As part of the capacity development measures aimed to strengthen the partner LGAs and APUCs of the Regional Capacity Development Network on water and sanitation services (RCDN), a training in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) was organised in Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on 4 and 5 December 2018.

18 participants, including the RCDN Focal Points and members of the Project Implementation Team (PIT) were part of the training that explored the importance and use of M&E as part of the Result-Based Management. The training focused on the details of the RCDN M&E system, including detailed indicators, data collection tools, templates and reporting requirements.

Participants took part in an interactive exercises in a form of a data collection and reporting competitions, that illustrated all phases and tips and tricks of data collection and reporting, but also strengthened the team work and spirit.

The training was delivered by Svetlana Zdravkovska from GIZ and Jelena Janevska from NALAS and was logistically supported by the Association of Local Authorities of the Republic of Srpska.

"Understanding the importance and relevance of M&E is just an added value in project management and implementation and ensures achievement of the intended changes", said Ms. Zdravkovska.

“This training has proved that Monitoring and Evaluation, although important and serious in nature, shall not be overcomplicated and has to be tailored to the specific needs of the project and the implementing associations”, said Ms. Janevska.

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RCDN aims to increase effectiveness and efficiency of the water utilities in the Western Balkans, contributing to better service provision with larger numbers of population groups getting access to drinking water and sanitation services and meeting the European Union (EU) environmental Acquis Communautaire. To achieve this, RCDN has three key components: 1) Association Development, 2) Capacity Development Offer and Delivery and 3) Partnership and enabling Capacity Development Environment.

RCDN works with LGAs and APUCs in 6 project countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia), while the final beneficiaries are the top and middle managers from municipal and regional utility companies and officers in charge in municipalities. The project is managed by GIZ, on behalf of SECO and BMZ, and is implemented by a Project Implementation Team consisted of IAWD, Aquasan and NALAS.