{"id":20071,"date":"2025-05-21T10:05:26","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T10:05:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/albanianwaterpartnership.org\/?page_id=20071"},"modified":"2025-07-10T14:21:22","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T14:21:22","slug":"eu-policy-alignment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/albanianwaterpartnership.org\/en\/eu-policy-alignment\/","title":{"rendered":"EU Policy alignment"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"20071\" class=\"elementor elementor-20071\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bb7b71a elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bb7b71a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bfd6b40\" data-id=\"bfd6b40\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1365bc2 animated-fast elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1365bc2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;opal-move-up&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Albanian Water Partnership is dedicated to ensuring Albania's compliance with EU water policies. Below are the key directives that guide our work.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-6041357 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6041357\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-2641dd4\" data-id=\"2641dd4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-614eada style-theme-humani-yes animated-fast elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"614eada\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;opal-move-up&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1021\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1021\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"humani-icon- humani-icon-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"humani-icon- humani-icon-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Water Framework Directive (2000\/60\/EC)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1021\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1021\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Water Framework Directive (WFD) establishes a legal framework for the protection and management of inland surface waters, groundwater, and coastal waters. It emphasizes the importance of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and a river basin approach. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to Decision No. 696, dated 30.10.2019, \u201cOn defining the territorial and hydrographic boundaries of water basins in the Republic of Albania,\u201d the country is divided into<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.qbz.gov.al\/eli\/vendim\/2019\/10\/30\/696\/1fc652f0-1b73-46b9-8586-1109e16ce36a;q=basene\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> seven main water basins<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the purpose of integrated water resources management.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Our Work:<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Implementing IWRM practices to support sustainable water governance.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engaging stakeholders, including local communities, policymakers, and water users, in decision-making processes.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Providing technical assistance to Albania\u2019s water management authorities.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1022\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1022\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"humani-icon- humani-icon-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"humani-icon- humani-icon-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Groundwater Directive (2006\/118\/EC)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1022\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1022\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This directive focuses on preventing and controlling groundwater pollution, ensuring high water quality for human consumption and ecosystem sustainability.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Our Work:<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promoting Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) such as wetlands and buffer zones to enhance groundwater filtration.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Developing groundwater monitoring programs to assess pollution risks.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Raising awareness on groundwater conservation among <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">businesses and agricultural stakeholders.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1023\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1023\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"humani-icon- humani-icon-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"humani-icon- humani-icon-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Drinking Water Directive (EU) 2020\/2184<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1023\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1023\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The recast Drinking Water Directive is the EU\u2019s main law ensuring that drinking water is safe, clean, and accessible for all. It strengthens health protection by updating water quality standards, expanding monitoring requirements, and reinforcing the obligation to prevent pollution at the source. The Directive applies to all water intended for human consumption\u2014whether supplied through a network, tanker, or bottle\u2014and to water used in food production.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our Work:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supporting infrastructure solutions that improve the quality and resilience of drinking water systems.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Providing training and awareness programs on water safety and quality monitoring.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assisting municipalities in aligning with EU drinking water standards.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promoting equitable access to safe drinking water in all communities.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1024\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1024\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"humani-icon- humani-icon-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"humani-icon- humani-icon-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (91\/271\/EEC)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1024\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1024\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This directive establishes guidelines for wastewater collection and treatment to prevent pollution and protect water bodies.