Overall learning objective:

• By the end of this program the managerial and technical staff of PUCs will be able to develop, implement and improve an efficient Water Safety (WSP) and Crisis Management Plan (CMP)

Specific learning objectives:

• By the end of the Workshop the participant will be able to describe basics of theoretical and practical components of WSP and CMP as per Albanian legal framework as well as international approved standards
• By the end of this module SHUKALB and each PCU will be able to build up the foundations for the WSP & CMP development
• By the end of this module the participants will be able to develop the WSP and CMP

Target group:

• PUC staff (managerial and technical)
• LGU staff (staff responsible for water and wastewater services)

Key topics:

• Workshop to introduce and explain the framework of Water Safety Plan with risk assessment/management methodology, and to introduce with Crisis Management Plan and explain how it works
• Onsite Visit and Training to establish the initiation of developing the WSP and CMP
• Onsite second Visits and Trainings; continuing with WSP and CMP development and carrying out short training as per WSP and CMP modules

Duration: Overall duration 6 months, with 4 trainings at water utilities

Overall learning objective:

The overall objective of the course is to enable participants to guide, follow, and actively participate in the preparation, development, and implementation of the capital infrastructure investment projects. By the end of this course, participants who are decision-makers will understand the framework and obtain general knowledge and skills which will allow them to:

• Get familiar with their roles and responsibilities for bankable project preparation and access to funding
• Organize, lead, and monitor the development of all elements of future infrastructure investment projects
• Fulfil the legal requirements and ensure the necessary institutional framework for capital infrastructure project implementation

Specific objectives:

• Carry out necessary preparations for infrastructure investment project implementation,
• Develop all elements of future infrastructure investment projects, and
• Implement all stages of an infrastructure investment project

Target Groups:

This course is divided into five modules:
• The course is designed for decision-makers, middle management of public utility companies and local governments and project implementation unit staff


Key topics and course modules

• Module 1 – Introduction to Capital Infrastructure Investment Projects (CIIP) provides the definition of bankable project and an overview of the available sources of funding, as a prerequisite for capital infrastructure investment project preparation, development and implementation

• Module 2 – Fundamentals of Project Cycle Management presents the key elements and stages of project cycle management, including the key steps in the preparation of project proposals, development of the project’s goals, objectives, expected results and indicators, risk analyses, project budgeting and logical framework

• Module 3 – Preparation and Development of Capital Infrastructure Investment Projects discusses stakeholder mapping and the legal and institutional arrangements for capital infrastructure investment project implementation

• Module 4 – Organisational Set-up and Arrangements for Project Implementation deals with the internal organisation and set up for project implementation and stages of implementation, roles of responsibilities of the local level for the implementation of capital projects in the water and sanitation sector

• Module 5 – Main Implementation Phase, Project Closure, Monitoring, Evaluation and Audit focuses on the main implementation phase, including permitting, procurement, supervision and quality control of works, program closure, purpose and scope of monitoring and evaluation, types of evaluation, criteria auditing and financial and other reporting requirements

Duration: The entire Course takes five weeks, with one module delivered per week. Each module consists of 2 lessons.

Objectives:

• Raising awareness and educating on some of the key challenges in the Water Supply and
• Sanitation Services sector in the Western Balkans.
• Raising awareness of the RCDN as the collaborative solution in building capacities of LGs and PUCs
in Water Supply and Sanitation Sector in the Western Balkans.
• Promote and position CD products as the high-quality affordable capacity building solution
customized to the needs of PUCs and LGUs in Western Balkans.
• Create interest in and demand for CD products among target groups

Target groups:

• LGUs - Municipal decision makers such as municipal counsellors - members of PUC supervisory boards, Mayors, General secretaries, Heads of departments of finance, communal services and investments, Project Implementation Units (PIUs), etc.
• PUCs – Management of PUCs - General Manager, Technical Manager, Finance Manager, Members of PIUs
• IFIs & Donors- Looking for trusted partner with proven results and success stories in WSS sector. Reputable partner for them means credibility, regional recognition and good image building

Overall learning objective:

• Participants are able to access funding for bankable capital infrastructure investment projects, fulfil IFIs’ and donor requirements and provide adequate support in in all stages of project cycle management

Specific objectives:

