A workshop on Water Sector Investment Projects Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro November 11-12, 2004 Rationale This workshop was one of the activities carried out within the Priority Environmental Investment Programme (PEIP) in 2004. The rationale of the workshop was the increasing demand in SEE countries for water infrastructure investments that are in line with EU requirements. Two aspects of tackling the water-sector investment challenge were emphasised during the workshop. On one hand, there is the task of making sure that investment planning in the water sector complies with EU directives at the national level. On the other hand is the challenge of formulating and developing individual investment projects at the local level. Participants The training was aimed at water sector experts from Ministries of Environment (or other relevant bodies), as well as local-level project proponents from SEE countries. Local project proponents represented pilot hot spots, which are sites nominated for continued work by Ministries of Environment. (These sites are selected from among an initial set of hot spots identified during the first phase of the PEIP.) The workshop was attended by local and international experts, as well as representatives of international financing institutions. Sessions During the first session of the workshop participants were informed of the water policy of the European Union in general, including the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC. Specific details were given on the requirements of so-called investment-heavy directives related to the water sector and their investment implications. Key-investment-heavy directives are directives for which implementation requires considerable investment. These include: the Bathing Water Directive 76/160/EEC, Drinking Water Directive 98/83/EC, Urban Wastewater Directive 91/271/EEC, Dangerous Substances in Water Directive 76/464/EEC, and the Nitrates Directive 91/676/EEC. Following was an overview concerning the status of investment planning in SEE countries. In the second session different methods and techniques were introduced to participants to identify investment projects and develop an investment programme at the national level. Furthermore, training was provided on critical conditions and information needed for investment planning at the local level. The third session dealt with prerequisites and criteria required for developing bankable projects. During this session representatives from pilot hot spots described the relevant environmental situation and spelled out investment needs. In the fourth session an overview was given on the financial sources for environmental investment projects. Also, training was provided on how to start up constructive dialogue with international financing institutions and other donors. Session participants were also introduced to some lessons learned while developing water investment projects in the SEE region. During the working group exercises participants identified barriers to implementing key-investment-heavy directives at the national level, conducted project prioritisations, and developed financing strategies for priority projects. Besides providing comprehensive training on project preparation, the workshop provided an opportunity for local project proponents, national decision makers at ministerial levels and the donor community to clarify differing requirements and expectations, as well as to exchange experiences in preparing and financing investment projects. Please see Agenda (102-KByte PDF files) and List of Participants (92-KByte PDF files). For further information please contact: Ms. Eniko Artim E-mail: EArtim@rec.org

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