DLDP Center of Competence on urban waste sector – study visit in Slovenia

During October 24-26th, 2016, the Decentralization and Local Development Program (DLDP) organized a study visit in Slovenia. The main focus of this visit was the urban waste management. DLDP choose Slovenia as an EU-member regional country with a very high quality of providing public services that also has positive practices in setting up public enterprises, high degree of waste recycling and service financing.

Participants in this study visit were members of the dldp Center of Competence in the urban waste sector. Centers of Competences are platforms where local experts share and exchange experience, knowledge and achievements, increasing their technical and managerial capacities. Part of the delegation were also representatives from the municipalities of Berat Qark, where the Swiss Government, through SECO, will finance a large project on urban waste management, representatives from Rrogozhinë, Peqin and Himarë municipalities, where GIZ has initiated a project on urban waste management, representatives from Environment Ministry and State Minister on Local Affairs, as well as from the Prime Minister Office, the Coordinator on Environment issues. The objectives of this visit, except exposing the members of the Center of Competence with best models and practices in our region, were also strengthening the capacities and networking of local experts, increase of exchanges local government – national government, and also enriching the planning process – started in dldp partner municipalities – with findings and teachings from the most advanced experiences and practices.

During the three days of the visit, participants got to know the legislation on waste in Slovenia, sharing of competencies between municipalities and companies offering the service, financing of the service or objectives to increase the recycling degree up to “Zero waste!”. From the look of it, it was clear that Slovenian municipalities have been well-funded in the recent 10 – 15 years. This was not due to some direct input from outside, but from a very clear vision of the political establishment of the unit and a high degree of awareness of the employees in these units.

The visit in RCERO plant, in Ljubljana, left a good impression on the visiting team. Put to service in 2015 after a huge 120 million euro investment, the state-of-the-art plant besides treating waste produces bio-gas and green energy. 

Of great interest for the delegation were the meetings held with representatives of Slovenska Bistrica municipality, which has problems, possibilities and infrastructures similar with the typical unit in Albania. The mayor, Dr. Ivan Žagar,  and the director of the communal enterprise (the company for managing urban waste, water utility, greenery, public lightning and road maintenance), Mr. Blaž Gregorič, presented their experience, on how a small municipality like theirs managed to advance immensely in the field of urban waste management. “Only 20 years ago we also faced the acute problems of waste management, as your country is facing now”- said Dr. Žagar. “We worked hard to implement IPA-funded EU projects and then other projects, in order to make possible the improvements in infrastructure and offering services. “The citizens come first – this is our motto in offering the services”- adds Mr. Blaž Gregorič.

The next station in the visit of the Albanian delegation was Maribor city, the second city in Slovenia after the capital. Here, the director of municipal public services, Mr. Vili Eisenhut, presented the link of the municipality with the municipal enterprise, while Eng. Branko Kosi, from Snaga Maribor, presented besides the effects of the circular economy, the organization and vision of the company, as well as the project on constructing of a powerful plant for separating and processing waste.

The delegation from Albania closed its visit by having a very positive impression about the progress Slovenia has made in the sector of urban waste management. “Awareness, investments, management and transparency”- were the keywords accompanying Albanian experts during their visit in municipalities and municipal enterprises of Ljubljana, Slovenska Bistraca and Maribor.