FutureWater is involved in the introduction of a new innovative concept in water management; Green Water Credits (GWC). GWC is a mechanism for transfer of cash to rural people in return for water management activities that determine the supply of all fresh water at source – these activities are presently unrecognised and un-rewarded. Direct payment will enable better management of the resource. Green water is the water held in soil and available to plants. It is the largest fresh water resource but can only be used in situ, by plants. Blue water is groundwater and stream flow, supporting aquatic ecosystems and that can be tapped for use elsewhere: for domestic and livestock water, irrigation, industrial and urban use. This proof-of-concept program, co-ordinated by ISRIC, is supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). FutureWater provides specific input in the hydrological modelling and basin identification components.