The Musi River basin is located in the southern part of Sumatra Island with a total catchment area of approx. 60,000 km². The basin lacked a proper water management plan, causing various problems for the inhabitants. Furthermore, in Indonesia, water resources management is shifting from "national and provincial initiative" to "district, city or water corporation initiative." This decentralization requires the officials of local governments to work by themselves, thus there was an urgent need for capacity building for local government staff.

The comprehensive water management plan for the Musi River basin including institutional strengthening was formulated. This institutional strengthening aims to establish and/or enhance necessary organizational and institutional mechanisms as well as human resources capability that are important keys to certain and firm implementation of the plan.