The Horizon 2020 study on a Hot Spot inventory for the West Balkans and Turkey, which started in September 2010, has already begun to produce results. Missions have taken place to all countries involved, and all the projects listed in the 2005 National Action Plans have been updated. 85% of the Hot Spots in the field of solid waste and waste water have already secured funding and are in various stages of progress, with some already completed.
The Horizon 2020 study on a Hot Spot inventory for the West Balkans and Turkey (as complementary to the MeHSIP) which started on the 15th of September 2010, is now producing results. Missions have taken place to all countries involved, and all the projects listed in the 2005 National Action Plans have been updated. Discussions took place with stakeholders in each country, including, apart from government representatives, municipalities, and representatives of the international financing institutions. Results show that in the field of solid waste and waste water, on average 85% of the Hot Spots have found funding, and are in various stages of progress, or are completed. However, many still have some funding gaps, while polluting discharges from small and scattered communities still need a regional strategy to make their reduction affordable. Pollution from industries is reduced from 2005, but will be harder to turn into bankable projects as long as they are affected by issues such as slow privatisation, ownership, compliance and economic growth. The study will propose country-specific strategies to help with this problem. Finally, the study has identified some regional issues for technical assistance, and noted willingness by governments to undertake regional projects to reduce pollution in the Adriatic sea.
