Cap-Net UNDP is an international global network with a mission to strengthen capacity development in sustainable water management at local level. A global programme under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), its objective is to support capacity development in a growing process of water sector reforms towards the sustainable management of water in the broad context of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).

In 2016-2030 Cap-Net’s will expand and extend its capacity development in sustainable water management. Cap-Net UNDP’s strategic direction is themed “Water Knowledge for All: Empowering Individuals, Enabling Environments”. It focuses on sustainable water management concepts and principles, advances in information technology and innovation addressing implementation and monitoring processes. Cap-Net UNDP has identified three strategic goals for 2016-2030: • Capacity Development: To develop capacity of institutions and individuals to manage, and use water and coastal zone resources sustainably, and to adapt to increasing climate variability within a context that addresses, human rights, gender, diplomacy, leadership and integrity.• Strengthening partnerships: To improve water management practices by using effective networks of capacity developers to impact on the ground, and by developing partnerships with international agencies and private sector organisations to improve their outreach and collaboration on capacity developing• Knowledge management: To develop and implement knowledge management systems in response (innovative capacity development taking advantage of advances in IT), that ensure access to the best of international and local knowledge for all, measuring the effectiveness of capacity development services, and reviewing indicators and monitoring systems.

At the core of improved water governance and attainment of the SDGs (means of implementation) lies the need for capacity development at individual and institutional levels. The concept of transformation is central to Cap-Net UNDP activities. Capacity development must bring about transformation that is generated and sustained over time from within countries and regions. The global network as an “agent of change” will contribute towards this transformation.Cap-Net UNDP capacity development approach reflects the essence of SDG 17, i.e., use of national, regional and global partnerships for developing a knowledge base, and effective capacity development, including through North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation. To date some 20 special programmes (published material in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish, also translated into several other languages) have been developed with partner organisations and networks on various aspects of sustainable water management, ranging from sustainable water and sanitation to climate change adaptation, and more are being planned in the future in response to the explicit SDG 6 on water and sanitation and water related targets and demands from stakeholders. Through its structure and outreach, and wealth of capacity development programmes, Cap-Net UNDP is in a unique position to address capacity needs for implementation of the SDGs and develop capacities for monitoring and reporting on progress.

The strength of Cap-Net UNDP lies in its extensive outreach to capacity development institutions and its client base. Currently composed of 23 affiliated regional and country level capacity development networks with over 1000 member organisations in 120 countries, it delivers training and education to water professionals in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.Partnering with more than 40 international organisations and global thematic networks ensures that the best available knowledge and state of the art capacity development delivery is joined in comprehensive packages consisting of training programmes and accessible training manuals. This structure also supports triangular cooperation with regard to sharing water knowledge and capacity development.Cap-Net is a global programme under the Water and Ocean Governance Programme (WOGP) of UNDP within the Sustainable Development Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS). The programme is executed and coordinated by a full-time core staff (secretariat) recruited by UNDP and UNOPS (Global Partner Services Office Water and Energy Cluster) on short term contracts with annual renewal. A global management board chaired by UNDP and composed of UNDP, UNOPS, financing partners; international partners and partners networks meet at least twice a year. The management board assumes governance responsibility for the programme. Its purpose is to mandate, control, empower and make key decisions. The Cap-Net global network meet annually to advise on the direction and implementation of the programme, agree on mutual priorities and cooperation, and mobilise support and identify collaborative projects and activities with international partners, global thematic networks and invited private organisations.

23 geographic affiliated networks: AGWnet; Awarenet; CB-Hydronet; NBCBN; NileIWRMnet; WA-Net; WaterCap; WaterNet; Arg Cap-Net; Cap-Net Brasil; Caribbean WaterNet; LA-WETnet; REDICA; REMERH Mex Cap-Net; Cap-Net Bangladesh; Cap-Net Lanka; Cap-Net Pakistan; CAR@WAN; SCaN; AguaJaring; CK-Net-INA; MyCDNet; PHIL CAP-NET 7 global thematic networks: SuSanA; IW-Learn; WIN; GWA; WSP; Tiger Africa; Water Footprint Network 25 international partners: BGR; ESA-ESRIN; GWP; IRC; ITC; IWA; IWMI; METAMETA; RAIN foundation; Rio+ Centre; Seecon/CEWAS; SEI; SIWI; UNDP WGF; UNEP; UNEP-DHI; UNESCO-IHE; UN-Habitat GWOPA; UNISDR; UNU-FLORES; UNU-INWEH; WaterLex; WHO; WMO/APFM; WRC