UN-HABITAT staff were invited to present the Sida-funded Municipal Spatial Planning Support Programme at a donor coordination meeting organized by the Ministry of Local Government Administration on March 17, 2009. In his opening statement, Minister Sadri Ferati highlighted the importance of donor support to Kosovo municipalities in building their capacities and technical expertise as well as in implementing projects. Arijeta Himaduna, Officer of UN-HABITAT/MuSPP, presented the objectives and planned activities of MuSPP scheduled for 2008-2011. These are focused on the quality of life of Kosovo citizens through planned development. She highlighted several areas of the key focus for MuSPP which include the consolidation of the planning process, support to the planning based capital projects, improvement of living conditions and security for vulnerable groups living in informal settlements, support to municipalities for inter-municipal cooperation and regional planning and strengthening the capacities of the central level to support municipalities in their planning tasks. Ms. Himaduna emphasized project based approach to programme implementation and direct technical professional support to municipal planners.

The meeting was also attended by representatives of ICO, UNDP, USAID, World Bank, OSCE, Swiss Office and central and local governments.