RCDN+ Advances Regional Water Governance and Capacity Building
The Regional Capacity Development Network for Water and Sanitation Services (RCDN+) is jointly funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The project focuses on improving water supply and wastewater management across the Western Balkans through targeted capacity development and enhanced regional cooperation.
RCDN+ supports IAWD in several strategic areas, including organizational strengthening and reinforcing its role in regional advocacy and partnership building. Close collaboration with partners such as NALAS (Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe) and Aqua Publica Europea helps advance mutual goals in sustainable water utilities governance.
A central pillar of RCDN+ is the support to the Danube Learning Partnership (D-LeaP), enhancing the quality and reach of programs such as Asset Management (AM), Energy Efficiency (EE), Commercial Efficiency (CE), the Non-Revenue Water (NRW) program, the Utility Governance Program (UGP), and the Asset Financing (AF) scheme. RCDN+ contributes to both program implementation and boosting participation from utilities in the region.
As part of its advocacy efforts, RCDN+ also supports strategic initiatives with NALAS, particularly around promoting the Asset Management agenda. In addition, the project provides focused support to the next generation of water professionals: through tailored trainings and facilitated access to local and international conferences, eight Young Water Professionals from the region actively contributed to the sector dialogue. Their work culminated in a jointly authored position paper outlining their perspectives on the future of the water sector in the Western Balkans.
Finally, RCDN+ supports “Just Add Water”, IAWD’s awareness-raising campaign aimed at young people. The campaign highlights the often-invisible efforts behind the provision of clean drinking water and effective wastewater treatment, aiming to boost public engagement and recognition for the sector.
