The project Climate Smart WATer Management and Sustainable DEVelopment for Food and Agriculture in East Africa is funded by the DeSIRA (Development Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture) initiative of the European Union. DeSIRA is supports the adaptation of agricultural practices to climate change, the promotion of agro-ecology and the support of small farmers, which was launched at the first One Planet Summit.

The WATDEV project, specifically, aims to enhance sustainability of agricultural water management and resilience of agro ecosystems to climate change in Easter Africa. The overarching objective of the project is to enhance sustainability of agricultural water management and resilience of agro-ecosystems to climate change in East Africa. The specific objectives include: (1) National Ministries and Research Institutions improve their knowledge and management of water in agriculture; and (2) Farmers and local actors, cooperatives and Water User Associations implement innovative/sustainable solutions and skills on water management. The project will conclude in June 2025, having begun in January 2022.