Assistance to ISPA Unit of the Ministry for the elaboration of priority criteria according to ISPA strategy, and list fixing of projects to be included in the pipeline for 2004-2006. Elaboration of Terms of reference for various service contracts, and assistance to the Ministry to improve quality of the documents submitted to ISPA Committee by ISPA Beneficiary entities.

The rehabilitation Programme treated hydraulic infrastructures and environmental protection (small barrages, rivers regulation, banks protection, drainage canals, sewerage and water supply networks) damaged by the catastrophic floods of September 2002.

Critical review of existing feasibility studies. Assessment of the capacity of the beneficiary communities to support the planned investments applying a global affordability methodology. Preparation of specific guidelines to be used in future ISPA applications.

Revision of tender documents related to sewerage networks and WWTPs, with the objective of ensuring fair and transparent service and works tenders in conformity with PRAG rules and FIDIC Contractual Conditions.

The mission concerns six environmental ISPA projects in Slovakia providing new or upgraded wastewater treatment plants, and associated upgrading or extensions to sewerage networks. Description of the existing institutional structure and analysis of the possibilities to implement a Public-Private partnership scheme (PPP) to operate and manage public water and sanitation services at regional level.