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CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

INTRODUCTION

SHUKALB and SHUKOS are pleased to invite you to join us for the 13th Balkans Joint Conference and Exhibition, taking place from 11 – 13 November 2025 in the coastal city of Durrës, Albania, at the Grand Blue Fafa Resort.

The theme of the 2025 Conference, “Sustainable Water Management in a Changing Climate,” shines a spotlight on one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Climate change is already transforming the availability, quality, and distribution of water—disrupting ecosystems and threatening the sustainability of communities across the region.

Sustainable water management is becoming increasingly important as the Balkan countries are growing more vulnerable to the effects of climate change, experiencing more frequent extreme weather events. At the same time, many utilities in the region continue to struggle with aging systems, high water losses, and limited capacity to respond to these challenges, making it more difficult to deliver water supply and wastewater services.

As Balkan countries leap toward EU integration, water utilities encounter a critical test: meeting the EU water and climate change directives. Utilities must understand and adjust to a new set of rules, modernize outdated infrastructure to comply with higher environmental standards, and secure significant investments to support these changes. On the other hand, the shift towards advanced technologies and climate-resilient practices demands new skills, stronger institutions, and greater operational capacities. By facing these challenges head-on, utilities can turn these pressures into progress and ability to adapt to a rapidly changing climate.

Over the years, the Balkans Joint Conference has earned a reputation for delivering high-quality content, as reflected in the consistently positive feedback from participants. We encourage you to review this year’s key themes and topics and consider contributing by submitting an abstract for presentation.

We look forward to welcoming you to Durrës in November and to working together toward a more sustainable and resilient water future for the Balkans.

TECHNICAL PROGRAM COMMITTEE

To find more information about The Technical Program Committee, please view “PROGRAM COMMITTEE”, page linked here.

MAIN THEMES OF THE CONFERENCE

Prior to the submission of the Full Paper and PowerPoint presentation, the authors have to submit an abstract of their paper covering one of the following topics. The submitted abstracts will be further evaluated by the Technical Program Committee of the Conference. The authors of the selected abstracts will be invited to submit the Full Paper and Power Point Presentation. You are invited to submit an abstract on a wide range of water-related topics, including but not limited to:

GOVERNANCE AND POLICY FOR WATER UTILITIES

  • Development of Governance Policies and Institutional Relationships.
  • Selection, Establishment and Functioning of Utility Governing Bodies.
  • Organizational Management and Structure.
  • Regionalization of Water Supply and Sewerage Services and Implementation of Service Agreements.
  • Corporate Governance.

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

  • Licensing of Water Supply and Sewerage Service Providers.
  • Analysis of Performance of Water Supply and Sewerage Utilities.
  • Tariff Review and Approval Process.
  • Development and Application of Water Supply and Sewerage Services Standards.
  • Public – Private Partnerships.
  • Relationship between the Water Utilities and Local Government.
  • Management of Rural Water Supply and Sewerage Systems.
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) Related Measures.

MANAGEMENT OF WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE
INFRASTRUCTURE

  • Capital Investment Absorption Capacities in Developing Countries.
  • Current Methods of Assessment and Prioritization of Investment Needs.
  • Development of Dynamic Master Plans.
  • Monitoring of Investments and their Sustainability.

WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

  • Climate Change.
  • Balancing Water Demand Management and Conservation with New Source Development.
  • Water Supply Source Monitoring and Protection of Trans-boundary Waters.
  • Integrated Water Resources Management.
  • Drought and Flood Management.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF WATER UTILITIES

  • Financing Sources and Subsidy Policies.
  • Financial Risk Management.
  • Development, Implementation and Monitoring of 5-year Business Plans.
  • Financial Reporting to Support Performance Improvement.
  • Internal Auditing Instruments.
  • Debt Management.

TECHNICAL OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF
WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE UTILITIES

  • Water Demand Analysis.
  • Water Consumption Measuring Practices.
  • Water Loss Reduction– Best Practices.
  • Service Zone Mapping (GIS).
  • Application of Hydraulic Modelling – Practices.
  • Increasing Use of SCADA systems in the
    Operation of Water Utilities.
  • Water Safety and Crisis Management.
  • Benchmarking.
  • Energy Efficiency in Water Supply and
    Wastewater System and Facilities.
  • Integrated Asset Management.
  • Occupational Health and Safety.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND SLUDGE
MANAGEMENT

  • Wastewater Management in the Context of
    Circular Economy.
  • Wastewater Policy and Governance.
  • Construction and Operation of Waste Water Treatment Plants.
  • Constructed Wetland Treatment Systems and Challenges.
  • Selecting Treatment Technologies for Small and Rural Systems.
  • Sludge Treatment and Reuse.
  • Use of Sludge for Energy Production.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

  • Commercial Efficiency.
  • Organization and Operation of a Customer Service Department.
  • Customer Database Management.
  • Customer Service Contract.
  • Public Relations and Communications Management.
  • Management of Customer Complaints and the Use of GIS.
  • Implementing Service Disconnection as Debt Collection Policy.

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

  • Human Resources Management and Employment Policies.
  • Training Needs Assessments and Capacity Building.
  • Training and Test-based Certification.
  • Annual Staff Performance Review/Assessment.

IMPORTANT DATES 

Abstracts Submission:
Acceptance Notification:
Submission of the CVs:
Advanced program: 
Submission of the Presentations:
Submission of the Full Papers:

12 September 2025
26 September 2025
24 October 2025
27 October 2025
27 October 2025
24 November 2025


The official languages of the Conference are Albanian and English.

Simultaneous translation will be provided.

ABSTRACTS SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

To find more information about The Abstracts Submission Guidelines, please view “RULES AND GUIDELINES”, page linked here.