Managing water levels and river flows requires detailed knowledge, in particular in the context of climate change. Yet in situ hydrologic stations are increasingly rare and financing their maintenance can be problematic. Calculations of “water elevation” (the altitude of rivers and lakes) based on data from Earth observation satellites provide a promising new source of information. Combined with other hydrological information from satellites, these altimetry data open up multiple perspectives for both scientific research and the operational management of water resources, in particular for large transboundary rivers.

This publication is based on the preparatory work and conclusions of the training workshop entitled "How to prepare bankable projects to finance climate change adaptation in transboundary basins", which was held in Dakar (Senegal),  21 to 23 June 2017  as part of the activities of the Global Network of Basins Working for Climate Change Adaptation led by INBO and UNECE.

The guide provides practical answers to questions raised by donors and climate change adaptation project leaders, for example on the different stages of project proposal and associated procedures (different according to donors), on eligibility criteria and how to designate a recipient of funds (the transboundary basin organisation or one of its Member States), on the additionality of funding or on the sustainability of expected results beyond the project life cycle.