"Private Sector - just a (new) hope?" was the subject of the 15th AGUASAN workshop. The question was weather and how the private sector can contribute effectively to cover the needs in the water sector, whether the market economy is suitable to work in programmes of poverty alleviation. With the world-wide and locally growing economic constraints and with the increasing difficulties many governments have in fulfilling their provider roles, the expectations and the hope in the private sector have increased. The workshop concentrated on small and medium-scale projects and enterprises. This report should serve the participants as source of information about private sector experiences and options under different project conditions in the water and sanitation sector. Other readers, too, should benefit from the report that may serve as a checklist for the topic of private sector involvement, helping to find realistic views about options, chances, risks and links.