UPGro Film: Unlocking Africa's Groundwater Potential

Today marks the launch of an UPGro short film, highlighting the potential of groundwater for Sub-Saharan Africa, the challenges and opportunities of groundwater and the rich research findings from the 7-year research consortium.​

Unlocking the Potential of Groundwater for the Poor (UPGro), has been a seven-year international research programme (2013-2020), funded by the Department for International Development, Natural Environment Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council. Nearly 200 of the world’s best researchers from more than 50 organisations across Africa and Europe have been focused on improving the evidence base around groundwater availability and management in Sub-Saharan Africa. The goal has been to ensure that the hidden wealth of Africa’s aquifers benefit all citizens and the poorest in particular. UPGro projects are interdisciplinary, linking the social and natural sciences to address this challenge. 

For the last 7 years, the Walker Institute has been involved with UPGro through the BRAVE project. BRAVE aimed to improve the understanding of the management, monitoring and modelling of groundwater resources in the face of future climate change. This work involved integrating the three main areas of investigation - physical science, social science and governance. By increasing understanding at all levels of society, BRAVE was able to support behaviour change and investment into groundwater from community through to policy level. Take a look at more information about the BRAVE project here.

Check out the 10 minute film here

For more information, please visit the UPGro Website, which has been redesigned to become an online information repository and final report for the programme.