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Our Work:<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promoting circular economy approaches, including wastewater reuse and nutrient recovery.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encouraging the use of decentralized and innovative wastewater treatment technologies.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Collaborating with local governments to implement wastewater treatment systems.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1025\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1025\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"humani-icon- humani-icon-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"humani-icon- humani-icon-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Floods Directive (2007\/60\/EC)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1025\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1025\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This directive aims to assess and manage flood risks to minimize damage to human health, the environment, and infrastructure. The Floods Directive has been transposed by the DCM No 1015 of 16.12.2020 \u201cOn the Content, Development and Implementation of National Water Strategies, of River Basin District Management Plans and of Flood Risk Management Plans\u201d and with the same DCM, the Directive 2009\/90\/EC on \u201ctechnical specifications for chemical analysis and monitoring of water status\u201d has been transposed.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Our Work:<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Implementing Nature-Based Solutions to enhance flood resilience.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Developing climate adaptation strategies for flood-prone areas.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engaging communities in flood risk awareness and preparedness programs.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1026\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1026\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"humani-icon- humani-icon-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"humani-icon- humani-icon-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Nitrates Directive (91\/676\/EEC)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1026\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1026\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Directive 91\/676\/EEC \u201cConcerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources,\u201d as amended by Regulations (EC) No. 1882\/2003 and No. 1137\/2008, aims to protect water quality by preventing nitrate pollution from agricultural sources and promoting the use of good agricultural practices.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Albania, the transposition of this directive is still at an early stage, with only four provisions incorporated into the national legislation so far.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Our Work:<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promoting sustainable agriculture techniques that reduce nitrate runoff.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Providing training for farmers on responsible fertilizer use.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encouraging integrated nutrient management strategies.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1027\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1027\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"humani-icon- humani-icon-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"humani-icon- humani-icon-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\"><a href=\"http:\/\/data.europa.eu\/eli\/dir\/2006\/7\/oj\"> Bathing Water Directive (2006\/7\/EC)<\/a><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1027\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1027\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This directive ensures that coastal and inland bathing waters meet high quality standards for public health and environmental protection. Bathing WatersDirective was completely transposed with DCM \u201cOn the approval of hygienic sanitary regulation\u201d and \u201cFor the management of bathing water quality\u201d, approved in 2010.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Our Work:<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conducting water quality monitoring in recreational waters.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promoting eco-friendly tourism practices to protect bathing sites.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advocating for improved wastewater treatment infrastructure near bathing areas.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><br \/><br \/><br \/><br \/><br \/><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39c74b1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"39c74b1\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c43a94 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7c43a94\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c0cf0fd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c0cf0fd\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-282fcd3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"282fcd3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Green Agenda<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac567c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ac567c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Green Agenda for the Western Balkans is a strategic initiative aimed at steering the region towards sustainable development and environmental resilience. Endorsed in 2020, it aligns with the European Green Deal&#8217;s objective of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The agenda focuses on five key pillars: Climate Action, Circular Economy, Depollution, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Production, Biodiversity Protection. Albania, as part of this regional commitment, has undertaken significant reforms to align with these pillars.\nThe country has developed a robust regulatory framework for water services and introduced institutional changes to enhance service delivery. Efforts are also underway to improve the operational and financial performance of water supply and sanitation utilities, aiming to provide universal access to safe and affordable drinking water by 2030.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b897739 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"b897739\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t  <h4>Water Resource Management: Key Developments and Gaps<\/h4>\r\n            <ul>\r\n                <li>A new Law on Water Resources (April 2024) was adopted to improve alignment with the Drinking Water Directive, Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, and Nitrates Directive.<\/li>\r\n                <li>By DCM No. 73, 7.2.2018 was approved the national strategy for the integrated management of water resources 2018-2027.