• Participants are familiar with their roles and responsibilities for bankable project preparation and access to funding
• Participants are able to understand the key elements and stages of project cycle management and provide adequate support in each phase
• Participants are able to fulfil the legal requirements and ensure the necessary institutional framework for infrastructure investment project implementation

Target group:

• Municipal and PUC decision-makers

Key Topics:

Access to Funding for Capital Infrastructure Investment Projects and Successful Project Preparation from the Decision-Makers’ Perspective

• What is a bankable project?
• Stages of project development and preconditions for funding
• Types and levels of funding
• Available sources of funding (national level, IFIs and donors)
• Role of decision-makers in successful project development
Fundamental Concepts in Project Cycle Management (PCM) for Mayors and PUC Managers
• Key concepts and definitions of PCM
• PCM stages Logical framework as a key project management tool
• Roles and responsibilities of Mayors and PUC managers in project preparation, development and implementation
• Ensuring stakeholders’ participation
• Project implementation stages
• Key elements of the main implementation stage
• M&E and audit
Legal and Institutional Arrangements for Implementation of Complex Infrastructure Investment Projects
• Conditions and contractual arrangements with IFIs and donors
• Project promotion, communication, and awareness-raising.
• Responsibility for fulfilment of public procurement procedures
• Types of contracts
• Project implementation procedures
• Financial reporting procedures
• Decision-makers’ support to Steering Committee and Project Implementation Unit (PIU)

Duration: 1 day

Overall learning objective:

• Participants are able to prepare, develop and implement capital infrastructure investment projects

Specific learning objective:

• Participants are able to carry out necessary preparations for infrastructure investment project implementation
• Participants are able to develop all elements of future infrastructure investment projects
• Participants are able to implement all stages of an infrastructure investment project

Target group:

• Municipal and PUC middle management
• Municipal staff engaged in communal affairs
• PUC staff engaged in project implementation

Key topics:

Bankable Project Preparation

• What is a bankable project
• Stages of project development and preconditions for funding
• Feasibility study elements

Access to Funding for Infrastructure Investment Projects

• Types and levels of funding
• Available sources of funding (national level, IFIs and donors)

Successful Project Development

• Key elements and steps in developing project proposals
• Project development procedures (IFIs, PRAG)

Fundamental Concepts in Project Cycle Management (PCM)

• PCM Stages
• Logical framework approach

Stakeholder identification and mapping

• Who are project stakeholders?
• Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in infrastructure project implementation
• Stakeholder mapping

Legal and Institutional Arrangements for Implementation of Complex Infrastructure Investment Projects

• Conditions and contractual arrangements with IFIs and donors - grant/loan agreement, financial arrangements, warranties and institutional setting for project implementation (Steering Committee and PIU)
• Public procurement procedures - national, IFIs' and donors' PP procedures
• Project implementation procedures
• Financial reporting requirements

Internal Organization and Planning – Project Implementation Unit

• PIU - purpose, role and responsibilities
• PIU structure
• Necessary project management capacities and expertise
• ToR for PIU members
• Internal and external communication of PIU members

Project Implementation Phases

• Inception phase,
• Main implementation phase,
• Phasing out/project closing)
• Key elements of each phase

Main Implementation Phase

• Key elements and steps
• Project design and permitting
• Types of project award procedures and types of contracts
• Project construction phase
• Risk management
• FIDIC Standards and Conditions
• Project closing – key issues and challenges

Monitoring, evaluation and audit requirements

• Purpose and scope of monitoring, types of monitoring, M&E planning, reporting
• Definition, purpose and scope, types of evaluation, evaluation criteria, reporting
• Audit of Infrastructure investment projects

Duration: 3 days

Generic Training of Trainers (gToT)

Overall learning objective:

To enhance the methodological competences of RCDN Pool of Trainers and Moderators (RCDN PTM) for quality delivery of RCDN CD formats "Training" and "Peer Exchange" according to established RCDN Quality Standards Specific learning objectives:

• Participants up-date their methodological competences for quality delivery of RCDN CD formats "Training" and "Peer Exchange"
• Participants are able to apply corresponding RCDN Quality Standards in their work context
• Participants exchange experiences and good practices on quality delivery ref. to training and peer exchange measures and are able to benefit of experiences of others

Target group:

