Freshwater resources in Africa are insecure in quantity and quality, and water resource development is a high priority for governments and international donors. Audiences for data and knowledge of freshwater biodiversity include the conservation sector to help in the protection of wetlands and influence policy decisions. Investors in water infrastructure for hydropower and human use also rely on biodiversity and fisheries information to reduce risk and plan development. Scientific researchers in many disciplines also use freshwater biodiversity data as a key component of research involving landscapes, terrestrial ecosystem health, and climate change.

We seek projects in which there is a partnership between knowledge providers and users. Successful applicants for a JRS grant must a strong case that the resulting data and information services will improve human lives and have a positive impact on the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development.

• We are pursuing grantmaking initiatives to meet the need to monitor freshwater biodiversity in priority areas for resource conservation, and to increase data access for policy and investment decision making. Grants may focus on creating access to data, developing data systems and mobile technologies, and filling knowledge gaps for conservation purposes, particularly as they apply to vital biodiversity areas.
• Over time, we will work to strengthen informatics systems, accessibility, and use of freshwater biodiversity data for use by policy and investment decision-makers to achieve conservation goals.