Municipalities need stronger capacities to apply for development/IPA funds

The Kosovo Local Government Institute (KLGI) organised a webinar on the topic “Good practices from the region for participation in EU development funds”. Participants were officials from the Directorates for Local Economic Development and European integration officers from six municipalities: Ferizaj, Gjilan, Peja, Lipjan, Klina and Vushtrri.

This activity is part of the component for building the capacities of municipalities in: drafting municipal public policy programmes; municipal documents and strategies; designing development projects; linking with national programmes and development partners; integrated public policy systems and the process calendar; advancing/exchanging practices, encouraging innovation and following trends.

The aim of the meeting was to analyse/address the progress and challenges municipalities face in preparing projects for participation in EU development funds. At the same time, practices and models from countries in the region for accessing IPA funds were discussed. Municipalities need to build their capacities and internal structures for preparing projects to apply for development/IPA funds, which, besides contributing to local economic development and a higher quality of life for citizens, are also essential to European integration processes.

The KLGI Institute has designed an advanced training programme for municipal policymakers and officials to consolidate and build capacities in the field of municipal strategic and development policies. The programme also includes a planned study visit to the Republic of Albania to learn first-hand about the results and successes of the Municipality of Tirana in accessing IPA funds.

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