Future Environmental support in Kosovo

In 2009, Sida commissioned a study on possible strategic interventions in the environment sector. The study suggested a number of projects to be considered for funding. Two were suggested for immediate attention: the Kosovo Environmental Strategy (KES) and Kosovo Environmental Action Plan (KEAP) and the Kosovo Strategic Plan for Water, KSPW. This study aimed to review the suggestions in the 2009 study and update the recommendations and the analysis of the situation in terms of environment and climate change in Kosovo. It should further analyse possible strategic interventions in the environment sector in Kosovo.

The study should further;

• Provide a broad overview and analysis of the environmental situation and the relevant development trends in Kosovo (i.e. with bearing on integrated water management, environmental protection and industry, climate, waste management etc). The political commitment for the environmental sector is important in this regard, as is the institutional capacity of the responsible intuitions and other main actors. The achievements of Kosovo during the last decade should also be discussed as well as the potential to increase the rate of reform and investments in the sector.
• Review the progress in the sector in relation to the study that Sida commissioned in 2009, as to reflect on the progress so far and the potential for further contributions.
• In close consultation with the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning and Embassy of Sweden in Pristina, identify the main national environmental priorities from the Kosovo Environmental Strategy and Action Plan (KES and NEAP) and assess and propose relevant areas which could be considered for Swedish support. The potential for the following aspects should be guiding the consultant’s proposals;
  • improvement of the environmental situation,
  • progress towards EU and internationally related commitments and agreements,
  • links to the Swedish regional Strategy
  • other relevant Swedish strategies and policies
  • a programme based approach
  • potential for the involvement of the Swedish private sector
  • potential for development of markets and employment possibilities.
• Identify actors and their priorities and some entry points for discussion on a possible co-operation. The prioritised areas should be presented with links to gender equality and other mainstreaming issues which are considered of relevance to environment and sustainability. Democratic aspects and links to the civil society should also be considered.
• Provide an overview of the work of other donors and international actors within the environmental field and identify possibilities for cooperation and/or need for coordination.
• Review potential regional projects that could be of importance for Kosovo and that are potentially important for cooperation among the countries in the Western Balkans.

A support portfolio was developed that would contribute to sustainable development in Kosovo and towards moving the country closer to reaching the pre-requisites for accession to the European Union. The proposed support would also ensure that Sida could deliver on results set up by the Swedish government for the strategy period 2014-2020.

The proposed support was based on a programme approach, aligned with the support of EU and other donors. It considered innovative ways to draw on the experiences and goodwill that Sweden has in the sector, to involve the national, regional and municipal level and to link Swedish support to financial institutions such as development banks. Consideration of expected financial and staff resources available with Sida, and policy and strategic orientation of the governments of Kosovo and Sweden were other important criteria.