Pristina, 07.12.2022 – The Republic of Kosovo, represented by the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Finance, Labor and Transfers, signed today a financing agreement in the amount of over 100 million euros for the implementation of Wastewater Treatment and Solid Waste Management Projects with the German Development Bank (KfW) and the EU.

Both projects will contribute to the environment protection in accordance with the EU environmental standards, aiming to solve the problem of solid waste and wastewater management faced by Kosovo.

The Wastewater Treatment Project in the region of Prishtina will include construction of wastewater lines and rehabilitation of wastewater networks and stormwater separation system.

The Project in question will supplement the construction of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, which has been financed by the French Government, thus representing the biggest investment that has been made in the wastewater sector in Kosovo. For the implementation of this Project, the German Government, through KfW, will provide a total of 42 million euros, while the EU will provide around 20 million euros. The Municipality of Pristina and Municipality of Fushe Kosova will contribute with 9 and 2 million euros, respectively.

The Solid Waste Management Project will be implemented in the following municipalities: Prishtina, Prizren, Gjilan, Ferizaj, Podujeva and Peja, and will include construction, expansion and rehabilitation of landfills and solid waste transfer stations. For this Project, the German Government will provide 20 million euros, while the EU will provide 23 million euros through IPA funds. The Government of Kosovo will contribute 8 million euros and the Municipality of Peja 3 million, amounting the total national contribution to 11 million euros.

In his speech, the German Ambassador to Kosovo, Joern Rohde, said that: “These projects reflect further the ongoing commitment of Germany and the European Union to Kosovo, with special emphasis on preservation of water resources and environment”.

The Head of the Cooperation Section at the EU Office in Kosovo, Staebek Madsen, said that: “By these agreements, the EU together with its member states, once again demonstrated its commitment to help Kosovo build a modern economy with efficient resources”.

Minister Rizvanolli stated:  “The projects we are signing today in the field of water and waste management not only contribute to protection of the environment, but also have a direct impact on the quality of life of the citizens of Kosovo”.