The Green Deal of the European Union stems from the realization that climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. Climate change hits the water sector of Central Asia particularly hard: per capita water availability may reach water scarcity levels of less than 1,000 m³ per person by 2040. A better managed water sector could play a crucial role in the sustainable and green recovery of the region. It could provide a solid basis for economic growth, prosperity and the reduction of social, economic and environmental inequalities. Building human capacity is the first, indispensable step towards achieving economic and environmental sustainability of the water sector. A comprehensive review of water-related academic and research capacity in Central Asia, prepared in 2019 by the World Bank with support by the European Union underlined the need for increasing the quality of curricula content, faculty members, research, innovation and international cooperation. In the framework of the project 5 HEIs from the EU and 11 from Central Asia will cooperate to increase the relevance, quality and responsiveness of MA/MSc curricula on water governance and water diplomacy offered by the latter. Teaching staff of Central Asian universities will receive training in the new curricula. The new programmes, inspired by European best practices and adapted to regional conditions and requirements will help train a new generation of experts, prepared to tackle the challenges faced by the water sector. Increased mobility and the development of a regional programme for continuous training and research support will guarantee sustainability of results. The new, modernized courses would increase the employability of and open up attractive career opportunities for graduates.

"The project tackled issues related to modernisation of higher education in 4 universities in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, thus creating preconditions for availability of specialists having capacity to develop competitive food production and processing systems where internationally recognized quality and safety standards are applied. Specific area was selected based on initiative of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan food production and processing companies, facing insufficiency of professionals.Overall objective: To support modernisation of higher education for implementation of internationally recognized food production and processing safety systems and standards in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, thus increasing food production and export potential of small and medium enterprises. Aims: 1. To modernize higher education in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan for implementation of internationally recognized food production and processing safety systems and standards.2. To enhance relevance of higher education to needs of food production and processing industries.3. To increase capacity of higher education institutions. 4. To enhance networking. Work packages are:WP1 Extended assessment of economic and educational environment, definition of study modules, determination of study programmes to be modernised WP2 Elaboration of study modules, teaching and learning tools WP3 Quality and sustainability measures WP4 Professional development of teaching staff and capacity building of TJ and KGZ universities WP5 Pilot studies WP6 Publicity and dissemination WP7 Management and coordination Main outputs and outcomes:· 9 study modules are elaborated; 9 study programmes are modernised.· 8 innovative teaching and learning tools (5 study films and 3 e-tests) are elaborated and integrated into study process. · Professional capacities of 45 teachers are improved after provision of 4 study visits to EU partner universities, master classes and consultations provided by EU academic staff. · 279 students were trained, inter alias 198 in Tajikistan: P2 KPITTU – 138; P3 TAU – 60; 81 in Kyrgyzstan: P5 KSTU – 64, P6 KEU – 17. · Technical capacity of involved Central Asia universities increased - 62 devices for laboratories and 276 books for studies are acquired.· The Quality assessment and assurance plan for modernized study programmes is elaborated and quality assessment is under gradual implementation in partner universities. · 8 national and regional events with participation of SMEs and national authorities held, 282 stakeholders participated, negotiations and consultations with national authorities and companies provided, about 320 stakeholders addressed. · International conference “Modernisation of Higher Education in the Interests of Food Production and Processing Industries"" with participation of 82 stakeholders: HEIs, national public authorities and SMEs organised. 62 external stakeholders participated. · 19 TV and radio broadcasts broadcasted, 16 publications published, more than 115 additional publicity measures held. · Collaboration among universities and food production and processing enterprises developed and secured, joint activities are in progress after the end of the project. · Collaboration among Central Asia and EU partners enhanced, mobility project is in implementation, new capacity building projects are in development phase, joint research activities are ongoing."