The KLGI Institute brings partners together to discuss the objectives of the regional development strategy

The Kosovo Local Government Institute (KLGI), in cooperation with the Ministry of Regional Development (MRD), organised a workshop on “The Strategy for Regional Development 2020-2030”. This discussion is part of the consultation platform that the KLGI Institute is offering municipalities during the drafting of policies/legislation in the field of local governance.

The meeting aimed to discuss the strategic objectives to be set out in this strategic document. Participants were members of the working group for drafting the strategy and representatives of municipalities, line ministries and civil society.

The purpose of the workshop was to increase municipalities' ownership of policies/legislation by presenting their perspective on the strategy. The process of building the strategy will carry forward an experience of cooperation and partnership between Kosovo's municipalities and other stakeholders.

Regional development is about integrating different policies and programmes, creating new synergies, improving coordination and involving local communities in formulating and implementing concrete policies.

In this context, regional development can be seen as an overall effort to reduce inequalities by supporting economic activities in the respective regions that stimulate investment, reduce socio-economic differences between regions and improve living standards in the respective territories.

Furthermore, regional development aims to provide a clear framework for achieving sustainable and meaningful improvement for local communities, by diversifying and stimulating economic activity and promoting a more attractive regional economic environment.

The economy is the primary driving force of regional development, and to achieve this it is necessary not only to support the development of some promising sectors but also to create the conditions for business development. Actions must therefore be implemented in a way that supports the development of institutions or mechanisms that will ensure coordination and economic development at the regional level.

In order to overcome the challenges of regional development, partners must focus on their activities and channel adequate resources to implement them effectively.

This activity was carried out within the project ‘Support for Stronger and More Sustainable Municipalities (SSSM)’, funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Kosovo.