MLGA, with the support of the Kosovo Local Government Institute, held a roundtable discussion with municipal mayors

The Ministry of Local Government Administration (MLGA), with the support of the Kosovo Local Government Institute (KLGI), held a roundtable discussion with the mayors of the municipalities of the Republic of Kosovo, at which the report “Socio-Economic Impacts of Covid-19 on Kosovo’s Municipalities and Businesses” was published.

The Minister of Local Government Administration, Elbert Krasniqi, underlined that this report is part of the MLGA’s operational strategic plan and aims to support municipalities in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. The report identifies and addresses the challenges municipalities have faced in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, and based on these findings, municipalities are encouraged to draft local economic recovery plans following the roadmap prepared by the MLGA.

The Executive Director of the KLGI Institute, Valmir Gashi, stressed that although we have been through a difficult phase with COVID-19, the commitment of the MLGA and the municipalities to managing and putting into operation the COVID-19 prevention measures deserves recognition.

The Deputy Secretary General of the MLGA, Venera Çerkini, stressed that despite the challenges of the pandemic, municipalities have managed to keep functioning and to provide efficient services to citizens.

The report, prepared by the MLGA and UN-Habitat, uses a synthesised approach that reflects the impact of COVID-19 on municipalities. At the same time, it provides data as tools for responding to the negative effects of the pandemic and for long-term recovery measures, in order to guide investment in municipal development.

The KLGI Institute is dedicated to analyses and studies that contribute to effective local governance practices in Kosovo. Through its educational programmes, it also works to build the capacities of the country’s municipalities.

The activity was carried out within the framework of the “Dialogue for European Municipalities (DEM)” programme, supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Kosovo.