19-09-2012 by the EU Working Book.

 

Twenty decision makers from more than a dozen Palestinian municipalities and central government recently took part in a three-day workshop in Ramallah on “Developing Sustainable Pro-poor Financing Strategies for Municipalities”, organised in the framework of the Horizon 2020 Capacity Building/ Mediterranean Environment Programme (H2020 CB/MEP).

The course, also attended by professionals from water and sewerage associations and water authorities, focused on identifying the situation on the ground, as well as the actual role of an institutional framework within which municipalities operate in the fields of solid waste, water, wastewater and sanitation. Participants were introduced to a number of local case studies, to illustrate the situation on the ground, as well as to the concept of objective oriented planning, as a tool for better wastewater management.

Conventional and new technologies for wastewater treatment and the emerging opportunities regarding the synergies between solid waste and wastewater treatment, etc. were also presented. The agricultural use of treated wastewater, and the concept of re-use and cost effectiveness were also among the issues addressed, taking into consideration EU and international standards and guidelines.
The final day was devoted to the financial management for wastewater, with a special focus on financing instruments, tariff policies for cost recovery, pro-poor financing and the introduction of the “polluter-pays” principle.

By bringing together professionals with a variety of backgrounds, the course provided an opportunity to share experiences and challenges between different areas and contributed to a lasting pool of expertise.