For Cape Verde's Ministry of Infrastructure and with financing from the EU's ninth European Development Fund (EDF), STELLA designed with Hydea a system of integrated solid waste management for the six municipalities of the Island of Santiago in Cape Verde. STELLA assessed the quantities of waste generated on the island and the equipment and infrastructure currently used to manage the waste. After identifying the current and future needs of the municipalities, STELLA proposed the creation of an inter-municipal autonomous structure that would collect and treat the waste generated by the six municipalities. This new structure will be in charge of managing three new controlled landfills and over 20 rubbish disposal trucks. STELLA proposed various options to finance the new structure and ensure full-cost recovery (tax on imported packaging and tariffs paid by shops and residents). STELLA also recommended the launch of a public awareness campaign to encourage residents to dispose of their rubbish in the proper containers. Finally, STELLA recommended a new system to safely dispose of medical waste and to study the feasibility of segregating and recycling paper, glass, plastic, and aluminium.

For Romania's Ministry of Environment and Water Management (MEWM) and with financing from the PHARE programme, STELLA provided the team leader, financing expert, and expert in charge of industrial pollution prevention and control. STELLA staff assessed the costs associated with the implementation of EU environmental directives and evaluated the financial needs for this implementation. STELLA developed tools to facilitate the implementation of EU environmental directives (cost benefit analysis, development of cost recovery mechanism, least cost-analysis of environmental law implementation). STELLA also elaborated a sound environmental financing strategy with sector and regional priorities, possible funding sources, and models for preparing feasible environmental investment projects. We analysed MEWM's training needs for environmental implementation and trained MEWM staff in relation to the activities of the project. STELLA also developed matrices of unit costs for the heavy investment directives, in particular, the urban wastewater treatment, drinking water, landfill, and waste management directives. We have developed the list of priority projects to be financed by ISPA and the EU Cohesion funds using various criteria such as the financial capacity for public services. The project has trained MEWM staff and staff from the local and regional Environmental Protection Agencies.

For the Government of Ukraine, the Council for Approximation of Legislation chaired by the Prime Minister of Ukraine, STELLA, as partner of the Ukrainian-European Policy and Legal Advice Centre (UEPLAC) supported Ukraine in the process of European integration and legal approximation. The overall objective of the project was to support the understanding, implementation, and ownership by the Ukrainian authorities of the whole process of approximation to EU principles and laws in all of the areas foreseen in the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and in the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan. The specific objectives were to assist in preparing approximated legislation work, strengthen the Ukrainian policy-making/legislative process according to Ukraine's objective for EU integration, and build Ukrainian capacity in understanding and being able to implement the process of approximating Ukrainian legislation to EU legislation. STELLA assessed the Ukrainian legislation in the environmental field against EU environmental acquis communautaire. We carried out a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) of transposing and implementing the EU acquis on road transport in the Ukrainian legislation for the Ukrainian road haulers. We also provided policy recommendations on the integration of energy and environment policies into transport policies in light of the EU directives and experiences of the New Member States and gave our expert opinion and legal support on draft laws by comparing with the EU acquis and best practices. We have also reviewed the Ukrainian legislation on drinking water quality and river protection, and analysed the sustainability of Ukraine's legal system and the measures and needs for more approximation. Finally, STELLA has advised line ministries on strengthening environmental policies and prepared Ukraine's environmental policy for 2020. We have participated and organised workshops, work meetings, and round tables to provide expert advice on environmental protection policies.

STELLA provided the financial/economic expert for this project financed by the World Bank to provide technical assistance to the Budget Department of Romania's Ministry of Environment and Water Management (MEWM). STELLA facilitated continued improvements in the identification, costing, and prioritisation of MEWM's budgetary programmes. We ensured the development of links between the work of the budget department within MEWM and the National Development Plan work in the Ministry of Public Finance, in such a way that any projects or activities that will benefit from EU post-accession funds are fully reflected in the budget submissions. We also developed and integrated financial management and audit standards to follow up the quality/outcome of the financed budget programmes and the efficiency of MEWM's spending. We worked on strengthening MEWM's budget analysis to ensure that MEWM can effectively analyse policy options in the submitted budgets; we assisted in developing strategic planning processes and a strategic plan on the environment component for the next Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period.

