ARCADIS & UN-HABITAT: Water Management: Insights and Outcomes from the Shelter Academy 2024

The Shelter Academy is a pioneering capacity development initiative established through the partnership between UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) and Arcadis. For over a decade, this unique programme has been helping cities adapt to climate change and improve their resilience through intensive training, knowledge exchange and hands-on learning. The Academy brings together senior officials and political leaders with international experts to develop practical solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation in their communities.

From 9 to 11 December 2024, last year's edition of the Shelter Academy gathered 14 participants from six Ukrainian municipalities — Makariv, Stryi, Truskavets, Drohobych, Kryvyi Rih, and Zaporizhzhia — in Krakow, Poland. Co-hosted by Wodociągi Miasta Krakowa S.A. (Krakow Water), the Academy specifically focused on water management and infrastructure to support Ukraine's recovery efforts, marking another step toward developing stronger, more resilient communities.

Key highlights of the Shelter Academy

The Academy brought together international water management experts from various entities who shared their knowledge and practical water management solutions through engaging sessions and discussions. Activities included:

• Explored EU Water Regulations with experts from Aqua Publica Europea, Hungarian Water Partnership, and Krakow Water.

• Discovered global water utility partnerships and exchange programmes through UN-Habitat / Global Water Operators'​ Partnerships Alliance/UN-Habitat (GWOPA) and Mykolaiv Water Hub, identifying opportunities for Ukrainian utilities to collaborate with international peers.

• Examined investment planning and funding strategies with Arcadis, UNICEF Ukraine, and Mykolaiv Water Hub (MWH), focusing on approaches to secure sustainable financing for water infrastructure projects.

• Studied master planning approaches for sanitation and drinking water systems with UN-Habitat and Arcadis.

• Experienced advanced treatment processes firsthand at the Płaszów Sewage Treatment Plant and within the Krakow Water system, demonstrating modern technologies for effective and sustainable urban water management.

Key Takeaways

The heart of the Academy laid in rich discussions between participants and experts, who openly shared their experiences and collaborated on solutions for Ukraine's water sector challenges.

Ukrainian municipalities are grappling with multiple interconnected challenges. The foundation of their water systems — aging infrastructure requiring urgent replacement — is further strained by war-related damage to treatment plants and distribution networks. This is compounded by seasonal water quality issues requiring costly treatment solutions, while utility companies struggle with limited budgets and tariffs that don't cover basic operational costs. The sector also faces a critical shortage of skilled personnel across all technical areas.

Participants explored how modernizing networks with remote metering and data-driven management could help address infrastructure issues while improving service delivery. They discussed creative approaches to funding, combining various financial instruments with international partnerships to support critical investments. The discussions also highlighted the importance of building system resilience through emergency preparedness measures, while ensuring financial sustainability through balanced tariff policies.

One clear message emerged from all discussions: the path to sustainable, high-quality water services in Ukraine will be built on strong partnerships, both domestic and international.

These collaborations will be essential in bridging the gap between emergency responses and long-term sustainable solutions.

The Academy's impact is best reflected through participant feedback, which highlighted three main areas of value:

1. Technical Excellence and Practical Learning Participants particularly valued the Krakow water treatment plant sessions and site visit, rating them as "extremely valuable." The combination of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience provided actionable insights for their municipalities.

2. Knowledge Exchange and Network Building The Academy created an environment that fostered meaningful dialogue between Ukrainian utilities and international experts. Participants especially appreciated the opportunity to share experiences and build connections that will support future collaboration.

3. Comprehensive Approach to Water Management From EU regulations to investment planning, participants found significant value in understanding both immediate solutions and long-term strategies for sustainable water management. The sessions on specific Ukrainian water challenges were particularly relevant for developing tailored approaches.

UN-Habitat expresses gratitude for collaborating with Arcadis and Krakow Water in the Shelter Academy 2024 event and thanks all participants and experts.

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Republished from UN-Habitat Ukraine (CC)