Our relationships with local municipalities and service providers are particularly strong as we've undertaken several capacity building projects to help improve their services.
Water and environment
In earlier years we worked on landmark projects funded by the UK's Department for International Development to help municipalities and water companies strengthen capability in preparing water and wastewater projects for funding.
In addition to improving general funding agency application procedures, we helped with master planning, environmental impact assessment and economic and financial analysis for two municipalities applying for ISPA funding. We also worked on the Municipal Utilities Development Programme to improve local water and wastewater infrastructure in 15 cities.
Appointed by Romania’s Ministry of European Integration, we have been helping deliver a programme for transforming services provision and investment in sustainable water and wastewater across the country. This €1.8 million EU-funded project is the first phase of the government’s long-term development initiative to assist small and medium towns to improve urban infrastructure.
Buildings
Our building experts have been involved with many projects ranging from new builds to major refurbishments, undertaking roles including financial and technical feasibility studies, design management and construction supervision. At the same time we have been steadily expanding our service offering for industrial customers – engineering and project managing non-sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing plants.
Education
Our local education team contributes a range of services, such as assisting with educational policy, institutional capacity building and human resources development. Its primary aims are to support and promote the improvement of public education in Romania, equal chances for learning plus a broader community involvement in school life.
We supplied technical assistance to help Romania develop its Technical and Vocational Education and Training system. The system is designed to contribute to economic and social stability by providing a highly skilled workforce that meets the needs of the economy.
Responsible sewage sludge disposal
Following Romania’s huge investment in wastewater treatment, the volume of sewage sludge created is growing hugely. Until now it has been disposed of at landfill sites but we have been working on behalf of the government to devise a strategy to guide management of this waste. Alternatives identified for its use include fuelling cement kilns and waste to energy power plants, as well as being spread on agricultural land to replenish and improve soil. It is planned that 50% will be disposed of on agricultural land by 2019 with the remaining 50% being used by waste to energy power plants in the following decade.