Knowledge Deployment
Finding ways to ensure that research and innovation derived knowledge and solutions reach the market or are implemented in practise is key to the success of the Roadmap.
There are currently 4 broad mechanisms supporting the knowledge deployment aspects ofthe Roadmap:
WADER
The WADER platform was jointly developed by the WRC
and DSTI to respond to the innovation support gap that
exists for water innovators and technologies in the
development and pre-commercialisation/ post pilot phase
(commonly referred to as the “valley of death”). WADER is
an innovation intermediary that supports the selection,
demonstration, match-making and ultimately uptake of new
water technologies.
Strategic Communities of Practise
Communities of Practise (CoPs) are a mechanism that help to hold a space of co-learning in specific niche areas related to the water RDI Roadmap.
We are experimenting with the effectiveness of formally convened CoPs that are led by organisations with a track record for convening role players in a specific area of work. The idea is to bring practitioners, policy makers, academics, innovators and students together in an exploratory space to allow practitioners to influence research and research to connect with and guide practise.
Currently there are 5 Roadmap CoPs linked to the Roadmap
Water Sensitive Design CoP
The Water Sensitive Design CoP is facilitated by the University of Cape Town Future Water Institute. It provides a leadership and co-learning space for water sensitive design opportunities.
It currentlyfocuses on 5 areas:
Transboundary Water Governance and Big Data
Analytics
This CoP is linked to an initiative called “Big Data Analytics and Transboundary Water Collaboration in SouthernAfrica”. This initiative was funded by USAID, the South African Department of Science and Technology (DSTI), and the SADC Groundwater Management Institute (GMI), managed primarily by the Water Research Commission (WRC) and SWP, and with technical support from the US Geological Survey (USGS) and the IBM Research Africa Lab in South Africa.
This programme developed over 3 main components: 1) a series of research calls on transboundary ground and surface water with a focus on big data potential and value, the creation of scenarios for the region and the support to regional strategies and policies; 2) the cementing of a Community of Practise (CoP) relating to transboundary water, including the big data sector; 3) a series of workshop and training opportunities for individuals involved in the projects and the CoP.
The overarching goals of this programme were to:
The program thus explores how enhanced big data capabilities can potentially improve the robustness of data, analysis and decision making in the context of transboundary ground and surface water decision-making.
Ecological Infrastructure and Water Security CoPs
SANBI implements a Water RDI Roadmap linked project call ‘Living Catchments’. This 5 year programme supports the establishment of 4 catchment based communities of practise that work at the nexus of water management and governance issues that intersect built and ecological infrastructure.
The focus of the locally convened CoPs is to:
Currently 4 catchment based communities of practise have been initiated:
Be part of shaping South Africa’s future by engaging with the Water RDI Roadmap. Together, we can drive innovative solutions, strengthen partnerships, and create sustainable water systems for generations to come. Whether you’re in research, policy, business, or education, your contribution matters. Let’s collaborate for a water-secure South Africa and beyond!
