Integrity Management to accompany Investments into Albanian Water Utilities
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Client
SECO
Beneficiaries
Water and Sewerage Utilities of Berat-Kucova, Gjirokastra, Kamza, Librazhd, and Lushnje.
Key Partners
KfW, EU, Water Integrity Network
Did you know that according to the Water Integrity Network, at least 10% of investments into the water sector are lost due to mismanagement and corruption? Globally this adds up to dozens of billions of US$. In Albania, among other countries, seecon together with its partners, takes this challenge on.
The Integrity Management (IM) project for Albanian Water and Sewerage Utilities (WSUs) focuses on capacity development to complement a comprehensive investment and development project and, more specifically, the work on institutional development. At the outset of this project, we piloted IM workshops with five utilities and supported the corresponding change process that was initiated. Building on these efforts, we coordinated with the project partners to adapt the Integrity Management approach and helped integrate it as an integral part of the following program phase.
Since 2021, we have moved from supporting utilities towards supporting SECO and KfW through a strategic backstopping mandate that capacitates an institutional consultant and strengthens the integrity of seven additional utilities under a new phase of the Water Sector Performance and Investment Program in Albania.
We were involved in the development of the Integrity Management toolbox for water utilities from day 1. By testing, adapting and complementing the integrity management approach in Albania both on the ground and at a strategic level, we took this work to the next level. The activities we carry out are:
Explore and discover
We started to develop and conduct baseline assessments to measure the integrity of water utilities. Moreover, we help reflect on progress made by evaluating the integrity actions taken at the utility level using quantitative and qualitative methods.
Co-create and design
We worked closely with SECO and KfW to adapt the IM approach to provide a suitable tool to complement the overall programme design.
Empower
To facilitate a localised IM process, we trained and engaged four Albanian Integrity Management coaches to support implementation at the first five utilities.
During the second phase, we capacitate the institutional consultant under the Water Sector Performance and Investment Program to yield more systemic impact.
Reach and connect
The work with the first five utilities was systematically analysed, documented and disseminated. This formed the basis to improve the IM approach for the subsequent project phases. Through strategic backstopping, we now aim to bring the key learnings into national-level policy processes to institutionalise Integrity Management as a critical success factor for developing the Albanian water sector.
Are you interested in improving the performance of water utilities or using Integrity Management to develop a more sustainable investment programme? Get in touch!
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