The Municipal Spatial Planning Support Programme (MuSPP) Team and Partners celebrated a 'Decade of Making Better Cities Together' on 11^th December in Pristina. The MuSPP is implemented by UN-Habitat and financed by the Swedish Development Cooperation.

The event brought together more than 200 participants, consisting of officials and professionals from central and local level, representatives of 32 municipalities in Kosovo, including six Mayors, and municipal staff practitioners as well as representatives from the academia, civil society, and international partners.

The event was honored by the participation of the General Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning (MESP), Mr. Arben Çitaku, the General Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government Administration (MLGA), Mr. Besnik Osmani, the Head of Reform Cooperation, Western Balkans and Turkey, Department for Europe and Latin-America, Sida, Mr. Mikael Elofsson, and the UN-Habitat's Headquarters Inter- Regional Advisor Mr. Paulius Kulikauskas.

The opening speeches highlighted the valuable MuSPP's contribution and support provided to Kosovo institutions, both at central and local level and the communities. The General Secretary of MESP, Mr. Arben Çitaku, thanked MuSPP for the last decade support and cooperation on spatial planning, with particular focus on implementation of its legal framework and environmental protection. The General Secretary of MLGA, Mr. Besnik Osmani, also stressed the importance of MuSPP's professional contribution on supporting municipalities in planning processes with special emphasis on capacity development. Furthermore, he addressed issues related to constructions without permit and loss of agricultural land which still remain a challenge for vast municipalities in Kosovo. Having these challenges in mind, he stressed the need for continued support in the years ahead.

The Inter-Regional Advisor from UN-Habitat Headquarters, Mr. Paulius Kulikauskas, greeted participants on behalf of UN-Habitat's Executive Director, Dr. Joan Clos, and stated the importance of MuSPP programme in assisting Kosovo institutions in spatial planning, notably ensuring sustainable development of municipalities. He also emphasized that this has been regarded as a key project and a successful one, particularly the capacity building, knowledge and experience gained. He thanked Sida for providing vital financial support and expertise for making this happen. He finally added that the experience gained by Kosovo institutions can be shared with the region too, as constructive and forward looking for further sustainable development.

Head of Reform Cooperation, Western Balkans and Turkey, Department for Europe and Latin-American, Sida, Mr. Mikael Elofsson, mentioned that this has been a great journey together since 2005, with partnerships and friendships created for a joint cause. The programme started with six municipalities and has evolved since with support extended further to other municipalities including non-majority ones (Serbian and Turkish). During this support, impressive results have been achieved with participatory planning established, in-house drafting of plans, capital investment projects derived from plans and implemented with local people involvement as well as a sector support (environment, disaster risk assessment and management, housing) integrated in planning documents and processes.

The Chief Technical Adviser of UN-Habitat Office in Kosovo, Ms. Gwendoline Mennetrier, thanked MESP and MLGA for their commitment, indefectible support and joint achievements. She also expressed her sincere appreciation and thanks to MuSPP Partner municipalities for their dedication and progress achieved together for better planning and improving the lives of Kosovo citizens. She emphasized the achievements of a Decade Together were made possible by the financial support of Sida and significant in-kind contributions by the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, and MuSPP Partner municipalities, including financial contribution for Capital Investment Projects. She said all these efforts demonstrate strong commitment, and collective ownership of the MuSPP and its results by concerned counterparts. Over the years, about 150 UN-Habitat staff members and consultants also joined and contributed to the MuSPP adventure by making it productive, innovative and successful, she added.

An opened panel discussion session was chaired by Ms. Eliza Hoxha from Prishtina University. The panel members were: the General Secretaries of MESP and MLGA and Mayors of Gjakova, Peja and Hani Elezit and Deputy-Mayor of Prishtina, plus a representative from Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. The main discussion was focused on sustainable development of municipalities in Kosovo, covering wide range of challenges and issues such as the importance of having more public spaces and linking places, ensuring road infrastructure that is fit to purpose and in the same time enable local socio-economic development. In particular, improving institutional coordination and engaging civil society in decision-making processes were raised as important aspects for ensuring sustainable development. The debate also reflected on MuSPP's achievement and success stories in support of sustainable human settlements development in Kosovo.

 A series of presentations from municipal and central level officials were presented on the day sharing their experiences on cross-cutting support received by MuSPP, including progress on policy development and participatory planning, in-house planning, inclusive place-making as well as mainstreaming environment and gender in planning cycles; all highlighting innovative and diverse methodological approaches and concrete results for both the counterparts and citizens.

The event was closed with final presentation on the way forward by MuSPP and the rolling-out of MuSPP Toolbox, as a set of materials and publications based on MuSPP's established methodologies and years of experience/ successes within the Kosovo context at local and central levels. The Toolbox aims to serve as a means for knowledge transfer and peer-learning amongst municipalities and relevant professionals and stakeholders. 

Thanking you All for this Decade Together