Testing Hydro4Planners: Stakeholder validation Workshops across Central Asia!

As part of the Hydro4U project, three dedicated Hydro4Planners validation workshops will be organised in Central Asia to present, test and assess the tool together with regional stakeholders.

Hydro4Planners, developed by CARTIF, is a web-based decision-support tool designed to support the sustainable planning of hydropower and small hydropower (SHP) through a Water–Energy–Food (WEF) Nexus approach. It integrates technical, environmental, socio-economic and governance aspects to help users analyse hydropower development options and better understand their interactions with water resources, food systems, ecosystems and local communities.

Each workshop will combine a brief introduction to Hydro4U and the WEF Nexus, a presentation of Hydro4Planners, and a hands-on practical session. Participants will first follow a guided case to become familiar with the tool’s main functionalities, indicators and decision-support features, and will then have time to explore the tool independently. The sessions will also include a validation survey and open discussion to collect feedback on usability, clarity, relevance and applicability to the Central Asian context. This input will contribute to the refinement and final validation of Hydro4Planners.

In addition, participants will take part in NEXAREA, a cooperative game that illustrates the interconnections and trade-offs between water, energy, food, economy, social justice and the environment. This activity will help link WEF Nexus concepts with real hydropower planning challenges.

The three workshops are conceived as a participatory validation and co-creation process, bringing Hydro4Planners closer to the real needs of planners, researchers and decision-makers in Central Asia.

Dates and locations will be announced soon. Stay tuned!

Author and picture credits: Sara Pérez Pérez, CARTIF