From 2–4 December 2024, Zagreb, Croatia, hosted the 2nd RCDN+ Project Advisory Board (PAB) Meeting and Strategic Networking Event, bringing together representatives from APUCs, LGAs, development partners, and regional institutions. The two events focused on fostering cooperation, enhancing joint advocacy efforts, and advancing strategic management within the Western Balkans’ water and sanitation sector.
2nd PAB Meeting Highlights
Held on 2 December 2024, the 2nd Project Advisory Board (PAB) Meeting of the RCDN+ project gathered a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from GIZ, SECO and RCDN+ partner associations. The focus was to review the progress of the RCDN+ project, discuss key challenges, and outline a sustainable way forward for collaboration between Associations of Public Utilities (APUCs) and Local Government Associations (LGAs) in the Western Balkans.
Objectives and Key Discussions
The meeting aimed to foster constructive dialogue and align the project with its goals. Discussions revolved around the evolving role of APUCs and LGAs in enhancing regional collaboration and advancing water and sanitation sector development.
The update from partners segment allowed all participating partner associations to share insights into their contributions, challenges, and organizational development achievements in the context of the project. Emphasis was placed on building synergies, adapting to regional needs, and planning for sustainable outcomes in line with international water standards.
Panel Discussion: The Way Forward
A key segment of the meeting was the joint panel discussion, titled “The Way Forward: Shaping Regional Collaboration and Advocacy”, which included contributions from panellists Felicitas Siek (GIZ/ORF MMS), Karin Gallandat (SECO), Kelmend Zajazi (NALAS), Katerina Schilling (IAWD), and Pavle Donev (GIZ/RCDN+). The panel addressed the strategic direction of RCDN+, potential areas for regional collaboration, and the importance of joint advocacy in the water sector.
The session concluded with a reflection on how the RCDN+ project can continue to drive positive change in the sector, ensuring that the associations are well-equipped to address the challenges ahead.
The meeting also served as an open regional exchange and coordination platform, enabling participants to share critical insights, align on priorities, and identify actionable strategies for advocacy and sectoral development.
Strategic Networking Event Overview
The two-day Strategic Networking Event on 3–4 December provided an interactive platform for stakeholders to strengthen capacities, share experiences, and gain actionable insights into strategic management, governance, and financial sustainability.
Key themes and highlights included:
Day 1: Strategic Management and Governance
- Navigating EU Funds: Dušan Raičević, NALAS President and Mayor of Bar, shared leadership perspectives on successfully securing and managing EU funds, emphasizing the importance of strategic alignment, collaborative preparation, and regulatory compliance.
- Organizational and Corporate Governance: Experts, including Heinz Habegger from VSA, discussed frameworks for ensuring effective governance through clear role delineation, organizational transparency, and accountability.
- Local Best Practices: Insights from Andrej Marochini (KD Vodovod Kanalizacija Rijeka) and Jurica Kovač (Aqua Libera) showcased examples of integrating water sector improvements with urban infrastructure projects to meet EU standards.
Participants also explored how leadership frameworks and organizational analysis can address challenges such as capacity constraints, stakeholder coordination, and the need for digital transformation.
Day 2: Stakeholder Engagement and Financial Management
- Stakeholder Management: Henning Weidemann (EWE Wasser GmbH) emphasized practical approaches to building strong stakeholder relationships, identifying partners, and fostering collective success.
- Financial Sustainability: A session by Heinz Habegger outlined strategies for implementing sound financial management systems, optimizing resources, and mitigating risks to sustain long-term organizational growth.
Both days featured interactive sessions moderated by Deloitte facilitators (including Jeff Kwarteng Jacobsen, Gordan Kozulj, and Mihailo Udovicki), where participants applied strategic management tools such as SWOT analysis, organizational diagnostics, and risk assessment matrices to their respective contexts.
Driving Regional Collaboration Forward
Both events underscored the importance of resilient leadership, evidence-based decision-making, and regional cooperation for addressing the Western Balkans’ evolving water sector challenges.
Looking ahead, RCDN+ remains committed to strengthening regional collaboration through targeted capacity development initiatives, enhanced governance practices, and a unified response to shared sector priorities. The outcomes of the PAB meeting and Strategic Networking Event set a robust agenda for 2025, ensuring impactful and sustainable solutions for the region’s water and sanitation sector.
