ABOUT THE VISIT / RATIONALE
Why we are going
The Training Needs Assessment (TNA) for the Project Implementation Unit identified operational exposure to Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) and Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) plants as the most significant training gap.
This study visit is scheduled strategically before the commencement of procurement phases to ensure that delegates carry a verified operational reference into the finalization of technical specifications and the subsequent supervision of project contracts.
Selection Rationale: Why Crete
EU REGULATORY ALIGNMENT
OPERATIONAL MATURITY
INSTITUTIONAL COMPARABILITY
Greece was selected for its geographic proximity and alignment with EU regulatory frameworks and EBRD Environmental Performance Requirements. The region possesses a robust track record of EU-financed waste management projects, offering a direct regulatory reference for the Tbilisi project implementation.
Crete was chosen over internal alternatives due to the operational maturity of its facilities. DEDISA (Chania) has been operational since 2005 and serves as a primary study-visit host for international reviewers. The combined visit to DEDISA and ESDAK (Rethymno) provides a dual perspective on operational excellence and regional management.
Both host entities operate as inter-municipal public authorities, directly comparable to the Tbilservice model.
What You Will Take Away
01
Operational Reference: Direct exposure to MRF/MBT technologies—including mechanical sorting, optical separation, and biological treatment—provides the PIU with a concrete operational benchmark for future facility supervision and performance monitoring.
02
Contract-Management Insight: Delegates will gain an essential Owner’s perspective on managing FIDIC-based contracts and navigating EU/IFI reporting cycles within an active operational environment, bridging the gap between theory and field application.
03
Institutional Lessons: Through engagement with DEDISA and ESDAK, the visit clarifies regional planning and multi-municipal governance structures. These lessons are directly applicable to the institutional cooperation models required for the Tbilservice model.
04
Joint Output: The visit culminates in a consolidated summary report (debfief). This document will identify specific action points and institutional recommendations to be integrated into the Project Implementation Unit’s final Training Programme Plan.