RiverWatch
RiverWatch is UNESCO IHP’s initiative on citizen science in hydrology, designed as a broad framework for participatory engagement, education, and capacity-building around water-related challenges. It provides a systemic approach that empowers individuals and communities to observe, record, study and share hydrological information. By integrating local knowledge and observations into science-policy processes, RiverWatch fosters climate resilience, environmental stewardship, and inclusive water governance.
Aim
- Engage citizens and communities in
the co-production of water-related knowledge and data.
- Enhance the scientific
understanding of hydrological processes in underserved, remote or vulnerable
regions.
- Strengthen resilience and
adaptation strategies by supporting locally relevant data collection
- Bridge the gap between formal science and indigenous and local knowledge in water management, climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
- Build capacity for better water management, biodiversity conservation and climate action across regions most affected by climate impacts.
- Build institutional
and community capacity for data collection, use, quality control and
decision-making
Participation & Audience
How to participate
RiverWatch is an open access programme, proving tools and support to interested partners, researcher and community-led initiatives to initiate freshwater-related citizen science initiatives tailored to the local needs to address their water challenges. Inquiries for participation can be made to ihp-wins@unesco.org.
About funding
Funding bodies: UNESCO Flanders Japan Austria
Funding program: Flanders UNESCO Trust Fund (FUST)
Coordinator
