On 10-11 October 2018, the first workshop within D-LeaP Capacity Development Program for improvement of Energy Efficiency in public utility companies (PUCs) was held in the hotel "Rekic'', in Bihac. The overall objective of the Program is capacity strengthening of the PUCs employees on the methods and possibilities for Energy Efficiency improvement of pumping stations. The first two-day workshop within the Program for PUCs from Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) was organized by representatives of the thematic centre, Association for Water and Environmental Protection "Aquasan Network in B&H".

Training for Enegry Efficiency improvement in PUCs was held by certified trainers of "Aquasan Network in B&H" which have extensive experience in the field of Energy Efficiency improvement in PUCs. 11 representatives of PUCs from B&H participated in workshop: PUC ''Vodovod'' Ltd. Bihac, PUC ''10. juli'' Ltd. Bosanska Krupa, PUC ''Vodovod'' JSC Prnjavor, PUC ''Vodovod'' JSC Trebinje, PUC ''Vodovod'' JSC Gradiska.

Mrs Vesna Muslic, Association president, addressed the welcoming words to the participants and expressed her satisfaction that PUCs representatives recognized efforts of  "Aquasan Network in B&H" to establish systematic and continuous education on the topic Energy Efficiency improvement in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Welcome words were addressed by Mrs Denitsa Ruseva too, representative of the company "Econoler", Technical Partner for D-LeaP Energy Efficiency Program.

The first two-day workshop for PUCs representatives included the following topics: introduction into energy efficiency, relevant legislation, process of energy review of pumping stations including practical exercises, preparation of the Preliminary Report on energy review of pumping stations, thermographic measurement equipment and measurement of mechanical, hydraulic and electrical items (office equipment presentation and on-site practical work with equipment) and measures for Energy eficiciency improvement of the existing pumping stations.

It is particularly emphasized that the Program will result with development of Action Plan for Energy Efficiency improvement for defining short-term and long-term activities and measures to be taken to increase energy efficiency in PUCs, which are participating in the Program. Prepared Action Plan will serve as a starting point for the PUCs staff to find fundings from international and domestic financial institutions necessary for financing energy efficiency improvement projects and for reporting the founders, local government units (LGU). All workshops within the Program are designed as interactive workshops in combination with homework assignments by participants to ensure activite participation of PUCs representatives throughout the Program.

According to results of the evaluation, filled out by all the participants of the Program, the two-day workshop can be considered as useful and successful. The participants expressed their satisfaction with the knowledge and skills gained during the two-day workshop.

During the implementation of the PUCs Capacity Development Program in the field of Energy Efficiency Improvement, the Association for Water and Environmental Protection "Aquasan Network in BiH" will organize two more workshops. Funds for the implementation of D-LeaP Program were provided by the Austria Government, and the Program is jointly implemented by the International Association of Water Supply Companies of the Danube River Catchment Area (IAWD) and the World Bank.