From technical training to peer exchange, RCDN is supporting wastewater professionals across the Western Balkans through the Wastewater Capacity Development (WW CD) Programme and the Communities of Practice (CoPs) for wastewater practitioners.
Between January and April, RCDN partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia delivered the final parts of the WW CD Programme 2A, focused on strengthening the technical capacities of public utility companies for the operation and maintenance of wastewater systems. In parallel, the WW CoPs in Serbia and Montenegro held national exchanges that brought utilities, institutions, and experts together to review progress and set priorities for 2026.
WW CD Programme 2A: Improvement of technical capacities of PUCs for O&M of WW Systems
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Bosnia and Herzegovina
Aquasan delivered the second training on wastewater operation and maintenance in Konjic, continuing the structured capacity development cycle for public utilities and WWTPs across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Technical staff worked on monitoring operational parameters, operating and maintaining complex equipment including SCADA, developing SOPs, and improving energy efficiency, complemented by a site visit to the WWTP Konjic where participants exchanged solutions on-site with plant operators.
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Serbia
UTVSI delivered training for wastewater professionals from Serbian utilities, strengthening both technical and managerial capacities for more efficient and sustainable WWTP operation. By combining technological and non-technological aspects, from sludge management and energy efficiency to crisis communication, the training supported utilities in turning knowledge into practical improvements on the ground.
WW CoP: Peer Exchanges and National Dialogue
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Serbia
The 4th National Exchange of the Wastewater Community of Practice in Serbia, held within the framework of the UTVSI wastewater conference, marked an important step in strengthening sector collaboration. Participants endorsed the WW CoP Action Plan for 2026 and reviewed the Sokobanja WWTP upgrade as a practical example of project development, financing, and permitting.
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Montenegro
The 4th WW CoP meeting in Podgorica brought together utilities, institutions, and experts to review the results achieved in 2025, discuss the Policy Paper on sludge management, and define the Action Plan for 2026. By supporting regular meetings, peer exchange, and knowledge sharing, RCDN continues to contribute to the long-term strengthening of the WW CoP and coordinated sector dialogue in Montenegro.
Building on Regional Cooperation
Through the combination of structured technical training and active peer exchange, RCDN continues to support wastewater practitioners across the Western Balkans in translating knowledge into practical, on-the-ground improvements. The ongoing delivery of the WW CD Programme, together with the growing role of the Wastewater Communities of Practice, reflects a shared regional commitment to more resilient utilities, stronger institutional coordination, and more sustainable wastewater services for communities across the region.
