Within the GWP network there are eight countries of Central Asia and Caucasus (CACENA) that have established the GWP CACENA region and 12 countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) that have established the GWP CEE region
After decades of Soviet Union influence, ten countries are today European Union (EU) members, while the remaining ten countries are influenced by EU water polices.
Water supply and sanitation is at the interface of humans, water resources and sustainable development.
In order to bring about balance between human needs and ecosystem functions political leadership is needed, capacity must be built and money has to be invested.
As an answer to regional needs, GWP CEE launched its book "Sustainable Sanitation in Central and Eastern Europe: Addressing the Needs of Small and Medium-size Settlements" in 2007.
In spring 2009 GWP CACENA will launch a study on the state of Water Supply and Sanitation in each of its eight member countries.
This Workshop aims at helping partners of the two GWP regions to position themselves in the context of water supply and sanitation for IWRM plan preparations and policy implementations, like the EU Water Framework Directive.
It also facilitates mainstreaming of GWP activities with other actors who are directly involved with water supply and sanitation.
The Workshop Goals:
- To discuss and agree on inter-regional cooperation to strengthen "intellectual capacity" to address WSS issues
- To create mechanisms to respond to critical challenges in WSS issues for CACENA countries based upon experience from CEE countries
- To assess existing tools and develop new tools regarding IWRM and WSS
- To share and provide technical support at all levels of the GWP network.