The overall objective of the WETwin project is to enhance the role of wetlands in basin-scale integrated water resources management, with the aim of improving the community service functions while conserving good ecological status. Strategies will be worked out for: • utilizing the drinking water supply and sanitation potentials of wetlands for the benefit of people living in the basin, while maintaining (and improving as much as possible) the ecosystem functions • adapting wetland management to changing environmental conditions • integrating wetlands into river basin management • improving stakeholder participation and capacity building with the aim of supporting sustainable wetland management. The project will work on 'twinned' case study wetlands from Africa, South America and Europe. Management solutions will be worked out for these wetlands with the aim of supporting the achievement of the above objectives. Involvement of local stakeholders into the planning process will play a crucial role. Knowledge and experiences gained from these case studies will be summarized in general guidelines in order to support achieving project objectives on global scale. The project also aims at supporting the global exchange of expertise on wetland management. Stakeholder participation, capacity building and expertise exchange will be supported by a series of stakeholder and ‘twinning’ workshops.