EU support for water supply sector in Albania brings direct benefits to its citizens

“After Fier a few months ago, now the city of Lezha is able to ensure 24 hours clean water supply to its citizens and a better life quality. This particular construction works were co-financed by the Swiss Government with a grant of 10 million Euro and the German government through KfW with 3 million Euro and the European Union with 250.000 Euro in support to the capacities of the Water Utility of Lezha,” reads the statement.

An impressive progress in terms of service level and financial sustainability of the Water Utility upon shows that special support to the capacities of the water services is required to ensure the investment in this sector is efficient and profitable: it is this combination of soft and hard support that make a success story.

“EU Delegation looks forward to repeat the successful cooperation formula with these same partners in the water sector: the concrete opportunity could be represented by a new sector wide water and sewerage investment programme for Albania, to which the EU plans to contribute up to 24M.EUR EU grant proposed under IPA 2018 national programme for Albania,” it is stated.

As adequate operational Capacities and skills are an essential ingredient for an efficient and sustainable water supply and sewerage service to the population, an EU grant of 4M.EUR will also support capacity building in both integrated water management and wastewater management, jointly with the Austrian and German cooperation. The two programmes are expected to start very soon in 2018.