FutureWater has launched WE-HARP, a new tool to support water permitting decisions in Mozambique. Developed under the Blue Deal program, the tool was introduced during a training with ARA-Sul and is designed to make the licensing procedure more data-driven.

In June 2025, Tijmen Schults visited ARA-Sul to support the development and roll-out of the tool. The initiative is part of the Blue Deal Mozambique program, which focuses on improving integrated water management across the region. The WE-HARP (WEAP-based Hydrological Assessment of water Resource Permitting) tool is Excel-based and offers a practical solution for evaluating permit requests. It was first set up and tested in the Umbeluzi River Basin, where it was linked to an existing water allocation model and the water user database, SIRHAS. The Umbeluzi River Basin is a transboundary basin that plays a critical role in agriculture and in supplying water to the Maputo Metropolitan Area.

A 2.5-day training was delivered to water professionals and technicians from ARA-Sul, the regional water authority of southern Mozambique. Participants were introduced to the tool and learned how to assess permit applications using hydrological indicators. The tool aims to support licensing decisions and reduce pressure on key water resources, such as the Pequenos Libombos Reservoir.