The Musi River basin is located in the southern part of Sumatra Island with a total catchment area of arround 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, and thus there was an urgent need for capacity development for local government staff.

Also, institutional strengthening was programmed in the comprehensive water management plan for the Musi river basin, aiming to establish and/or develop the necessary organizational and institutional mechanisms as well as human resources capability, which are considered to be the most important factors for the successful implementation of the programs.