“When citizens lead…rivers thrive”

Summary

Running from August to October 2025, the programme aims to involve and integrate the local communities in the management of the basin water resources.

In a groundbreaking move to bridge science and society, LIMCOM has launched a basin-wide capacity building programme to empower citizens to become active stewards of their shared waters.

The capacity programme — Limpopo Basin Citizen Science Training of Trainers — is being implemented in partnership with CGIAR’s International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and GroundTruth.

Running from August to October 2025, the programme aims to involve and integrate the local communities in the management of the basin water resources.

Given the limitations of conventional water quality monitoring, citizen science offers an opportunity to expand coverage, enhance engagement, and optimize resource use by involving a broader range of participants.

Training of trainers in Botswana was successfully held on 11-13 August and included university students and community members residing close to one of the main collecting streams in Ranaka, near the Notwane River, upstream of the Gaborone Dam.

Participants hailed the programme, with one trainee, Mr. Ofentse Lesego saying “The training has greatly equipped us with skills to monitor our water resources, boost local capacity, ownership and stewardship of our river ecosystems.”

The Republic of Botswana welcomed the initiative to empower local communities to actively manage their resources. “Citizen science will connect policymakers, businesses, scientists and communities in monitoring water resources for sustainable development in the Limpopo River Basin, integrating AI, scientific models, local knowledge, and youth voices to improve water policy,” Dr. Kene Dick said.

Capacity building for the community in South Africa was held on 15-17 August 2025, with a focus on the Vhembe Biosphere and the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere.

Similar training will be conducted in Zimbabwe on 8-10 September 2025 around the Mabalauta area near the Gonarezhou National Park, while the last Citizen Science Training of Trainers will be held in Mozambique on 12-16 September 2025 in the Chokwé Gaza province.

Citizen science activities are designed to equip participants with skills needed to engage and train other future citizen scientists, thereby promoting the continuation and sustainability of the initiative.

Ultimately, the training seeks to bring onboard the citizen scientist to the Youth Agency Marketplace (Yoma), environment leading to formal recognition of the participants skills and contributions. Launched in July 2020, Yoma is a digital marketplace where youth can build their futures by actively engaging in social impact tasks as well as learning to earning opportunities.