The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has offered to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and transfers of Kosovo a sovereign loan of up to 25 million euros to the benefit of the Regional Water Company”Prishtina” for the improvement of wastewater treatment, through the construction of two wastewater treatment plants and the expansion of the network.
The loan will finance the construction of the first wastewater treatment plant in Podujeve, a large city in northwest Kosovo, located 27 km from Prishtina. The new plant, with state-of-the-art technology, will serve a population of up to 50,000 and reduce environmental damage caused by untreated sewage being released into the Llapi River, which is polluting surface water sources and nearby rivers.
The project will also expand and improve the local sewage network, as well as build a small-scale wastewater treatment plant using nature-based solutions.
EBRD head for Kosovo Sergiy Maslichenko said: “We are proud to continue supporting key infrastructure projects in Kosovo. This initiative marks another step forward in increasing the country’s capacity for wastewater treatment, addressing a critical need to improve hygiene and reduce environmental pollution for the well-being of Kosovo’s citizens. Together, we are committed to creating sustainable solutions that drive long-term progress and a healthier future for all”.
The Minister of Finance, Labor and transfers, Hekuran Murati, emphasized that the Government of Kosovo has already implemented a number of projects aimed at protecting the environment and ensuring the well-being of the country’s citizens, including wastewater treatment projects in Prishtina, Ferizaj, Gjilan and Mitrovica.
The mayor of Podujeva, Spektim Bulliqi, said that:”the construction of this plant will not only ensure that the treatment of wastewater is in line with European standards, but will also play a key role in reducing river pollution and preserving water resources”.
The Regional Water Company “Prishtina” is a state-owned water and wastewater management company serving the Prishtina region, which includes the municipality of Podujeva.
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) is supporting the Regional Water Company “Prishtina” to prepare the project by offering a grant of 270,000 euros. The EBRD will also assist the company in providing additional technical cooperation and investment grants in order to make this investment more feasible and affordable for the Government of Kosovo.
Historically, municipal infrastructure in Kosovo has suffered from a lack of investment in wastewater services. This investment has become a priority for the government in order to provide better hygiene for the people of Kosovo and address growing environmental concerns. The EBRD has played a key role in supporting the government’s efforts, providing funding for three other wastewater treatment plants in Ferizaj, Gjilan and Mitrovica.
This project is fully aligned with the Bank’s country strategy for Kosovo, which aims to support the development of more sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure.
The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Kosovo, pouring more than 770 million euros into Kosovo through 120 projects to date.
