPs brainstormed strategies to standardise the development of these small dams and reservoirs, emphasising that these structures cannot be built in isolation. Previous construction projects have shown that strong local community involvement, particularly from women, is important at every stage - from site selection to maintenance. This ensures that these structures meet real needs and have a long lifespan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tasks such as creating a centralised database of small dams, developing construction manuals, and organizing training programmes for the local committees responsible for maintaining these structures, among other things, were established as priorities by the CoPs at the end of this meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This collaborative work, alongside previous dike management and water conservation actions under the Blue Deal partnership in Mozambique, culminated in members of the CoPs visiting the Netherlands in June to learn more about water management in practical terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/bluedeal.co.mz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_20250408_160420-1024x768.jpg\")
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Learning from Dutch Water Experts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIn June, a delegation of Mozambican water professionals visited the Netherlands. The aim of the visit was to learn how a country that is known for laying below sea level manages its flood defences and water retention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The visit was an eye-opener regarding dike management. The Mozambican team was particularly impressed by the Dutch institutional model. They found out that, unlike in Mozambique, where maintenance is sometimes outsourced or non-existent, the Dutch Water Authorities <\/a> often have dedicated in-house units with their own equipment and personnel. Furthermore, the concept of \u201cbeneficiary contribution\u201d, whereby all residents pay a tax specifically for dike maintenance, sparked discussions on how similar financial mechanisms could be adapted in Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFrom a technical perspective, the delegation visited the renowned Dutch sea dikes, where the use of specific vegetation and sheep grazing as a cost-effective, nature-based solution for maintaining grass cover on the slopes, was particularly impressive. The team also received training in using drones for cross-sectional profiling and volume calculations. This is an essential skill for modernising the way Mozambique monitors its dikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Learning from Dutch Water Experts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIn June, a delegation of Mozambican water professionals visited the Netherlands. The aim of the visit was to learn how a country that is known for laying below sea level manages its flood defences and water retention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The visit was an eye-opener regarding dike management. The Mozambican team was particularly impressed by the Dutch institutional model. They found out that, unlike in Mozambique, where maintenance is sometimes outsourced or non-existent, the Dutch Water Authorities <\/a> often have dedicated in-house units with their own equipment and personnel. Furthermore, the concept of \u201cbeneficiary contribution\u201d, whereby all residents pay a tax specifically for dike maintenance, sparked discussions on how similar financial mechanisms could be adapted in Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFrom a technical perspective, the delegation visited the renowned Dutch sea dikes, where the use of specific vegetation and sheep grazing as a cost-effective, nature-based solution for maintaining grass cover on the slopes, was particularly impressive. The team also received training in using drones for cross-sectional profiling and volume calculations. This is an essential skill for modernising the way Mozambique monitors its dikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From a technical perspective, the delegation visited the renowned Dutch sea dikes, where the use of specific vegetation and sheep grazing as a cost-effective, nature-based solution for maintaining grass cover on the slopes, was particularly impressive. The team also received training in using drones for cross-sectional profiling and volume calculations. This is an essential skill for modernising the way Mozambique monitors its dikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/bluedeal.co.mz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-06-17-at-12.54.35-PM-1024x768.jpeg\")
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<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/bluedeal.co.mz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Drone-training-1024x768.jpg\")
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