• Potential members of RCDN Pool of Trainers and Moderators

Key topics:

• Introduction to RCDN, its CD understanding, underlying methodological approach and Operational Model
• Key aspects of collaborative learning and its meaning in context of RCDN
• Role of a RCDN trainer and moderator and its core functions
• Key qualities of a RCDN trainer and moderator (e.g. communication skills)
• Effective facilitation and experiencing facilitation
• Specificity of RCDN Training Delivery cycle: from assessment-based preparation to reflective evaluation
• Specificity of RCDN Peer Exchange delivery: from precise composition to reflective evaluation

Duration: 4 days

Training Management Cycle (TMC)

Overall learning objective:

To improve the capacity of RCDN partner associations for quality delivery of RCDN CD formats "Training" and "Peer Exchange" according to established RCDN Quality Standards

Specific learning objectives:

• Participants have increased knowledge on Capacity Development and key elements of the RCDN training management cycle
• Participants are able to organise quality delivery of RCDN CD formats "Training" and "Peer Exchange" and to apply corresponding RCDN Quality Standards in their work context
• Participants exchange experiences and good practices on quality delivery ref. to training and peer exchange measures and are able to benefit of experiences of others

Target group:

• Focal Points in RCDN partner associations (LGAs and APUCs) involved in the RCDN CD delivery
• Training coordinators for development and delivery of the new RCDN WW CD products
• Staff in the training units/centers in RCDN partner associations (LGAs and APUCs) responsible for delivery of the associations’ trainings

Key topics:

• Introduction to capacity development; framework, basic principles and concepts;
• Adult learning approach and modern trends in non-formal education and training
• RCDN Operational Model and CD functions
• Quality assurance and standardisation of CD functions; RCDN Quality Management System; RCDN Quality Standards on Training Delivery; RCDN Quality Standards on Peer Exchange
• Specificity of RCDN Training Delivery cycle: from assessment-based preparation to reflective evaluation
• Specificity of RCDN Peer Exchange delivery: from precise composition to reflective evaluation
• Designing CD measure: curriculum and agenda for Training and Peer Exchange
• Effective CD delivery (management of CD staff, realisation of CD measures, M&E, client management and logistics)
• Efficient realisation of CD measures and enabling logistics: Check list on logistics and cost calculator; Invitation, listing and registration of participants
• Attractive trainings and effective facilitation: basic skills and techniques for successful trainers
• Monitoring and evaluation of trainers’ and moderators’ performance: trainers' and moderators’ performance assessment and feedback
• Training evaluation, training report, lessons learned and follow-up activities

Duration: 2 day

Overall learning objective:

Participants recognize the need for and benefits of effective IAM of WSS infrastructure and identify how to plan and implement key IAM activities at the LGU level

Specific learning objectives:

• Participants understand the IAM concept and its importance, objectives and benefits and they recognise how to apply IAM principles in their job / working places (environment)
• Participants are familiarised with IAM legal and institutional framework and understand their IAM roles and responsibilities
• Collaborative approach to IAM at the LGU level is supported through joint capacity development of the LGU and PUC

Target group:

• LGU decision makers (mayors, speakers, councillors)
• Staff of LGU departments responsible for communal affairs (water services)
• PUC top and middle management
• Line ministries, regulators
• RCDN Focal Points from LGAs and APUCs and other relevant staff

Key topics:

General Aspects of IAM

• What is IAM?
• Objectives of IAM
• Benefits of IAM
• Getting started in IAM planning and change in business culture

Legal Aspects of IAM

• Legal framework in managing the assets at the LGU level
• Ownership on infrastructure assets (water and wastewater infrastructure)
• Level of service (LoS)
• Public service agreement (PSA) between LGUs and PUCs

Institutional Aspects of IAM

• Organization of IAM at the level of LGUs and PUCs
• Roles and responsibilities in managing assets at the level of LGUs and PUCs (link to PSA)
• IAM procedures at the level of LGUs and PUCs
• Asset registry and bookkeeping of assets
• Needs for revalorization of assets
• IAM towards the tariff policy/structure
• Communication and coordination of IAM activities between LGUs and PUCs

Duration: 1 day

Overall learning objective:

To underline legal obligations of municipal elected officials for provision of quality WSS services and efficient organization of water services at the local level

