Competitive Grants Window Round 1

Description of the activity

In Phase I of the Danube Water Program, IAWD called on national and regional entities in the Danube region to propose relevant and sustainable projects in the water supply and sanitation sector. All projects needed to be connected to other activities associated with improving water supply and wastewater management. IAWD’s partners were required to provide co-financing or in-kind support for the projects. Activities started in July 2013 and were finished in October 2015.

Implementation of the activity

In 2013, the IAWD Competitive Grants window was established as an integral part of the Danube Water Program. IAWD reached out to stakeholders in the Danube region to apply for funding and support for projects they considered priorities in their entities, and that matched the Program’s themes. The association committed to supporting the best projects with up to € 75,000, while all recipients had to co-fund up to a certain level, as well.

Out of 71 applications received before 30 September 2013, IAWD selected the 14 most promising projects. The overall quality of applications was very high, and the Danube Water Program thanks all applicants for their interest and dedication. The successful contenders are from 10 different countries in the region. Some examples of supported projects include: the training of utility managers and engineers through AMAC of Moldova; the development of a GIS network database in East Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; the reduction of Non-Revenue Water in Kumanovo, FYR Macedonia; the development of a training course for business planning for water utility associations by SHUKALB of Albania, and a capacity-building program for utilities in Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.

By October 2015, 13 grant projects have been concluded successfully. IAWD’s partner in Ukraine had to cancel their project due to the political situation in the country. Detailed descriptions including photos, presentations and reports of all grant projects can be found under the links provided below.

Challenges, lessons learned and outlook

IAWD was highly satisfied with the quality of the applications it received. For the most part, project implementation went very smoothly and with only minor delays. In Phase II of the Danube Water Program, IAWD will likely offer a Competitive grants window again.