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The project draws inspiration from the results of the previous  project, DIKTAS I, “Groundwater Governance” and seeks to implement the main steps recommended in the “Global Framework for Action” for setting the basis of sound groundwater governance in the Dinaric Karst region. This approach complies with the conclusions reached by the countries sharing the Dinaric Karst Aquifer System, as set out in the  for DIKTAS Phase I, endorsed at ministerial level.

DIKTAS II involves 4 countries in South-East Europe, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Croatia, which collectively host some of the world’s largest and most prolific karst aquifers. The karst water has a significant impact on the economy, the environment and local communities. Many important economic sectors, such as agriculture, industry and electricity production depend on karstic water. Moreover, karst water is rich in biodiversity with many endemic species. Effective management of the karst aquifer can prevent floods and mitigate the issues caused by climate change, helping to preserve this biodiversity. The drinking water supply, on which many depend, is also reliant on karst groundwater. The DIKTAS II project therefore aims to promote transboundary cooperation among the involved countries to sustainably manage their karst groundwater resources.

DIKTAS II will convene stakeholders, experts and representatives from the 4 beneficiary countries to discuss, raise awareness and share updates and research on the sustainable management of water resources in the karst aquifers.

To implement the DIKTAS II vision, 5 long-term objectives were defined to be achieved over the 5 years of this phase: 

1. Provide sufficient groundwater quantities in dry periods, particularly for the drinking supply and maintenance of the environmental flow
2. Maintain and improve the quality of groundwater in the Dinaric region
3. Ensure protection of groundwater-dependent ecosystems
4. Support equitable allocation of groundwater resources
5. Raise awareness and build capacities related to karst water and their dependent ecosystems

The project aims to catalyse multi-country cooperation for the sustainable management of the Dinaric Karst Aquifer System and its resources, focusing on 5 components: 

1. Facilitating multi-country cooperation
2. Institutional strengthening for improved groundwater governance
3. Monitoring karst water and dependent ecosystems
4. Focusing on areas of transboundary influence and of special concern
5. Awareness raising and gender mainstreaming

DIKTAS is a GEF project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and executed by UNESCO through its Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe and its Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) secretariat. More specifically, the GEF is committed to financing projects dedicated to fighting biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution and supporting land and ocean health. UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) acts as the leading UNDP office, Principal Project Representative and is responsible for the overall project supervision and oversight, through agency execution modality with UNESCO.

The project will be guided by the Steering Committee (PSC), which includes 2 representatives (a focal point and an alternate) from each country, 1 representative of UNDP, and the UNESCO Secretariat and DIKTAS II project manager. 

20/05/2024:  Improving Groundwater Governance and Sustainability of the Dinaric Karst Aquifer System

• GEF project website:  
• IW Learn project Page:  
• UNDP project page: 
• DIKTAS I – Project website:  
• DIKTAS I Publication: 
• News article on IW Learn (2024): 

Sinisa Sesum, Head of UNESCO Antenna in Sarajevo: s.sesum@unesco.org

Francesca Bampa, Project Officer, Science unit, UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe: f.bampa@unesco.org

Patrice Moix, Chief of Section, Groundwater Sustainability and Water Cooperation, Division of Water Sciences, Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), UNESCO: p.moix@unesco.org