NIPS Project discussing Training Needs Assessment with Stakeholders

On March 2, 2023, the NIPS Team of Experts presented the draft Training Needs Assessment (TNA) report to stakeholders at a workshop held in Tirana, Albania. The workshop, attended by members of the working group for the implementation of the National Sludge Management Strategy (NSMS) and Directives on Drinking Water (DWD) and Urban Wastewater Treatment (UWWTD), focused on capacity development planning. During the workshop, NIPS experts team presented an overview of the current situation, the assessed the training needs of the targeted institutions and identified gaps in the existing Training and Certification Framework of the Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) sector. The team also highlighted the importance of gender in the sector and presented strategies and measures to address the gender gap. The institutional and organizational framework for the water supply and sewerage services sector in Albania was also discussed among participants, including the government’s role in sector strategies and policy development, as well as their responsibility for providing water supply and sewerage services in partnership with local governments. The workshop concluded with stakeholders providing comments and inputs to complete the TNA report and indications on the next steps to be taken to finalize the report. This report will be instrumental in developing a Capacity Development Plan to support the implementation of the DSIPs and other project outputs, as indicated in the NIPS project’s six results. Such represents a significant step forward in supporting the development of key strategic water sector documents and capacity development. Stakeholders emphasized their commitment to ensuring that the water supply and sewerage services sector is adequately trained and equipped to meet the challenges ahead. The Capacity Development Plan is part of the “Water Negotiations and Investment Planning Support, Albania” project, which is financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and managed by the National Agency of Water Supply, Sewerage and Waste Infrastructure (AKUM) on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (MIE). The project aims to support Albania’s negotiations with the European Union (EU) in regard to Chapter 27 (Environment). The working group participants represented the National Agency of Water Supply, Sewerage and Waste Infrastructure (AKUM), Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (MoIE), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD), Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSP), National Environment Agency (NEA), Water Supply and Sewerage Association in Albania (SHUKALB) , Water Supply Sector Regulatory Authority (ERRU), Agency for the Management of Water Resources (AMBU) and NIPS Project.