Step 2.05.01 , Formulate a Portfolio of Interventions
Purpose
A Portfolio of Interventions is formulated to ensure that a Water Fund has a robust plan for guiding the stakeholders' investments in the most optimal way for meeting the goals set for the Water Fund.
Key Ideas
This portfolio should identify the combination of interventions that will provide the greatest benefit (Return on Investment) in terms of ecosystem services change given the available resources.
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What is an Intervention?
An intervention is any action that is taken by a Water Fund to help mitigate or address the identified water security issues. For instance, improving agricultural practices to reduce sediment loadings, restoring grasslands to regulate water availability, or implementing a water demand reduction campaign within an urban area are all examples of interventions. Many of these actions are also often referred to as 'conservation activities'. -
The portfolio translates the stakeholders shared vision for the Water Fund into action on the ground
The initial portfolio of a Water Fund is an important study to translate the shared vision between stakeholders stated in the Water Fund goals into a detailed plan of field interventions, that will help to achieve measurable results within a specific time frame. -
The portfolio should help sustain targeted ecosystem services related to water security
A well-defined portfolio helps to make meaningful contributions to targeted ecosystem functions that yield valued ecosystem services. -
The portfolio is trying to identify the optimal return on investment
What is the overarching question this portfolio is trying to answer? The objective of doing this type of classification is to understand what conditions may apply for each intervention and the expected outcomes of implementing them. The overarching question a portfolio must answer is which set of investments, both in terms of activities and location, will yield the greatest return toward the goals of the Water Fund? -
The portfolio informs planning efforts related to finance, science, and operations
A well-defined portfolio provides meaningful information for financial planning (e.g. how much the portfolio will cost per hectare per year for field interventions; per study, engagement, or campaign for other interventions; etc.), monitoring and evaluation (e.g. what measures strategy is required to demonstrate progress?), and operational planning (e.g. what is our schedule for implementation of interventions given available resources and our strategy?).
Ecosystem Services Analysis: Methods Kit
Analyzing ecosystem services is a key task for formulating a portfolio of interventions. Access the Methods Kit to access guidance, tools, and examples.
Key Questions
The Portfolio of Interventions is seeking to answer the following questions:
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Which combination is 'best'?
Which combination of interventions will provide the greatest benefit (Return on Investment) in terms of ecosystem services change with the resources available, or alternatively, the greatest change in ecosystem services with the lowest amount of resources needed? (note: this should be grounded in space and time, with a map of the places where interventions should be done and over a specific time-horizon)
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Total cost
What is the total cost of implementing these interventions?