Identifying Water Governance Priorities and Gaps in Transboundary Basins through SWOT: The Case Study of Mesta/Nestos River Basin

Abstract

In the majority of transboundary river basins, difficulties lay on common policy planning, and such is the case of Mesta/Nestos shared between Bulgaria and Greece, where both qualitative and quantitative issues could threaten the water safety. Conceptual models organize the available information, respond to policy questions, assisting policy makers in a simple yet practical way. The aim of this research is the application of the SWOT conceptual model to identify the major possible threats (gaps) to water security in the Mesta/Nestos transboundary river basin and assist in future steps prioritization regarding water policy arrangements. The results highlight the need for stronger bilateral cooperation, for common PoMs development, activities’ coordination to support the WFD implementation, and improving transboundary interactions in the basin.

Keywords

• WFD
• conceptual models
• transboundary river basin management
• water security