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Freshwater is a key resource for human health, prosperity and security. It is essential for poverty eradication, gender equality, food security and the preservation of ecosystems. Yet billions of people worldwide are confronted with serious freshwater challenges, from water scarcity, to poor quality, lack of sanitation facilities, and water-related disasters such as floods and droughts. In July 201 0 the UN General Assembly declared access to c lean water and sanitation a human right, but lack of access to drinking water of adequate quality and quantity remains one of the largest human health problems globally. Human activity has become the major driver of the earth biosphere: the deterioration of water quality, overexploitation of surface freshwater resources and groundwater, hydrological hazards and sectorial management all pose a risk to human health as well as economic and social development. This also affects the functioning of ecosystems and their ability to provide goods and services on which human well-being depends. Increase in land development has the potential to increase the volume of stormwater hence runoff that can contribute to drainage and flooding problems. Water security, the reliable availability of an acceptable quantity and quality of water for health, livelihoods and production, coupled with an acceptable level of water related risks, is rapidly declining in many parts of the world. Population growth and rapid urbanisation are intensifying pressure on water resources in many regions, with the higher level of local water demand leading to in creasing water scarcity and stress. A wealthier, more populated and climate-variable world is rapidly becoming a more ‘water insecure’ world. Sustainable water solutions, whether at the local, regional or global level, require creativity, new advances in scientific knowledge, discoveries and innovations through strong scientific cooperation. Innovation geared to wards sustainable development has the potential to lift economic growth, create green jobs, and boost inclusive social development while at the same time contributing to water protection and conservation. Providing solutions to the current global water challenges require upscaling of existing local approaches and knowledge of the interrelations between environmental conditions and the state of water resources as well as instruments and techniques for water management at local, national and regional levels. Since July 2014 the UNESCO Jakarta Regional Sciences Bureau for Asia and the Pacific has been implementing the project “Upscaling water security to meet local, regional, and global challenges”, financially assisted by Malaysia Funds-in-Trust. The Project aims to provide solutions to current global water challenges that require the upscaling of existing local approaches, and knowledge of the interrelations between environmental conditions and the state of waters, by: 1. Providing innovative storm water an d water quality management technologies, best management practices and policy options to counter negative effects of urbanisation; 2. Promoting and enhancing Ecohydrology and HELP approaches, knowledge and implementation on the ground; 3. Creating a platform for the collaboration and exchange of scientific, technical and policy relevant information through collaboration between Asian and African category-2 water centres. As the project is ending in December 2017, a synthesis report is required to link all activities and outputs in one document. This synthesis of 11 key project outputs addressing research, education and water management aims to capture how Ecohydrology and HELP approaches have been demonstrated, showcased and upscaled in water management in Asia and the Pacific, as well as Africa. It also shows how collaborations have been strengthened to support, design and implement Ecohydrology and HELP strategies and policies, and makes recommendations for further strengthening of that collaboration. Malaysia Funds-in-Trust OPENASFA INPUT Published Not Known