Training
RENEUER coordinators from the 8 countries meet to share experiences, problems, and ideas on topics ranging from social protection to project financing.
In the effort for local capacity building, RENEUER provides training for local officials on everything from the basic concepts of energy and water management to long-range energy planning (depending on the needs and level of experience in each country).
For the training, EnEffect and the Alliance bring together senior-level municipal representatives (mayor, deputy mayor) for a half-day introductory session, followed by another two days of training for middle-level management. This approach helps strengthen political support while building technical capacity of the city managers.
The overall approach varies from country to country depending on need. In general, the trainings include a wide number of municipalities, narrowing down further in the process to cities which were most committed to implementing certain reforms and to preparing projects for financing.
The training consists of the following:
- One day informational session conducted in different sections of the country. The sessions describe the basics of energy and water management using examples of projects implemented in other countries - leak detection, water and heat metering, (in terms of improving consumer payment), controls, street lighting, examples of tariff reform, and examples of low-cost improvements in municipal buildings. The session emphasizes the importance of data collection, explains how cities can better monitor energy expenses.
- A survey that requests municipal representatives to propose potential projects, and to list training topics in which they would be further interested. The survey would also ask basic questions on the financial status of the city and its major utilities.