Drought is a recurring socio-natural phenomenon in Brazil's semiarid region. In the State of Ceará, decades of experience in living with drought have led to the development of a broad range of responses, including institutional and legal frameworks, water infrastructure investments, and social organization processes. However, drought management has historically been dominated by reactive approaches that treat drought as an exceptional and unexpected event. Such approaches are insufficient to address its complex challenges and impacts, resulting in significant social and economic costs while overlooking the extensive knowledge and experiences accumulated across the state's diverse territories.

To address these challenges, the Chief Scientist Program – Water Resources, funded by the Ceará Foundation for Scientific and Technological Development Support (FUNCAP) and developed in partnership with CEPAS/UFC and COGERH, established the Proactive Drought Management Plans initiative. The program replaces reactive responses with participatory drought planning processes involving River Basin Committees, Reservoir Management Commissions, Valley Operation Commissions, COGERH Regional Offices, and universities. Together, these stakeholders define coordinated actions for the different stages of drought, enabling territories to anticipate and prepare for its impacts.

The project's objective is to develop Proactive Drought Management Plans for the hydrosystems and perennial river valleys of the State of Ceará, while advancing innovative methods, techniques, management tools, and organizational approaches to support the implementation of Ceará's Proactive Drought Management Policy.