Water and Sewerage Programme

North Macedonia has embarked on a programme of water and sewerage improvements in medium-sized cities. The aim is to improve the living conditions of the people in the participating municipalities and to improve public water services wider afield so ensuring a sustainable supply of drinking water at socially acceptable costs. The programme is divided into two phases, together with an additional interim phase, whereby access to the interim phase (= Phase 1 Step 2) and the second phase is conditional on the achievement of specific performance indicators in Phase 1. Construction activities of Phase 1 Step 1 have been completed and the investment programme for Phase 1 Step 2 is currently being prepared.

Eight municipalities took part in Phase 1 Step 1: Bitola, Gevgelija, Gostivar, Kavadarci, Kolani, Negotino, Radovis, and Tetovo. Phase 1 Step 1 had limited investment funds, up to EUR 6.4 million and based on up to EUR 65 per house connected, for identified priority improvements with immediate impact. Typical initiatives were improvements to water supply by the installation of measuring and regulation equipment e.g. bulk and house water meters, as well as procurement of necessary hardware and software to improve the public utilities companies’ (PUC) overall performance and financial standing. The institutional strengthening measures within Phase 1 Step 1 were successfully completed in 2013.

Three well performing PUCs (Gostivar, Kavadarci and Radovis) from Phase 1 Step 1 can access additional funds in the interim phase (= Phase 1 Step 2) under very favourable conditions amounting to a total of around EUR 3.0 million. Additional grant funds of up to EUR 4.5 million from shall be provided to the PUC in Gostivar by SECO (Switzerland) for additional investments. Additional EUR 1.2 million will be provided by the Macedonian government and the municipality of Gostivar for investments and consulting services. KfW will allocate EUR 0.25 million grant funds for additional institutional support of the PUC Gostivar who will implement the largest investment package.

It is in the interim phase (Phase 1 Step 2) that WBIF’s support will be applied. The grant is to be used to finance technical assistance supporting the application of funds of the interim phase. The support will include: review final designs for Gostivar, prepare project designs for Kavadarci and Radovis, assist with tendering and supervise the implementation of the works (only in Kavadarci and Radovis). Additional Consulting services will be provided to PUC Gostivar from SECO grant funds (implementation supervision) and KfW/the municipality (institutional support).

The programme puts heavy emphasis on ensuring successful project implementation and sustainability. A two-pronged approach is used: i) applying incentives whereby successful municipalities are rewarded, and ii) support with technical advice targeted at strengthening the PIU management and administration.