Country’s regions North, Center and South were actively involved in the initial processes of regional development, since 2010. This is done within a regional policy developed by the Ministry of Regional Development and Construction. Regionally, it is desired more efficient public services in water supply and sanitation (WSS), including optimization of the quality level of these services by upgrading them through actions in line with European standards, and providing the leveled connection of these services to national systems.

In this respect, this process focuses on involving the working group representatives and other stakeholders in deciding on the level of service desired, within specialized workshops. These are organized into the 3 regions – North, Center and South and are designed to develop the capacities of sector planning at regional and local level. During December 2012 – February 2014 there were held 5 workshops focused on:

  • Initiation of participants in regional sector planning process (December 2012);
  • Confirmation of data on the current situation in the WSS and participatory development, of the vision on the level of organizational and management services of water and sewerage networks regionally by 2018 (March 2013);
  • Presentation of materials on existing water sources in regions and conducting planning exercises in each rayon (July 2013);
  • Finalization of sector plans, presentation of rayon sheets initiated within workshop no. 3 and additional information submitted by the rayons, presentation of forecasts for development of the WSS services with horizon 2020, discussions of gender issues in WSS and the identification of risks and sustainability of possible project concepts in WSS ( October 2013) ;
  • Integrated concept presentation for WSS systems, selection criteria of PPC, presentation of type sheet for possible project concept (PPC), (February 2014).

In this context, it was held the sixth workshop in regional planning in water supply and sanitation sector in Development Region South, which had the objective to present Regional Sector Programme in WSS, within the stage of public consultation including the stage of comments received from RDA South and their inclusion in the current version of the document.

This workshop was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Regional Development and Construction, Ministry of Environment, LPA, representatives of water operators in the region, GIZ advisors, and specialists from the Regional Development Agency South.

The workshop analyzed the results of previous work in the workshops and presented Regional Sector Programme in WSS of the Development Region South, highlighting the features of Region South.

Finally, there were identified actions to be taken, the members of the working groups appreciated the presented Programme and for late May – early June, are expected public hearings on this program.