Specific learning objectives:
• Participants are familiarised with LGU legal and institutional framework in water services sector and better understand their roles and responsibilities
• Participants understand the importance of and need for improving the organisation of water service delivery at the LGU level
• Participants develop their competences jointly hence ensuring collaborative approach to organisation and delivery of water

Primary target group:

• LGU decision makers (mayors, speakers, councillors)

Secondary target group:

• Staff of LGU departments responsible for communal affairs (water services)
• PUC top and middle management
• PUC assembly and supervisory board members
• Promotion and selling staff from LGAs and APUCs
• Line ministries, regulators

Key topics:

General Aspects of Water Services

• Jurisdiction, Rights and Obligations
• Organization of delivery of water services at the local level
• Water services in urban and rural areas
• Public Service Agreement (PSA) / Contract
• Roles and Responsibilities at LGU’s level (LGU’s council, Mayor and departments, Public Utility Companies (PUCs), Customers)
• Strategic and business planning
• Water quantity and water quality, including sanitary protection zones
• Sustainability in provision of water services by PUCs

Integrated Asset Management

• Legal framework in managing the assets at the LGU level
• Ownership on infrastructure assets (water and wastewater infrastructure)
• Level of Service (LoS)
• Organization of Asset Management (AM) at the level of LGUs and PUCs
• Roles and responsibilities in managing assets at the level of LGUs and PUCs (link to PSA)
• AM procedures at the level of LGUs and PUCs
• Communication and coordination of AM activities between LGUs and PUCs

Capital infrastructure investments

• Basics of Project Cycle Management (PCM)
• Preparation
• Requirements from IFIs and donors
• Implementation
• Operation and Maintenance

Water Services Management

• Human Resources Management,
• Customer Relationship
• Non-Revenue Water Management
• Performance of PUCs

Tariff policy

• The tariff methodology,
• The main principles for the tariff setting
• Key issues regarding the tariff structure
• Explanation of the affordability principle
• The needs for subsidy programmes for socially vulnerable groups

Duration: 1 day

Overall learning objective:

To enhance capacities of LGU employees to fulfil legally defined LGU responsibilities for delivering quality water supply and wastewater collection and treatment services to citizens

Specific learning objectives:

• Participants understand how to organise efficient and sustainable water service provision at the LGU level
• Participants are familiarised with importance of good human resource management, asset management as well as infrastructure financing and implementation practices
• Participants develop their competences necessary for achieving operational and financial efficiency of LGUs and their PUCs in the WSS sector

Target group:

• Staff of LGU departments responsible for communal affairs (water services)

Key topics:

Organisation of Water Service Delivery

• Jurisdiction, rights and obligations, roles and responsibilities in the WSS sector
• Organization of delivery of water services at the local level
• Public Service Agreement (PSA) / Contract
• Key performance indicators
• Customer relations
• Strategic and business planning,
• Water quantity and water quality
• Sustainability in provision of water services by PUCs

Human Resource Management

• Mission, strategic planning, goals, functions,
• Organisational structure
• Job description
• Workplace rationalisation and optimisation of work process

Integrated Asset Management

• Capital asset management
• What is IAM and its objectives, purpose and benefits
• Getting started in IAM planning and change in business culture

Water Service Financing

• Cost management
• Human resource management
• Non-revenue water management and asset management
• Capital infrastructure financing
• Finance management
• Cost-recovery tariff and tariff structure

Capital Investment Management

• Implementation of the water infrastructure construction projects
• Role of Project Implementation Unit and Consultant
• Use of internationally recognized standard contract conditions
• Designing and permitting process
• Terms of Reference

Duration: 2 days

Annual reports for PUCs

Overall learning objective:

Development of Annual reports for PCEs

Specific learning objectives:

• Comparison and revision on the tools and the Tariff model (planned vs accomplished)
• Development of Annual reports

Target group:

• Public Utility Company (PUC): General Manager, Technical Manager, Financial Manager, Technical staff, Billing Department and Customer relation department
• Local Government Unit (town, city, municipality): Mayor, Municipal councillors – members of the PUCs’ Supervisory boards, Head of Department for communal affairs, Head of Investment and/or Financial Department

Key topics:

• Comparison and revision of data
• Management (Water), Technology (Water), O & M (Water), Tariff (Water),
• Management (Wastewater), Technology (Wastewater), O & M (Wastewater), Tariff (Wastewater)

