From 3-7 June 2024, in Budva, Montenegro, NALAS organised a Training of Trainers (ToT) for Master Trainers, within the Regional Capacity Development Network for Water and Sanitation Services (RCDN).

“In our efforts to strengthen the capacities of the water and sanitation services professionals for the provision of high-quality local services, the training centres of the Local Government Associations (LGAs) and the Associations of Public Utility Companies (APUCs) play a key role. Thus, thus enhancing their pool of trainers is a paramount”, says Ms. Jelena Janevska, NALAS Program Director.

RCDN team selected seven experienced trainers from local governments, public utility companies and their associations, who during the week in Budva upgraded their competences and were equipped with the techniques and methodologies for designing and delivering Training of Trainers. These trainers will be a great resource of the national associations in expanding their pools of trainers through the mobilisation of ambitious water professionals.

“Although I have delivered many trainings, this one was very special and totally different. We were put in the shoes of future trainers of trainers, through all steps of the training design and choosing the right methods to ensure a great ToT”, said Ms. Evis Gjebrea, one of the trainees and a Deputy General Director of Tirana Water and Sewage Utility.

“This was inspiring, dynamic, and demanding training. It brought me back almost a decade ago, when I attended my first ToT”, said Ms. Zorana Petrovic, Coordinator for International Cooperation of the Association for Water Technology and Sanitary Engineering (UTVSI). “It was, on the other hand, quite new and interesting, full of energy. At the same time, it was nice to see and take part together with both promising young and familiar faces”.

The ToT was delivered by Ms. Jelena Janevska and Mr. Miodrag Kolic from NALAS and Mr. Zvonko Naumoski from GIZ, who once again showed their dedication, passion and unselfishness in sharing knowledge. In the upcoming month, the master trainers, supported by NALAS and GIZ staff, will design and deliver series of ToTs in local languages to over 30 water professionals from the Western Balkans.