The training was successfully carried out at the European Investment Bank (EIB) premises in Luxembourg in collaboration with the “Mediterranean Hot Spots Initiative-Project Preparation and Implementation Facility (MeHSIP-PPIF)” – another EU project - to strengthen the capacity of the public sector in mobilizing  resources for depollution investments and private sector participation, with a special focus on investments that will reduce pollution from land-based sources in the Mediterranean Sea, the key objective of the Euromed Horizon 2020 initiative.

A total of 20 participants from Algeria, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia representing Ministries related to Water, Interior, Planning, Finance, and representatives from the private sector, such as banks, attended the event.

Experts from EIB, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), MeHSIP-PPIF and SWIM-SM shared their knowledge on how to mobilize resource for pollution reduction through International Financing Institutions (IFIs) and Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). The training covered practical aspects from the preparation of a bankable project up to its implementation and the different aspects of PPPs such as types of PPPs, required conditions, how to prepare a project for funding, elements of good contracts, the involvement of different stakeholders, risks and risk sharing. Practical tools were also presented, like an investment modelling spreadsheet, to be used as a tool for a quick assessment of project finances and feasibility.

Field experiences from Algeria, Israel, Jordan, Palestine and Tunisia were presented and discussed. These included a wastewater treatment plant project in Palestine and its financing and the Algerian experience with private operators.

Assessments on the current situation related to Private Sector Participation (PSP) in water infrastructure in Lebanon and Egypt, and a project on governance and financing for the Mediterranean water sector, implemented by OECD and Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean (GWP-MED) in the framework of the Union for the Mediterranean, were presented.  The PSP assessments identified gaps, needs and recommendations for improving private sector involvement in financing water infrastructure in the focus countries.  The same assessment process, for financing and governance, will be followed in other countries under the UfM labelled project.

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