Major challenges are related to the limited environmental and social management capacity of hydropower developers and challenges related to the collection and analysis of environmental data and reliable data monitoring and evaluation as well as lack of agreement on the monitoring protocol between stakeholders. Some of these challenges apply in particular to small HPPs the environmental impacts of which can be disproportionately high compared to their limited contribution to global energy production.

To address these challenges, hydropower developers, public authorities, regulators and civil society organisations, which closely follow hydropower developments and their environmental impacts in the region, would benefit from the development of a common hydropower monitoring methodology and agreement on a (country-specific) monitoring protocol. CSOs can play an important role as “conveners” in this context helping different stakeholders engage in discussion and reach agreement. This is because one of the distinct comparative advantages of CSOs is their ability to bridge gaps between different sections of society and to provide a crucial link between authorities, businesses/hydropower developers, the general public, and IFIs. CSOs can also mobilise local communities building awareness and expertise thus contributing to a better management and protection of natural resources. As such, CSOs can become important partners in project assessment, monitoring and evaluation, providing valuable input for project design, implementation, and identification of risks and corrective actions if needed.

The TC Project supports the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s ("EBRD" or the "Bank") approach to investment projects in the hydropower sector, i.e. employing the highest environmental and social standards and introducing good international practices in the sector, and assisting sustainable hydropower development planning through policy engagement and technical cooperation initiatives. In this context, the TC Project is aligned with the Bank’s “Environmental and Social Guidance Note for Hydropower Projects” in accordance with its Performance Requirements, which provides an overview of the key environmental and social risks that should be considered during the preparation, implementation and monitoring of hydropower projects. In addition, the EBRD's Environmental and social good practice note on Small hydropower projects provides detailed guidance on the management of environmental and social risks specific to small hydropower plant (sHPP) projects subject to EBRD direct or indirect financing.

Assignment Description:

EBRD intends to select and contract a consulting company (the Consultant) to the Assignment.

The overall objective of the TC Project is to develop in Albania and North Macedonia (based on country selection agreed in coordination with RO Heads) a hydropower monitoring methodology and establish a monitoring protocol (a “Monitoring Framework”) agreed between relevant stakeholders (state, developers, CSOs) and transfer skills and knowledge (technical knowledge, communication and engagement skills) to these local stakeholders. Trained stakeholders shall apply the Monitoring Framework and conduct monitoring of (small) hydropower developments (during planning, construction, operation, rehabilitation) at specific existing or planned (small) HPPs, to be selected in agreement with EBRD.

original source and full invitation: Working with Civil Society for Sustainable Hydropower Monitoring in the Western Balkans (Pilot)