Twinning Program

International Riverfoundation's Twinning Program is an innovative initiative that supports collaborative partnerships to restore rivers. This unique program enables Riverprize winners and finalists (Riverprize Alumni) to exchange their valuable expertise with other river organisations that are in need of skills and knowledge.

Since 2003, Riverfoundation has been encouraging the Riverprize Alumni to share their best practice knowledge and experience with other catchment organisations in need of their skills and expertise. To help twinning projects get under way we provide support to ensure compatible organisations are partnered; and assist formulate a business case to ensure a sustainable venture that is based on sharing knowledge and expertise.

Riverfoundation is proud to coordinate and support our Riverprize Alumni to test their skills and reach their goals to achieve tangible river restoration outcomes. There are currently eight twinning projects, with many more emerging. There is no "one size that fits all" twinning model, all are unique, but all are striving for a future where all rivers are managed sustainably.

Benefits of Twinning Projects

Twinning is a unique journey for the Riverprize Alumni, and one that brings about more than just restored rivers. Twining partnerships are based on personal relationships spanning the globe to deliver:

 •  Knowledge exchange for restoring rivers
 •  Personal and professional development
 •  Cross-cultural sharing of resources and experience
 •  Appropriate technology transfer
 •  Improvement of socio-economic status
 •  Rehabilitation of degraded rivers and catchments

“By exchanging knowledge, we can make great strides and avoid making the mistakes of others.”
Yao Yin, ecologist

The nature of twinning is flexible and varies greatly depending upon the partners involved.  Our current twinning projects include:

 •  Grand River (Canada) – San Roque (Argentina)
 •  Alexander River (Israel) – Lake Bam (Burkina Faso)
 •  Siuslaw Basin (USA) – Sakhalin Island (Russia)
 •  Drome River (France) – Tjangol Mangol (Senegal)
 •  Bulimba Creek (Australia) – Gregory River (Australia), Loire River (France), Trang
    River (Thailand)
 •  Tweed River (Australia) – Nairobi (Kenya)
 •  Merri Creek (Australia) – Merri River (Australia)
 •  Danube River (Europe) – Orange River (Southern Africa)

 Fact Sheet Twinning Program  1.20 Mb

For more information about twinning, contact Natalie Baker, Partnerships Manager, on +61 7 3123 7767 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .