IWRM Fundamentals

Wadi Kaam Dam / reservoir in Libya

Purpose

Build a shared understanding of integrated water resources management (IWRM) across Libyan stakeholders.

Learning Outcomes

Explain IWRM principles and why they matter in Libya’s diverse water basins.
Identify key Libyan stakeholders and their roles.
Recognize gender- and youth-inclusive decision pathways.

Overview

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is about balancing competing needs — households, agriculture, industry, and ecosystems — in a way that sustains water for future generations. In Libya, where water scarcity is acute and dependence on fossil groundwater is high, IWRM offers a framework for better governance, smarter planning, and community participation. This module explores the fundamentals of IWRM in the Libyan context, highlighting principles, governance, stakeholders, and inclusion.

Lesson 1: What is IWRM?

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is a process that promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources to maximize economic and social welfare without compromising sustainability of ecosystems.

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Lesson 2: The water cycle & resources across Libya (groundwater, springs, desalination)

How does a vast desert nation with virtually no rainfall provide water for millions of people? This lesson uncovers Libya’s answer by exploring its heavy reliance on ancient “fossil” groundwater, the massive engineering projects used to access it, and the struggles facing more sustainable sources like desalination.

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Lesson 3: Institutions & governance frameworks (laws, municipalities, NGOs)

Managing a nation’s water supply requires strong rules and clear leadership, but what happens when the laws are outdated and responsibility is fragmented? This lesson examines the key institutions governing Libya’s water, from national ministries to local municipalities, and analyzes how weak coordination and outdated policies undermine efforts to achieve water security.

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Lesson 4: Gender & Youth Inclusion in the Libyan Context

Women manage water daily and youth hold the key to innovation, so why are their voices often missing from critical policy discussions? This lesson explores the barriers to gender and youth inclusion in Libya’s water sector and highlights key strategies to empower these groups as essential partners in creating a sustainable water future.

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Quiz: IWRM Fundamentals

Test your knowledge on IWRM Fundamentals.

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