For the Managing Authority (MA) of the Sectoral Operational Programme (SOP) for the Environment under Romania's Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MESD), STELLA assessed the financial and technical soundness of waste and water infrastructure projects to be co-financed by the Cohesion and Structural Funds and in compliance with the EU environmental directives. One of the issues studied was the impact of the definition of agglomeration under the wastewater treatment directive (91/271/CEE). The project strengthened MA's institutional capacity to perform a sound overall programming and monitoring of EU co-financed projects in Romania and to use efficiently and effectively the funds made available. Through on-the-job co-operation, elaboration of methodologies and staff training, this project reinforced the capacity of MA staff to prepare sound project plans, guide municipalities on the preparation of project proposals, appraise and prioritise project proposals, evaluate project applications and tender documents, manage efficiently the process of evaluation, and monitor the implementation of approved projects. STELLA revised waste and water infrastructure projects' documents such as master plans, feasibility studies, EIA and cost-benefit and sensitivity analyses, and corrected and improved the applications. We also reviewed and edited 11 Cohesion and Structural Fund applications for water and waste projects and revised tender documents according to FIDIC's yellow and red books. At the end of our project, DG Regio had approved almost 1 billion euros worth of water projects.

STELLA assisted the regional and national environmental authorities - Ministry of Development, Public Works, and Housing (MDPWH) and Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MESD) - with the proper and timely implementation of an environmental infrastructure grant scheme for local authorities. The objective of this project was to improve environmental protection at the local and regional levels through supporting investments for the public sector and strengthening the institutional capacity to manage grant schemes and future structural funds. STELLA increased the number of local authorities aware of the opportunities offered by the grant scheme for financing small environmental infrastructure projects. We also increased the number of bankable environmental infrastructure projects proposed to ensure a complete absorption of the EC funds available. Furthermore, we trained members of the Regional Evaluation Committees for evaluating and selecting projects; we trained staff from MDPWH, MESD, Regional Environmental Protection Agencies (REPAs), Local Environmental Protection Agencies (LEPAs), and Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) in monitoring the grants. We also trained the beneficiaries of the investment grant schemes in all aspects required for the sound implementation of the grant contracts, including secondary procurement and monitoring. STELLA also assisted local authorities in preparing tender documents for environmental infrastructure projects, such as master plans, feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments and economic and financial analysis. Through the raised awareness of the relevant regional and local authorities, this project has supported the implementation of the environmental infrastructure investment grant scheme for the public sector at the regional and local levels.

Each year between 2008 and 2011, STELLA successfully implemented 28 Information Sessions on behalf of the European Commission and in collaboration with the EU Member States. Annually, we organised one Session in each EU Member State and two in Belgium. The Information Sessions aimed to inform potential beneficiaries about the LIFE+ Programme, whether it is the best financing programme for their project, how to submit a good proposal, and how to manage a LIFE+ project. Each Session was conducted in the official language of the Member State (with the exception of Ireland and Malta, where the Sessions were in English) and included an official Presentation approved by the European Commission, and presentations by the national LIFE+ contact points and successful LIFE / LIFE+ projects. Over the past four years, the Information Sessions have reached annually up to 2,700 potential LIFE+ applicants across Europe, and the high quality LIFE+ PowerPoint Presentation and other materials reached an even wider audience via the European Commission LIFE website.

STELLA provided the team leader for this project investigating the strengths and weaknesses of the waste utilities in Pristina, Mitrovica, Gjilan, Ferizaj, Gjakova, Prizren, and Peja regions. The team focussed on two main areas essential for an effective waste management in Kosovo: (1) organisational and operational support; and (2) financial management support. STELLA staff (i) assessed the organisational, operational, and financial management of waste utilities and recommended administrative/institutional changes and financial measures to improve services; (ii) enhanced "customer contracts" and compliance with the rules of the Water and Waste Regulatory Office (WWRO) while including women and minorities without discrimination; (iii) improved the procedures to maintain infrastructure; (iv) assessed, improved, and extended the collection routes, including in rural areas; (v) improved the maintenance of computer systems and staff training; (vi) established financial control mechanisms; (vii) assessed and improved billing; and (viii) prepared a development plan.

STELLA implemented a project funded under ASIA-LINK, one of the Commission's Asia-wide Programmes. The goal of the project was to develop a curriculum on low-cost wastewater treatment for higher education in Europe and Asia. The project has: (i) strengthened the analytical and training capacity of higher education institutions in Asia (China and Vietnam) and Europe (Denmark and Belgium) by training MSc level students with the most up-to-date knowledge in low-cost wastewater treatment and environmental economics; (ii) assisted in developing curricula worldwide on low-cost wastewater treatment and environmental economics and in disseminating information through a network of higher learning institutions and former students; and (iii) established links among partners allowing the development of more contacts in education and research. The project developed new approaches, methods, and analytical tools to help integrate the environment into the decision-making process and influence the choice of appropriate policies. The project resulted in a complete curriculum, already tested and improved. Professors were trained and have now received all of the teaching materials required to repeat this experience later on. One of the outcomes is a strengthened capacity and awareness of professionals in economic concepts and methods to estimate environmental benefits and conduct cost-benefit analyses.

