event 26 Jul 2022

Nexus Regional Dialogues Programme // Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus Training Material

The Nexus Regional Dialogues (NRD) Programme, in cooperation with adelphi, created a Nexus Training to inspire the implementation of the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus approach worldwide! The training material is comprised of the WEF information, practical knowledge, tools and case studies. Download the materials below!

WEF Nexus Training Material Cover
[ All WEF Nexus Training materials are available for download at the bottom of this page. ]

Why a new WEF Nexus Training?

The Nexus Regional Dialogues programme, jointly funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Cooperation and Development (BMZ), work towards the goal of institutionalising the WEF Nexus approach in national and regional governance structures and investment decisions for water, energy and food security. Therefore, knowledge dissemination and competence development are crucial elements of the programmes work.

The newly developed WEF Nexus training material shall contribute to an increased application of the WEF Nexus approach in planning, policymaking and implementation in countries belonging to the five target regions and beyond.

The WEF Nexus Training

The present WEF Nexus training material was developed after carrying out a Human Capacity Development (HCD) needs assessment. It shed light on the persisting challenges in implementing the WEF Nexus as well as on existing entry or anchor points for the WEF Nexus approach in policy and planning processes. The WEF Nexus training material was designed to fill these gaps. A modular approach of the training enables to address different target groups with appropriate training contents and formats.

The WEF Nexus training material consists of theoretical and very hands-on knowledge, such as concrete case studies and the presentation of decision-support tools. It is made up of three different modules that can be used individually, together, or mixed and matched according to specific knowledge levels and needs of the target group.

It also includes a Trainer´s Manual, offering a structured guideline on how to plan and conduct the WEF Nexus training as well as additional information, literature and online sources referring to the WEF Nexus approach and the available techniques to conduct interactive training seminars. The target groups for the trainings are decision-makers, project planners, academia, and civil society. The training material is currently available in three different languages: English, Spanish and French.

Within the training, participants experience interactive exercises and have the opportunity to play the Nexus Game, a role-game which is designed to demonstrate many interconnected Water-Food-Energy Nexus challenges!

Learn more about the Nexus Game:

Niger Basin Nexus Game

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The Modules

Module I: Introduction to the Water-Energy-Food Security (WEF) Nexus

The first module aims at raising awareness on the interconnectedness of that water, energy and food sectors are closely interlinked and on how interventions in one can create negative externalities in other sectors (trade-offs). The participants will learn about major global trends in the three WEF sectors as well as fundamentals of the WEF Nexus approach, particularly on the opportunities and synergies that the Nexus approach entails. In detail, module I includes the following chapters:

  • 1.1 Background to the WEF Nexus
  • 1.2 Water-Energy-Food Interactions

Module II: Nexus for cross-policy making and WEF Nexus institutionalisation

The second module highlights the necessity of addressing WEF Nexus trade-offs and synergies for cross-sectoral policy making across different levels/ scales to maximize synergies. The participants of the ToTs will learn about possible ways of anchoring Nexus processes and how to use and apply Nexus assessment tools. It also provides knowledge about cross-sectoral investment planning and financing. In detail, module II includes the following chapters:

  • 2.1: Assessing the Nexus – Assessment tools for decision support
  • 2.2: Governing the Nexus
  • 2.3: Cross-sectoral investment planning and financing
  • 2.4: Gender equity and social inclusion in WEFE Nexus

Module III: Case Studies: For cross-policy making and related project design and planning

Case studies are a powerful tool to illustrate how the Nexus is operationalised (what it looks like in practice). They help shed light on the benefits of Nexus projects as well as the challenges and solutions for implementing the nexus approach in governance systems and projects. The third module therefore presents specific Nexus experiences and examples of the five target regions as well as additional examples from Europe and Germany.

Download the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus Training Material (English) here:

Module I: Introduction to the Water-Energy-Food Security (WEF) Nexus

Module II: Nexus for cross-policy making and WEF Nexus institutionalisation

Module III: Case Studies: For cross-policy making and related project design and planning


Download the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus Training Material in other languages here:

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