Duration: 3 month course

Business Plans for PUCs

Overall learning objective:

Development of Business Plans for PUCs

Specific learning objectives:

• Strategic planning for water utilities
• Development of action plans
• Development of water balance
• Development of Business Plans

Target group:

• Public Utility Company (PUC): General Manager, Technical Manager, Financial Manager, Technical staff, Billing Department and Customer relation department
• Local Government Unit (town, city, municipality): Mayor, Municipal councillors – members of the PUCs’ Supervisory boards, Head of Department for communal affairs, Head of Investment and/or Financial Department

Key topics:

• Management (Water), Technology (Water), O & M (Water), Tariff (Water),
• Management (Wastewater), Technology (Wastewater), O & M (Wastewater), Tariff (Wastewater)
• Customer service

Duration: 4-month course

Overall learning objective:

To offer LGUs and PUCs a CD product based on formalized peer-to-peer exchange by using an existing product proposed by AQUASAN in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H).

Specific learning objectives:

• To improve the knowledge on the preparation, design, implementation of WWCT projects of an interest for LGUs and PUCs.
• To offer peer exchange on WWCT within and in other neighbouring countries
• To broaden the portfolio of projects and study cases in the field of WWCT.

Target group:

• Municipal decision makers: (1) Municipal counsellors, members of the PUC’s Supervisory board; (2) Mayors; (3) General Secretaries; (4) Heads of Departments of Finance, Communal services and Investments; (5) Members of Project Implementation Units (PIUs)/Project Implementation Teams (PIT).
• Management of PUCs: (1) General Manager; (2) Technical Manager; (3) Finance Manager; (4) Members of PIUs/PITs

Key topics (Different topics depending on WWCT project phases):

Implementation

• Selection of adequate consultant – key requirements
• Key project documentation - Preliminary Design, Conceptual Design (for tender documents)
• Permitting – challenges in particularly related to the duration of issuing permits
• Tender and contracting procedures (FIDIC Yellow Book).
• Note: depending on the interest some topics from the Preparatory Phase could be covered:
• Available technologies for waste water treatment and selection criteria for evaluation,
• Requirement of International Financial Institutions (IFIs) for approval of loans (bankable project)
• Feasibility Study and Priority Investment Plan – the importance of active involvement of the investor in the process
• Tendering & contracting - IFI’s requirements
• Role of the Project Implementation Unit (Team)
• Awareness Creation.

Duration: 1 national event: 1 day; 1 regional event: 2 days

Overall learning objective:

To offer LGUs and PUCs a CD product based on formalized peer-to-peer exchange by using an existing product proposed by AQUASAN in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H).

Specific learning objectives:

• To improve the knowledge on operation of WWCT projects of an interest for LGUs and PUCs.
• To offer peer exchange on WWCT within and in other neighbouring countries
• To broaden the portfolio of projects and study cases in the field of WWCT.

Target group:

• Municipal decision makers: (1) Municipal counsellors, members of the PUC’s Supervisory board; (2) Mayors; (3) General Secretaries; (4) Heads of Departments of Finance, Communal services and Investments; (5) Members of Project Implementation Units (PIUs)/Project Implementation Teams (PIT).
• Management of PUCs: (1) General Manager; (2) Technical Manager; (3) Finance Manager; (4) Members of PIUs/PITs.
• Operational personnel of waste water treatment plants (WWTP) of PUCs

Key topics (Different topics depending on WWCT project phases):

Operation and Maintenance (O&M):

• Optimal staffing,
• Training of staff for O&M,
• O&M process optimization
• Canal cleaning, odour problems, …
• Effluent quality (laboratory, measurements)
• Problem solving procedures
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Sludge management
• Optimisation of consumption (electricity, chemicals, etc.)
• Compliance with regulations • Health and safety, etc.
• Cost and sourcing of spare parts and services needed by the plant (pump servicing & repair, blowers, …)
• Accident prevention
• Public campaigns for (connected) citizens
• Calls and other funding opportunities.

