IAWD's Elisabeta Poci was on the road again: In the week of 17-21 November Elisabeta attended two Bulgarian Water association events, first taking part in the final workshop of the D-LeaP Water Safety Planning and Crisis Management Program, and the subsequent certification ceremony.

Our capacity building initiative D-LeaP had supported BWA in establishing the Hub and rolling out its first Water Safety Planning and Crisis Management Program. In March this year, D-leaP organized a Training of Trainers to build the skills and tools to deliver the program. D-LeaP also provided supervision by North Macedonia's ADKOM Hub to ensure compliance with the D-LeaP quality standards.

In total, 20 utilities participated in this program, and 17 of those presented their pilot WSP at the last workshop. Interest was lively, not the least because the WSP Program helps Bulgarian water utilities to comply with the requirements of EU Directive 2020/2184 and the latest WHO recommendations.

Next, Elisabeta attended the BULAQUA conference, delivering greeting remarks on behalf of IAWD, and holding the WSP certification ceremony as integral part of the Conference.

In the following week, IAWD Secretary General Katerina Schilling and Lena Schober came to Sofia in preparations for the 2026 Danube Water Forum, engaging with stakeholders and looking at possible venues venues. Details on this event will follow soon. We will keep you posted!