Policy Brief // Financing for River Basin Organisations to Operationalise the WEFE Nexus in Transboundary River Basins Through the EU

Summary

River Basin Organisations (RBOs) play a key role in implementing the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus and mobilising finance for its execution within transboundary river basins. Based on 12 interviews, a literature review and insights from the Senegal, Zambezi, and Danube River Basins — case studies in the Horizon 2020 project GoNEXUS — this policy brief examines financing mechanisms, available funding and associated challenges, and provides strategic recommendations to enhance WEFE Nexus financing provided through the EU and other donors.

Key Messages

• Rather than being an end in itself, the WEFE Nexus serves as a valuable - though not exclusive - framework for implementing cross-sectoral approaches to ensure sustainable water management.
• Substantial donor investments in recent years have propelled WEFE Nexus initiatives across Africa and elsewhere, with the EU being one of the largest donors
• However, studies highlight that cross-sectoral approaches remain absent from most water resources decisions in transboundary river basins, and even when implemented, the majority fail to incorporate ecosystems.
• The approach offers financial advantages through optimised financing, policy harmonisation, and access to unique funding sources, though its financing faces challenges including high perceived risks and limitations in RBO mandates.
• The outcome of future EU action should be basin governments and private-sector actors progressively investing in cross-sectoral approaches to water management, ultimately reducing reliance on EU project funding.

Published

2025

By

GoNEXUS

Download

Mueller and Worsley (2025): Financing for River Basin Organisations to Operationalise the WEFE Nexus in Transboundary River Basins through the European Union (EU): Insights from the Senegal, Zambezi, and Danube River Basins.