In response to Sudan’s challenges stemming from climate change, conflict and fragility, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the European Union launched phase two of the Wadi El Ku Catchment Management Project (WEK 2). The analysis of this second phase employed adelphi's Weathering Risk methodology. This interdisciplinary, mixed-method approach was designed to evaluate risks that arise at the intersection of climate change, conflict, and other contextual factors influencing vulnerability and resilience. adelphi's involvement in this report included collection and analyses of data in Sudan, as well as the conduction of workshops with relevant stakeholders. Occupying an advisory and research position in the project, adelphi brought its long-standing expertise in the relationship between climate change, conflict, and security to UNEP’s work in Sudan.

The first phase of the Wadi El Ku Catchment Management Project (WEK 1) aimed not only to enhance agricultural production and mitigate the impacts of drought in North Darfur, but also to resolve natural resource conflicts, bolster stability, and provide valuable lessons for sustainable environmental management, conflict resolution and community resilience. 

Building on the successes of WEK 1, this second phase of the project (WEK 2) stood as a testament to collaborative efforts to address the far-reaching consequences of climate change and conflicts over natural resources.  WEK 2 linked climate change adaptation, natural resource management, peacebuilding and livelihood approaches. By leveraging water as a tool for peace and increasing agricultural productivity, WEK 2 exemplified a strategic response to the development of and security challenges posed by a changing climate. 

In a region where WEK 1 witnessed remarkable successes, including the tripling of agricultural productivity in millet and sorghum, WEK 2 further enhanced the governance structures created in WEK 1, consolidated community relationships and broadened the scope of participation for greater impact. Expanding the project to encompass most communities in the Wadi El Ku catchment area was a proactive measure to mitigate the displacement of communities, and promote peace and stability in North Darfur. 

Furthermore, WEK 2 expanded the project’s focus beyond immediate agricultural gains, aspiring to enhance natural resource management and foster community-level cooperation. The project aimed to improve resilience and foster development for communities in the Wadi El Ku catchment area, including farmers, pastoralists and internally displaced persons (IDPs) grappling with declining rainfall. In addition, the project sought to provide insights to inform decision-making on water and natural resource management across the wider catchment area. 

Key insights:

1. Extended inception enables success: Long planning phases foster broad, contextualized participation, laying the foundation for sustainable outcomes.
2. Shared ownership is transformative: Integrating community voices with government buy-in creates a powerful synergy for lasting impact.
3. Donor flexibility fuels innovation: Adaptable funding allows for timely adjustments, improving project outcomes in dynamic environments.
4. Women's empowerment catalyzes change: Including women at all levels enhances resource management, conflict resolution, and economic stability.

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Parts of this description were excerpted from unep.org