<\/li>\r\n                <li>The new Law (No. 15\/2024) on the Strategy for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Republic of Albania which partially aligns with Directive 2008\/56\/EC (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) establishes the framework for developing and implementing Albania\u2019s Marine Environment Protection Strategy.<\/li>\r\n                <li>River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) were approved for Drini-Buna, Seman, Ishmi, Erzeni, and Mati rivers, while plans for Shkumbini and Vjosa rivers are still pending. For Drini-Buna and Seman RBMPs the second cycle of management plan is in progress while the water resources management issues document for Vjosa river is finalised and published for public consultation.<\/li>\r\n                <li>Flood hazard maps have been completed for 96% of flood-prone areas, while flood risk maps cover 84% of such regions.<\/li>\r\n                <li>By DCM No. 499, date 1.8.2024 was approved the Flood Risk Management Plan for Specific Areas Prone to Flooding or at Risk of Potential Flooding, Covering Drin-Buna 4, 5, and 6. (2024-2030).<\/li>\r\n                <li>The National Strategy for Water Supply and Sewage (2023-2030) was adopted, but water supply and sanitation services remain insufficient, requiring increased funding, institutional capacity, and implementation mechanisms.<\/li>\r\n                <li>Approximately 20% of the rural population lacks piped water access at home, and many utilities remain financially dependent on central government support. Additionally, the sector struggles with issues such as fragmentation of service providers, weak managerial and technical capacities, and high non-revenue water losses.<\/li>\r\n                <li>A national water monitoring program is needed to improve coordination and ensure compliance with EU standards.<\/li>\r\n            <\/ul>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70b5422 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"70b5422\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fedf47d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fedf47d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d06583 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6d06583\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action by the United Nations to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030. There are 17 goals and 169 targets, covering a broad range of issues\u2014from health and education to climate action and sustainable use of natural resources.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Why do SDGs matter for water?<\/strong><\/p><p>Water is at the heart of sustainable development. Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) is specifically dedicated to ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. However, water also supports goals on poverty, hunger, health, energy, cities, climate, and biodiversity.<\/p><p>Albania has integrated the SDGs into its national development strategies, including through the Water Resources Integrated Management Strategy (2018\u20132027). Through a focus on sustainable, inclusive, and equitable water governance, the strategy contributes directly to environmental protection, social well-being, and economic development. Specifically:<\/p><p><strong>SDG 5 \u2013 Gender Equality<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>The strategy promotes equal access to water services, emphasizing non-discrimination in decision-making, service delivery, and participation in water management.<\/li><li>It encourages the involvement of women in water governance processes and in community consultations during river basin planning and implementation.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>SDG 6 \u2013 Clean Water and Sanitation<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>By aiming to expand equitable access to safe drinking water, particularly in rural and marginalized areas.<\/li><li>Through improving sanitation services and integrating wastewater management into urban development.<\/li><li>By promoting water-use efficiency across sectors, especially agriculture, through irrigation modernization and measuring.<\/li><li>With the adoption of river basin management plans and integrated water resources management (IWRM), the strategy provides a legal and institutional framework for coordinated water governance.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>SDG 13 \u2013 Climate Action<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>The strategy includes measures for risk management of droughts and floods, and promotes awareness on water-related climate impacts. It also supports the development of monitoring systems and early warning mechanisms.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>SDG 14 \u2013 Life Below Water<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>It supports the reduction of pollution into marine ecosystems by improving urban wastewater treatment and protecting coastal and marine waters through legislation and planning.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>SDG 15 \u2013 Life on Land<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>The strategy contributes to the protection of freshwater ecosystems and their sustainable use, aligning with actions to prevent degradation of land and protect biodiversity in river basins and wetlands.<\/li><\/ul><p><a class=\"button\" style=\"display: inline-block; padding: 10px 20px; background-color: #369dbf; color: white; text-decoration: none; border-radius: 5px;\" href=\"\/index.php\/laws-policies\/\"><i class=\"fas fa-download\" style=\"margin-right: 8px;\"><\/i>Download Strategy<br \/><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Albanian Water Partnership is dedicated to ensuring Albania&#8217;s compliance with EU water policies. Below are the key directives that guide our work. Water Framework Directive (2000\/60\/EC) The Water Framework Directive (WFD) establishes a legal framework for the protection and management of inland surface waters, groundwater, and coastal waters. It emphasizes the importance of Integrated [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-20071","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v25.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>EU Policy alignment - Albanian Water Partnership<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/albanianwaterpartnership.org\/en\/eu-policy-alignment\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"EU Policy alignment\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Albanian Water Partnership is dedicated to ensuring Albania&#8217;s compliance with EU water policies. Below are the key directives that guide our work. Water Framework Directive (2000\/60\/EC) The Water Framework Directive (WFD) establishes a legal framework for the protection and management of inland surface waters, groundwater, and coastal waters. 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