STELLA participated in the preparation of a financing proposal for the decentralisation and restructuring of the Aden National Water and Sanitation Authority (NWSA) branch and five sub-branches. A team of three experts went to Aden and the towns covered by the Aden NWSA sub-branches to meet with key stakeholders in Yemen. The formulation team assessed the current situation of the NWSA (management structure, staffing, technical capacity, financial situation), estimated the current and future population's needs for water supply and sanitation, and identified the institutional and technical needs of Aden NWSA branch and sub-branches. The team developed a project proposal describing the objectives and contents of the upcoming project, including its main activities, specific tasks, a preliminary timetable, and a cost estimate.

STELLA staff supported the Government of Fiji in improving Fiji's solid waste management (SWM). STELLA assisted the Department of Energy (DOE) in mitigating the environmental impact of the closure of the Lami Dump and in managing the Naboro landfill. We supervised the construction of a new cell of the Naboro landfill and assisted DOE in preparing a new concession contract for operating the Naboro landfill. We also executed detailed/final design and prepared tender documents for rehabilitating the Lami dump, and conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment of the rehabilitation of the Lami Dump. We provided DOE with institutional strengthening, capacity building, and training in SWM and prepared and implemented public information campaigns. Finally, we studied the feasibility of a transfer station in the Suva area.

STELLA is assisting Romania's Government in its implementation of its Environment Sectoral Operational Programme (SOP ENV). In this new 1.16 million EUR project, STELLA is in the Interdevelopment consortium in charge of assisting Romania's Intermediate Bodies (IB) in evaluating the proposals submitted by various institutions in response to the calls for proposals under SOP ENV's Priority Axis 4 (nature and biodiversity). We will summarise the results of this assistance in technical reports on the selection of projects under PA 4. STELLA is also organising a large number of training sessions on project cycle management, cost-benefit analysis, nature conservation and management of Natura 2000 sites and protected areas, legislation, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). These sessions use interactive-oriented training methods (e.g., questions and answers and discussions) and engage the trainees to work on practical exercises. The training sessions include five four-day and five three-day sessions with 30 participants per session and 24 one-day sessions with 40 participants per session. Finally, STELLA is organising 16 "ad-hoc" training sessions. The topics of these sessions will be decided jointly with the IB depending on their needs; we will schedule these sessions quickly in order to provide the IB with the support they need.

STELLA is implementing a USAID-financed project of three years and with a $7.2 million budget to assist the government of Kosovo with the implementation of the national policies in water supply and sanitation. STELLA is part of a consortium with PA Consulting in charge of supporting and reinforcing the financial and technical sustainability of Regional Water Companies (RWCs) to improve water supply and sanitation services. STELLA provides the Regional Technical Coordinator and a tariff expert for this project identifying and addressing key challenges in Kosovo's water supply and sanitation service sector. The main focus of the project is on two RWCs; Hidrodrini RWC covering the municipalities of Peja, Klina, Decan, Junik, and Istog; and Hidroregjioni Jugor RWC covering the municipalities of Prizren, Suhareke, Malisheva, and Dragas. The project objectives are to: (1) assist the Government of Kosovo in implementing national policy reforms to support the long-term sustainability of RWCs; (2) assist two RWCs by improving their technical and financial sustainability and effective management of water supply and sanitation services; and (3) support targeted infrastructure rehabilitation and equipment investment in reform-oriented RWCs that demonstrate improved system performance and sustainability.

For UNOPS and Madagascar's National Office for the Environment, STELLA staff conducted an inventory of Madagascar's marine and coastal ecosystems (in particular, coral reefs and mangroves) and of their biodiversity, and an environmental assessment of Madagascar's coastal zone. Working closely with local experts, STELLA staff collected information and data on the environmental state of marine and coastal resources. STELLA staff identified the main problems and challenges for the sustainable development and conservation of the coastal zone. We recommended institutional, economic, and regulatory tools to implement an Integrated Coastal Zone Management programme in Madagascar. STELLA staff also identified potential marine protected areas.

