{"id":2770,"date":"2022-10-04T11:53:33","date_gmt":"2022-10-04T09:53:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demo.shukalb.al\/?page_id=2770"},"modified":"2026-02-27T15:25:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T14:25:26","slug":"advocacy-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/shukalb.al\/?page_id=2770&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Advocacy"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Advocacy<\/strong><\/h1>\n

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SHUKALB is committed to representing and advocating the collective interests of its members, inspiring positive change on the policy and regulatory framework of the water sector in Albania. As a result\u00a0of these efforts, SHUKALB\u2019s most significant advocacy achievement so far has been the establishment of an Institutionalized National Training and Test-Based Certification Program for the operational staff of Water Supply and Sewerage Utilities in Albania, by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (MIE) of Albania. This was the result of SHUKALB\u2019s close work in partnership with MIE, and the engagement of other institutional stakeholders and the donor\u2019s community, in the framework of a Project grant from USAID.<\/p>\n

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Other areas of advocacy for SHUKALB, as identified through the collection of regular feedback from its members, include: asset management, capital infrastructure projects, aggregation of water and sewerage utilities, and capacity development at the utility level. SHUKALB advances its advocacy efforts by building partnerships with other water sector stakeholders.<\/p>\n

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Albania\u2019s Need for a Certified Work Force to Ensure Reliable and Safe Drinking Water, While Also Protecting Albania\u2019s Rivers and Coastal Waters from Pollution<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Next to obvious life and death responsibilities of the medical profession, no other profession in society has the same type of responsibility to protect public health as the professionals that operate and maintain our public water supply systems. Albania has relied on a steadily reducing workforce of water supply professionals that existed in the water sector prior to 1990. Their retirement from the work force, combined with the assignment of unqualified management and operational personnel with little or no direct experience in the water sector, has led to a crisis of ineffective and inefficient performance of water utilities.<\/p>\n

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Position Paper: Application of Asset Management Products and Capacity Development for Local Governmental Units\/Public Utility Companies<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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The Position Paper seeks to address the challenges of water utilities with an aging water and wastewater infrastructure, the decreased or limited funding sources, and need to adopt Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in water sector. Significance of this paper stands in promoting Integrated Asset Management (IAM) best practice, as well as SHUKALB\u2019s offer with regard to LGU\/PUCs\u2019 capacity development plans. Main goal is to establish a closer cooperation with \u2018players\u2019 such as Governmental agencies, donors, municipalities and water utilities, on asset management gaps and opportunities and help municipalities and water utilities respond to asset management drivers in a more proactive 3way. It is designated with the intention to approach Donors and International Financial Institutions (IFI) engaged in water sector with a request for supporting LGUs\/PUCs with AM Capacity Development products.<\/p>\n

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Position Paper: For a Better Integration of Capacity Development into Capital Investment Plans<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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This Position Paper seeks to highlight usability of SHUKALB\u2019S current and future roles in Capacity Development for the Capital Investment topic. The paper tries to look into capital investment component and associated measures as part of a bigger policy and donor engagement context. It evaluates the usefulness and the constructive roles its engagement in the Government \u2013 Donor dialogue could generate for the water sector, especially with regards to capacity development measures. The paper concentrates on capacity development aspects and institutional\u2019 needs by advocating for options that seek to channel how SHUKALB delivery and offer on capacity development for capital investment could be better explored\/utilized by donor community and municipalities.<\/p>\n

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Position Paper: O<\/strong>n Improving the Regulatory Framework for Asset Management (AM) at Local Level<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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This Position paper aims to address and orient central institutions on improving the regulatory framework for asset management at the level of the Water Supply and Sewerage (WSS) Companies, which will contribute directly to improving their performance. It will also help institutions at the central level to take decisions based on a more complete information framework on the status of WSS Companies, be it for the approval of tariffs by the Albanian Water Regulatory Authority (WRA), or for the distribution of subsidies or the planning of capital investments by the National Agency for Water Supply and Sewerage and Waste Infrastructure (AKUM).<\/p>\n

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Position Paper: Strengthening Albania\u2019s Wastewater Sector Through Investments, Policy Support, and Human Resource Development<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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This position paper serves as a guiding framework for promoting and influencing new policies, improving the legal and regulatory environment, strengthening institutional capacities, and enhancing sustainable investments in sewage and wastewater treatment infrastructure, in line with European Union requirements and standards.<\/p>\n

Based on a clear analysis of existing challenges and concrete recommendations for improvement, the paper seeks to foster structured dialogue among institutional actors, development partners, the private sector, and academic and professional institutions. Such broad cooperation is essential to address current gaps and build a strong, functional, and sustainable sector.<\/p>\n

At the same time, the document highlights the proactive role of SHUKALB as a key actor in advancing an integrated approach that combines environmental management, public health protection, and institutional development, with the ultimate goal of improving citizens\u2019 quality of life and accelerating Albania\u2019s European Union integration process.<\/p>\n

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Position Paper:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Application of Asset Management Products and Capacity Development for Local Governmental Units\/Public Utility Companies<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Position Paper:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For a Better Integration of Capacity Development into Capital Investment Plans<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\n\t\n\t\tDownload Document\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
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Position Paper:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

on Improving the Regulatory Framework for Asset Management (AM) at Local Level<\/strong><\/p>\n

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