As rolling-out of MuSPP Self-sufficiency Toolbox continues, Mitrovica North/Mitrovicë Veriore/Severna Mitrovica was the place where seven Kosovo municipalities were invited to participate in the Training of Targeted Groups on Drafting Municipal Development Plans (MDPs). The training took place from 3rd to 5th of November with the participation of 31 representatives from the municipalities of Leposaviq/Leposavić, Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, Mitrovicë Veriore/Severna Mitrovica, Podujevë/Podujevo, Vushtrri/Vučitrn, Zveçan/Zvečan and Zubin Potok.

The aim of this training was to present the importance of MDPs as local strategic development documents, and the significance of developing the MDP drafting process through municipal in-house capacities. The training was facilitated by trainers from the Municipality of Gjilan/Gnjilane, Peja/Peć, and Mitrovicë Veriore/Severna Mitrovica, and supported by MuSPP/ UN-Habitat team.

Particular attention throughout the training sessions was given to the inclusive and participatory approach. Besides enhancing the local democracy, this approach was presented as crucial in ensuring the quality of the MDP drafting process and the MDP document itself, providing a strategic framework that will lead towards a sustainable local development.

An important component during the training was the presentation of the planning reform in Kosovo. A presentation of the new legal framework was delivered by local trainers, including the requirements and obligations for drafting the MDP, which attracted a special interest of the participants.

The training was delivered simultaneously in Albanian and Serbian in parallel through all the training sessions, including the presentations, discussions and exercises. The participants from different ethnicities, as well as from different professional backgrounds related to municipal planning, including non-governmental ones, showed high level of cooperation and synergy during all the training sessions.

Moreover, participants had the opportunity to exchange experiences and discuss the issues and challenges in drafting and implementing the spatial planning documents in their respective municipalities.

At the end of the training sessions certificates of attendance were ceremonially given to all the participants. Certificates were also given to trainers in recognition of their performance in training delivery.