IUCN and UNEP launch the CREATES programme to strengthen climate-resilient transboundary water governance and management in Eastern Africa

Nairobi, January 2026 – With support from Denmark, IUCN, in partnership with UNEP and the UNEP-DHI Centre, and in collaboration with the governments of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda have launched the Climate Resilient Eastern African Transboundary Water Management for Environmental Sustainability (CREATES) programme, a new initiative focused on strengthening climate-resilient and cooperative water management across Eastern Africa.

CREATES is a multi-year initiative designed to support the three governments of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to improve their transboundary water management in support of water security, climate resilience, regional cooperation and sustainable development. The programme forms part of Denmark’s contribution to the EU Team Europe Initiative on Transboundary Water Management (TEI-TWM) and complements wider regional and continental efforts to manage shared water resources in ways that support stability and long-term resilience.

“As one of the main beneficiaries of CREATES, the programme will be instrumental in helping us improve our transboundary water management, building resilience to climate change and ensuring tangible benefits to local communities". - Dr. Callist Tindimugaya, Commissioner, Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda

Focused action in shared river basins

The programme will initially focus on two priority transboundary river basins: the Mara Basin, shared by Kenya and Tanzania, and the Sio-Malaba-Malakisi Basin, shared by Kenya and Uganda. Both basins face growing pressures from climate variability, rising water demand and inadequate transboundary governance arrangements, while offering strong opportunities for cooperation and improved joint management.

The main aim of CREATES is to improve water management in the basins. This will be achieved by a combination of institutional strengthening, enhanced tools for decision making and benefit sharing, as well as the application of nature-based solutions at the community level.

Partnership for delivery and learning

CREATES is implemented through a close partnership between IUCN, leading work on river basin governance and stakeholder coordination, and with the UNEP-DHI centre, leading on technical components such as decision-support systems, data management and capacity development. Implementation will be done in close collaboration with the governments of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. A joint Programme Management Unit (PMU) based in Nairobi will coordinate delivery, learning and alignment across programme components.

The programme adopts an adaptive, learning-based approach, allowing activities to respond to emerging needs and lessons as implementation progresses. Engagement with government institutions, river basin organisations and regional bodies will be central to ensuring alignment with existing strategies and long-term sustainability.

The start of the inception phase was marked by a start-up meeting for the PMU held on 13–14 January 2026 at the IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office in Nairobi. The meeting formally initiated the 6-months inception phase and aligned the team on the programme’s vision, priorities and next steps. A formal launch with beneficiaries and stakeholders will be planned in the coming months. 

Looking ahead

During the inception phase, CREATES will focus on establishing project governance structures, engaging partners and refining workplans to ensure that implementation is supporting basin-level priorities. Over time, the programme is expected to contribute to stronger institutions, improved cooperation and more sustainable management of shared water resources in the two target basins with sharing of lessons and learnings across Eastern Africa.

Contact: 

Lead | CREATES Programme | Climate Resilient Water Infrastructure and Governance: Jacob Odhiambo, [email protected] 
Lead | CREATES Programme | Decision Support & Water Governance: Gareth James Lloyd, [email protected] 

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