Financial sustainability is a widely discussed key theme in the water sector: Everybody involved will readily agree that without a solid financial background, service delivery and service quality will necessarily suffer. Many water utilities in the Western Balkans show decreasing financial performance, often due to inadequate water service tariffs, frequently accompanied by low collection rates. Often, municipalities and other levels of government are unable to cover the resulting financial gaps. Lack of funding impacts network maintenance, prevents necessary investments and impairs service quality. In this situation, utilities, municipalities and governments must use all available instruments and resources beyond public sector and concessional funding to improve the financial viability of water services.

To address these wide-spread challenges, D-LeaP, the Danube Leaning Partnership, offers a special "Access to Financing" capacity development program with a focus on financing water services at the LGU level. This program builds on training materials developed by the World Bank at the global level, adapted to the context of the Western Balkan countries by the Technical Partner AQUASAN Network.

According to the principles of D-LeaP, these trainings are delivered in the respective local language by the regional D-LeaP hubs, with national water associations as organizers, supported by the Danube Water Program and RCDN+.

Late January this year, the "Access to Financing" Program saw a successful kickoff in two Western Balkans countries: The Water Supply and Sewerage Association of Albania (SHUKALB) held its initial two day workshop with participation from the five regional water supply and sewage companies of Saranda, Berat, Gjirokastër, Shkodër, Elbasan, and Vlorë, alongside representatives from the Albanian Regulatory Authority ERRU and the National Agency of Water Supply and Sewerage AKUK.

ADKOM, the Association of the Public Utility Service Providers of Republic of North Macedonia, reports an equally impressive success, with 21 participants representing 14 public utilities sitting down for three days with three trainers and two ADKOM representatives.

In presentations, interactive group exercises and trainings, both groups explored the unique financial aspects of utility services. They gained insights into economic and financial analysis for planning and making smarter investments in public utilities, learned about key performance indicators as tools to assess and improve operational performance, and discussed best practices and success stories that serve to inspire innovation and collaboration across municipalities.

Those interested in "Access to Financing" are cordially invited to turn to the link below.