FP043

The Saïss Water Conservation Project

The Saïss Water Conservation Project

  • Status Under implementation
  • Date approved 06 Apr 2017 at B.16
  • Est. completion 31 Jan 2027
  • ESS Category Category B

Improving the climate resilience of agricultural systems in the Saïss Plain.

The resilience of the Saïss Plain is threatened by declining and unpredictable rainfall due to climate change, coupled with unsustainable groundwater use. Water scarcity is chronic, and demand is projected to increase in Morocco. 80% of abstracted water is used for agricultural purposes, so this water scarcity threatens agricultural production and rural livelihoods, with climate change being an important risk amplifier.

This project will switch the Saïss Plain from the use of highly unsustainable groundwater to sustainable surface water. A bulk water transfer scheme from the M’Dez dam to the Saïss Plain will be created, along with the preparation of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to implement new irrigation networks. This critical infrastructure will facilitate the transfer of water from a river basin with a surplus of water to the Sebou-Saïss basin with a shortfall of water resources.

Community involvement in water governance will be promoted, together with improved awareness of climate resilience issues among end users of water services, and the promotion of best-practices, efficient irrigation techniques with a significant demonstration impact across sector and region.

The result will be increased efficiency of water use and services, promoting drip irrigation and modern water demand management methods, thus strengthening capacity for adaptation to climate change in the Sebou-Saïss basin.

The project has an estimated lifespan of 40 years.

Total project value

 

Beneficiaries

 

Direct
350,000
Indirect
1,800,000
Theme

Adaptation

Result areas

Project timeline

Pipeline

24 Mar 2016 - 379 days

Concept note received

24 Mar 2016

Funding proposal received

21 Sep 2016

Cleared by GCF Secretariat

26 Sep 2016

Approved

06 Apr 2017 - 301 days

Approved by GCF Board

06 Apr 2017

Cleared by iTAP

06 Apr 2017

Legal opinion on AE's Internal Approval

17 Aug 2017

FAA executed

03 Nov 2017

Under implementation

31 Jan 2018 - 2,240 days so far

FAA effective

31 Jan 2018

Disbursement - USD 2,280,092

30 Jul 2018

Annual Performance Report

01 Mar 2019

Disbursement - USD 16,251,354

16 Oct 2019

Disbursement - USD 16,251,354

06 Jul 2020

Completed

31 Jan 2027 - 1,048 days to go

One region

  • Africa

One country

One priority group

  • African States
USD  
  • Financing
    • Private sector
    • Public sector
  • Size
    • Micro
    • Small
    • Medium
    • Large

GCF financing100% disbursed

InstrumentAmount
GrantUSD 34,637,053
Total GCF Financing
USD 34,637,053

Co-financing

Co-financerInstrumentAmount
Co-FinancingLoanUSD 130,010,834
Co-FinancingGrantUSD 953,412
Co-FinancingGrantUSD 58,309,859
Total Co-Financing
USD 189,274,106

GCF Contacts

General media inquiries

GCF Communications
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GCF Information Disclosure
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Project complaints and grievances

GCF Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM)
Phone +82 32 458 6186 (KST)
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Integrity issues

GCF Independent Integrity Unity (IIU)
Phone +82 32 458 6714 (KST)
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Accredited Entity

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Mr. Alexis Franke
Primary

Associate Director, Pillar Head, Donor Partnerships
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, 5 Bank Street, London, E14 4BG, United Kingdom
Ms. Elodie Loppé
Secondary

Associate Manager, Donor Partnerships
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, 5 Bank Street, London, E14 4BG, United Kingdom
More contacts

National Designated Authority

Morocco
Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development- Department of Sustainable Development
Mr. Bouzekri Razi Primary
Director of Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Green Economy

Documents

News + Stories

Achieving water security through climate-resilient infrastructure

16 Dec 2021 / Blessed with fertile lands, the Saïss Plain in the Fès-Meknès region of Morocco, is one of the country’s most productive agricultural centers. Over 82 per cent of the water from the Sebou-Saïss basin is used for agriculture. However, in the last 15 years, the Saïss water table has steadily decreased by around 100 million m3 per year.