As part of the Environmental Management Project financed by a World Bank loan to the Kingdom of Morocco, STELLA staff worked with the Ministry of the Environment to establish measures to reduce pollution and promote resource conservation, use appropriate technologies, and increase public environmental awareness. STELLA staff also designed a long-term plan for institutional development and capacity building through training, both in-country and overseas. After preparing an environmental code that provides a framework for environmental laws, STELLA staff reviewed existing laws on hazardous materials and wastes and suggested changes to increase prevention. STELLA staff also proposed a format for collective environmental protection agreements between industrial sectors and the government.

For the World Bank/Mediterranean Environmental Technical Assistance Programme (METAP), STELLA staff managed the organisation of two three-day workshops (one in English and one in French) and two two-week courses for senior Mediterranean government officials. Training was in English in Damascus (Syria) for participants from Albania, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Lebanon, Slovenia, Syria, and Turkey, and in French in Mohammedia (Morocco) for participants from Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, and Tunisia. The primary goals of the training programme were to (1) foster an improved understanding of the relationship between economic development and environmental protection, (2) provide analytical tools and procedures for integrating environmental considerations into national economic development initiatives, (3) develop environmental planning and management capabilities, and (4) promote the exchange of ideas and experiences among participants. Training topics included: understanding the link between development and the environment, exploring the direct and indirect causes of environmental degradation, planning for environmental action, coastal zone management, targeting environmental policies, selecting implementation tools, financing environmental programmes and projects, conducting risk assessments and environmental audits, and engaging the public. The course also covered specific topics such as waste management, water supply and sanitation, and air pollution control. Participants prepared their own back-at-work action plan.

Under the Water Resources Sustainability activity, STELLA staff has implemented a soil and water resources conservation pilot project in the Oued Nakhla watershed between Tétouan and Chefchaouen. The five-year project included direct interventions to reduce soil erosion originating from croplands, existing gullies, ravines, and degraded matorral. Activities included planting olive and almond trees, repairing irrigation channels, controlling gullies, planting trees for firewood production and perennial grasses for livestock forage and encouraging the use of fuel alternatives to wood in households. The pilot project reduced (1) soil losses in the watershed by over 12,000 tons per year and (2) the annual rate of loss in dam reservoir storage capacity by about 2.5%. STELLA staff also fostered active participation from the farmers to improve long-term management of the watershed's resources. STELLA staff conducted numerous workshops covering all topics relating to project implementation activities. These topics included construction of "cuvettes", beekeeping, goat production, grass strips, agricultural implements, improved crop production techniques for wheat and forages, disease and pest control in olives, cooking stoves, and replication of project activities.

STELLA provided the technical supervisor for the six-year, $10.5 million Water Resource Sustainability (WRS) activity with USAID/Morocco. The WRS activity aimed at improving water resources management and pollution control and used appropriate technologies, policies, and community participation to implement three pilot projects: wastewater treatment and reuse in Agadir, pollution control from tanneries in Fez, and soil/water conservation in the Rif region. As part of these projects, STELLA staff designed and built the Drarga (6,000 people) wastewater treatment and reuse plant and Morocco's first chromium recovery facility in Fez. We also provided technical assistance to the Drarga Municipality in plant budgeting, cost recovery analysis, and automatic billing. In the Rif, the activity has planted over 130,000 olive and fruit trees, stabilised 3.5 km of ravine by installing gabions and planting soil-retaining trees, and created six village committees. STELLA staff helped establish negotiated partnerships among local and central stakeholders (municipality, utility, tanners, and farmers). We also prepared an environmental impact assessment of each pilot project. In addition, STELLA staff assisted the Department of Environment and its numerous partners at the national and local level by providing training and technical assistance in water policies and technologies and community participation. We organised numerous workshops, seminars, and roundtables to raise public awareness and create project ownership, and train beneficiaries on cost-benefit analysis, wastewater treatment and re-use technologies.

STELLA staff has led the organisational development and capacity-building efforts in support of a World Bank project to implement regional Solid Waste Management (SWM) collection and disposal services in the districts of Jenin and Al-Khalil (Hebron). STELLA staff assessed organisational development and capacity building needs of local governments and of the planned regional SWM councils in each district. We surveyed local governments and formulated short- and long-term recommendations to build up the capabilities of local governments and each SWM Council. We identified staffing needs, job profiles, and basic functions of the key professional staff of each SWM Council and helped the Jenin Council recruit staff. We also provided technical assistance and training to Council Board members, professional staff of the Council's Executive Unit, mayors and village council presidents, and municipal professionals. Training areas included understanding the roles and responsibilities of the SWM Council and local governments, conducting targeted public awareness campaigns, organising primary and secondary solid waste collection services, and assessing privatisation options and cost recovery issues. STELLA staff also prepared manuals and procedural guidelines on each of those topics.