Training is a permanent component of IWMNet to strengthen identified capacity needs within selected watersheds within Eastern and Southern Africa. The main objective of the training component of the project was to strengthen institutional capacities in strategic planning and management of watersheds to support the ongoing water sector reform processes within the region. The specific objectives included capacity building on three levels, namely (1) regional, (2) national (3) catchment. The approach taken involved a comprehensive training needs assessment of stakeholders within the water sector and related fields. After identifying training needs, required trainings were implemented through short courses, tailor made courses, summer schools, and expert seminars. The target group for the trainings included grass root water resources user associations, basin water management/regulatory institutions, professionals in the water sector and related fields.

In order to enhance the training component, a Training Working Group (TWG) comprising delegates from all partner institutions was established at the start of the project. The TWG was guided by terms of reference collectively formulated and coordinated via the established project internet platform. Working progress was monitored by regular reporting by the quarterly narrative reports and the biannual project management board (PMB) meetings.

Quality assurance in higher education is the activity that aims at maintaining and raising quality, e.g. teaching, research, analysis, assessing acceptability, recruitment, appointment procedures and different mechanisms and systems. The aim of the quality assurance in higher education is to guarantee the improvement of standards and quality in order to make higher education meet the needs of students, employers and financiers of the Master’s Programme in Integrated Watershed Management and Integrated Sanitation Management. The main objective of the quality assurance component of the Masters Programmes is capacity building in IWM and ISM and to lead to regional and international accreditation. 

In order to enhance the quality assurance component, a Curriculum, Quality Assurance and Accreditation Working Group (CQAAWG) comprising representatives from all partner institutions was established at the start of the IWM and ISM EU funded projects. The CQAAWG is guided by terms of reference collectively formulated and coordinated via the established project internet platform. Working progress is monitored by regular reporting by the quarterly narrative reports and the biannual project management board (PMB) meetings.

Visibility Actions for the EU funded IWMNet are an important tool for highlighting the support of the European Union and advertising the IWMNet activities and reaching out to the target audience. The tactical visibility actions identified at the onset of the projects that have been ongoing include branding of project facilities, web presentations and use of printed materials like posters, flyers, banners and letterheads. All the materials are clearly marked with the EU and the implementing partners' logos as outlined in the EU regulations.
These actions are built on the existing capacity of the partners both in terms of facilities and the projects‘ team visibility action experiences.
Communication is organised via internet and telecommunication. Common webpage and email addressess and  working group meetings are commonly used as a means of interaction between partners to effect the proposed actions. Some outputs like the CICD series and quarterly reports in hard copies and appropriate standard electronic format  are being made available to partners and the target audience.  Internet facilities have improved in the Eastern and Southern Africa region leading to more usage. All partners have skype accounts and email addresses while the project webpage is a common front for communication with the wider audience.