A brand-new initiative by D-LeaP, the Danube Learning Partnership, delivered by IAWD with support from RCDN, the Regional Capacity Development Network, went live last week: The Utility Governance Program addresses an important target group that other capacity-building programs rarely reach: decision-makers on the municipal and regional level.

Managing water and wastewater utilities is a complex task for experienced professionals, and not only in the utilities themselves, but in municipal and regional authorities as well. More often than not, these authorities have to make decisions with direct impact on the daily business of water utilities, from stewardship of water as a natural resource and appropriate management of public assets to setting service levels, approving tariffs, deciding investment plans and sometimes directly controlling a utility as a business unit.

In order to make informed decisions, authorities need to grasp how utilities perform and how they interact with asset owners, regulators and other stakeholders. The one-week course on Utility Governance Program (UGP) aims to build awareness in utility governance processes, including financial, organizational, regulatory and business aspects. Its target group are representatives of local authorities (municipalities) and/or regional administrators who are directly or indirectly involved in the corporate governance of water utilities. This includes municipal councilors, mayors and deputy mayors, administrative staff in departments responsible for WSS planning, non-executive directors in utility boards and related roles. Representatives of utility companies themselves, particularly when paired with their municipal counterparts, were encouraged to join the UGP.

Last week, this innovative program saw its premiere in Timisoara, Romania. 16 participants from five countries sat down for an intensive one-week training to gain a deeper understanding of the water utility business and the stakeholder environment in which water operators function. A hand-selected team of practitioners and guest speakers introduced them to specific management techniques and tools with relevance for strategical planning and decision-making on the municipal and regional level and presented regulatory and contractual models for the water supply and sanitation sector.

Those who were there saw the successful premiere of an ambitious program. Those who weren't are cordially invited to monitor our website: The next issue of the Utility Governance Program will be announced on time.