Duration: 1 national event: 1 day; 1 regional event: 2 days

Overall learning objective:

To learn the basics of Project Cycle Management (PCM), and enhance project monitoring and reporting skills of the RCDN partner associations

Specific learning objectives:

• To understand the basics and different approaches in Project Management.
• To understand the Project Cycle and different phases in PCM.
• To understand why/ when and how to use LogFrame approach and/or Result based management
• To enhance the skills for project monitoring and reporting
• To clarify RCDN indicators (M&E matrix)
• To share learned steps of the project monitoring process
• To exchange information on achieved indicators and results in RCDN M&E matrix

Target group:

• Training Managers/ Coordinators (Focal Points) in Local Government Associations (LGAs) and Associations of Public Utility Companies (APUCs) from Western Balkan countries.

Key topics:

• Basics of Project Management
• Different approaches in Project Management
• Link between the projects versus organization in relation to the association’s vision, mission, and key activities
• Project Cycle and different phases in PCM
• LogFrame approach and its specifics
• Result Based Management (RBM) and its specifics
• How and When do we use LFA or RBM?
• What is Monitoring? Why?
• Monitoring Tools
• SMART Indicators/ Types of indicators/ Sources of Verification/ Formulation
• Progress Monitoring and Reporting
• RCDN Quarterly Progress Report/ Section 4. Monitoring & Evaluation matrix
• M&E Matrix presentation (homework)

Duration: 3 days x 2 hours

Overall learning objective:

To share experiences between representatives of Local Government Units and Public Utility Companies from Western Balkan countries on challenges & solutions in provision of Water and Sanitation Services (WSS) during COVID-19 pandemic

Specific learning objectives:

• To exchange on challenges in provision of WSS during COVID-19 pandemic
• To share good practices in organisation and financing the provision of WSS during COVID-19 pandemic

Target group:

• Representatives of Local Government Units (LGUs) and Public Utility Companies (PUCs) responsible for provision of WSS,
• Representatives of Local Government Associations (LGAs) and Associations of Public Utility Companies (APUCs) from Western Balkan countries

Key topics:

• Organization of WSS during COVID-19 pandemic
• Financing of WSS during COVID-19 pandemic
• Securing safety of WSS during COVID-19 pandemic
• Securing safety of personnel working on provision of WSS during COVID-19 pandemic
• Role of associations (LGAs and APUCs) in supporting their members in provision of WSS during COVID-19 pandemic

Duration: 1,5 hours

Overall learning objective:

After completing this training, participants will understand how to improve the efficiency of water services and increase revenues by applying practical skills and modern approach to non-revenue management (NRW) in Public Utility Companies (PUCs)

Specific learning objectives:

• Participants understand the concept and benefits of NRW management and how they can support their PUCs in reducing NRW and increasing the quality and safety of water supply in the local community
• Participants understand how to decrease costs and improve operational and financial performance of the PUC
• Participants learn the importance of development NRW action plans / strategies and their role within

Target group:

• Mayors
• Councillors
• Members of PUC Steering Boards
• Heads of LGUs department responsible for water services
• PUC top and middle management

Key topics:

• NRW: definition, terminology, status, principles and approach
• Indicators for monitoring the NRW status
• NRW action plan / strategy
• Operational cost (money) savings (electricity)
• Role of decision makers in improving NRW management and benefits there of

Duration: 0,5 day

Overall learning objective:

To improve the capacity of partner associations in their strategic planning process in order to ensure their long￾term growth and sustainability and increase the potential impact of their work in the future

Specific learning objectives:

• To introduce and teach the Manual users about the key components and phases of the Strategic Planning processv
• To introduce the concept of how to design and conduct Strategic Planning trainings by both following the steps of strategic planning and using trainer’s knowledge transfer techniques

Target group:

• Personnel (including Focal Points) and
• Management and Board Members in partner associations

Key topics:

• Introduction to the workshop concept and methodology, agenda, expectations & joint agreement
• Modern Trends in Strategic Management and Planning
• Why Strategic Planning? Overview of Strategic Planning Process
• Definition of organizational Vision, Mission and Values
• External environment analysis
• Internal analysis and understanding the SWOT analysis
• Defining Strategic Goals & Directions
• Defining Strategic Activities/Strategic Areas
• Budget Breakdown and Financial Conceptualization
• Monitoring and Evaluation (defining key performance indicators)
• Annual Planning, for the first year including budget projections

Duration: 1 workshop: 2-3 days