resource centers make knowledge work

RESOURCE CENTERS MAKE KNOWLEDGE WORK

STEP 1: PREPARATION

CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE(Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania)

Presented by Diana Iskreva, Oct. 2002


STEP 1: PREPARATION

Activities

Selection of three countries (Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania); Selection of key informants and contact national experts; Identification of available documentation; Identification of national consultants; Meeting with key informants and consultants (WSSCC support); Planning short visits; Short country visits.


STEP 1: PREPARATIONResults

Initial country survey on WSS sector; List of information needs and knowledge gaps of different

stakeholders; List of institutions, organizations, professionals; Initial contacts as a base for future partnerships; Country visits.


Initial Survey on Water Supply and Sanitation Sector

(Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania)


General Country InformationBulgaria

111,000 sq.km; 7.9 million, 70% urban (2001); Climate from temperate to Mediterranean; Mean natural river flow 19.5 billion cubic meters per year; More than 2000 dams, capacity 6.6 billion cubic meters.


General Country InformationMacedonia

25,713 sq.km; 1.9 million, 59% urban (1994); Climate semiarid; Three large freshwater lakes.


General Country InformationRomania

238,391 sq.km;

22.4 million, 55% urban (2000); Climate temperate; Internal rivers 78.905 km in length; 1,500 dams (capacity 13 billion cubic meters), 2,000 km of canals; The Danube 1,075 km.


Overview of water supply and sanitation sector

Common Features Poor water resources versus high water consumption; Neglected sanitation and sewage system; higher quality of service in cities versus rural areas and small towns; Poorly maintained WS infrastructure: high leakage rate, intermitted

water supply; Insufficient wastewater treatment; Lack of alternative approach to specific user groups.


Overview of water supply and sanitation sector

Specific Features Advanced EU accession process: Bulgaria, Romania; Access to piped drinking water: 98% Bulgaria, 65-66% Macedonia and

Romania; Marginalized minority groups: Roma (Bulgaria, Romania), Albanians

(Macedonia); River basin management (Romania, Bulgaria); Ownership of WSS systems (public, private); War situation, destruction, refugees (Macedonia); “Politization” of the sector (Macedonia).


Goals and Objectives of Water Supply and Sanitation Policy

Rehabilitation and expansion of water supply system; Expansion of sanitation and sewage system; Rehabilitation and construction of WWTPs; Adoption/enforcement of legislation for integrated water management; Improved WS management; Improvement of quality of drinking water and drinking water quality

control; Attraction of private investments.


Water and Sanitation Legislative Base

Harmonizing national legislation with EU acquis communautaires; Number of legislative acts and regulations dealing with WS; National Programs and NEAPs.


Institutions Responsible for Water Management

Various ministries and public bodies involved; Decentralization and delegation of authorities; WSS companies: public, private, PPPs; River Basin Directorates; Role of NGOs and CBOs.


Political Commitment and Societal Support

Development and implementation of various strategies, programs and action plans;

Ratification of a number of conventions; Adoption of legislation encouraging PPPs and private investments; Mobilizing resources to implement WSS programs and projects (urban

and rural approaches); Citizens’ participation and public access to information.


Integrated Water, Health and Environmental Policy

Integrated approach; Hygiene control and health protection; Raising awareness; Integrated training; Involving citizens and youth; Implementation of Local Agenda 21, V21.


Economic, Financial and Technological Framework Crisis of transition; Effective use of EU financial instruments, IFIs, private investors; Adoption of innovative and specific approaches; Allocation of financial means targeted to WSS; Affordability of services and technologies; Water tariffs; Decentralization of public financial instruments - delegation

responsibilities and rights to local governments.


International Co-operation

Issues addressed: technological, financial, capacity building; Large pilot projects; Bilateral co-operation with the Netherlands.


Summary of Needs and Gaps of Water Supply and Sanitation

Sector Lack of experience on enforcement of legislation with democratic tools in the

period of transition; Institutional instability and ineffective coordination; Lack of knowledge and practical experience on technical and technological

innovations; Deficiency of resources, including organized information; Lack of experience to involve public in decision-making; Weak citizen participation, limited access to information; Lack of understanding for the need of specific approach to disadvantaged

groups among professionals; Lack of understanding for the need of gender approach.


Summary of Needs of Specific Stakeholders

Local and national public authorities with new responsibilities and desperate need of training, skill-share;

Investors lack adequate standard data to access the challenges and opportunities;

Decision-makers lack info, skills and experience to make informed decisions in market environment; knowledge and skills to mobilize resources;

Operators lack well organized data base, working ITs, experience exchange for better maintenance and operation; they badly need to develop PR skills;

Consumers are to be informed about their rights and to develop skills to request information, participate in decision-making; community planning and involvement tools;

Consultants need info pool of lessons learned in specific situations related to transition and EU accession.


Identified Needs and Gaps to Be Addressed by the Centers

Collection and analysis of data and dissemination of information; Packaging information in a user-friendly manner; Generation of new knowledge by learning from past experience; Using of new IT to reach larger audience: web-site; Developing good strategy and coordination of efforts of key national

players; Providing thematic information on experience gained; Proposing information about specific EU accession issues; Proposing solutions to meet the gap between policy and legislative

framework and practical implementation in projects; Principle of collaboration of the Centers; Short-term aspects; mid-term and long-term aspects.


Step 2: Advocacy and “Interest-Building”

Activities Foreseen

Initial meeting with informants and governmental officials; Visits to institutions and donors, and self assessment Institutional analyses on information; Workshop on power of information for capacity building: the role of the

resource center network; Implement one visible pilot activity to gain recognition; Publish advocacy document.



Expected Results

Information shared; Interest fomented: involving stakeholders and identifying a core group

of prospective network members; Start of situation analysis; Participatory identification of further studies.



Support Needed:

to continue the service they already provide; to define the best strategic position in the information network; to improve the quality of their services and their organizational

efficiency; to fill the knowledge and update the skills of the key players to reach

new information-user groups; to mobilize resources; Financial support.


Thanks for your attention!

resource centers make knowledge work

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