Today, on 2 July 2021, the Ministry of Regional Development (MRD), in cooperation with the Kosovo Local Government Institute (KLGI) organized a workshop on the discussion of the following topics: Review of the Administrative Instruction on the Conditions and Criteria for Support of Businesses/Enterprises (Young) from the BRDP, Redesign of the Grant Scheme for Businesses and Start-Ups under the Balanced Regional Development Program (BRDP), Redesign of the Grant Scheme for Municipalities under the Regional Development Program (RDP), and Redesign of the Grant Scheme for NGOs under the NGO Program.

The workshop was opened with a speech by the Minister of Regional Development, Mr Fikrim Damka, who greeted all those present at the workshop which was organized to review the grant schemes for all categories funded by the MRD, and thanked KLGI for its support and cooperation with MRD. Mr Besim Kamberaj - Deputy Secretary General of MRD stressed that the purpose of organizing the workshop is to come up with proposals that advance the processes in MRD towards creating better conditions for businesses, better infrastructure in municipalities for economic development as well as promotion of socio-economic development in cooperation with civil society.

The participants were also greeted by the representative of the KLGI Institute, Ms Jona Jaha - Researcher, who on behalf of the KLGI presented the will and readiness to continue the cooperation with the MRD. Ms Jaha stressed that the aim of KLGI is to serve as a platform for a more structured communication in capacity building and drafting legislation policies in the field of regional development.

The workshop continued with the presentation of three sessions: The first session was the presentation of the Administrative Instruction (MRD) - No. 01/2018 and No. 02/2018 on amending and supplementing the Administrative Instruction (MRD) - No. 01/2018 on the Conditions and Criteria for Support of Businesses/Enterprises (Young) from the Balanced Regional Development Program (BRDP), then the second and third sessions continued with the presentation of grant schemes (Criteria for Subsidies - Grants for Businesses + Start-ups) and Presentation of grant schemes (Capital Investment Criteria, Grants for Municipalities, Grant Scheme for Non-Governmental Organizations Criteria (Grants for NGOs).

During the workshop it was discussed that the promotion of balanced regional socio-economic development has in focus the promotion and advancement of dialogue between MRD, municipalities, businesses and civil society.

The workshop was attended by: Mr Fikrim Damka - Minister of the Ministry of Regional Development, Mr Agon Dobruna - Deputy Minister of MRD, Mr Almir Veliji - Deputy Minister of MRD, Mr Besim Kamberaj - Deputy Secretary General of MRD, Ms Jona Jaha - Representative from KLGI, Ms Leonora Kusari - EBRD Director for Kosovo, representatives of five (5) RDAs as well as other representatives from the Cabinet of the Minister and civilian staff from the Ministry of Regional Development.

This activity was carried out within the project ‘Support for Stronger and Sustainable Municipalities (SSSM)’ funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Kosovo.