The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has provided a sovereign loan of up to €25 million to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers of Kosovo. The financing is intended for the construction of two wastewater treatment plants and the expansion of the sewerage network for the benefit of the Prishtina Regional Water Company.

The project will focus on the construction of the first wastewater treatment plant in Podujeva, a key town in north-west Kosovo, located 27 km from Pristina. This technologically advanced plant will benefit a population of up to 50,000 people. Its main objective is to reduce the environmental impact caused by the release of untreated waste into the Llapi River, which currently pollutes surface water resources and surrounding rivers.

In addition to the plant in Podujeva, the project includes:

• Improvements to the local sewerage network, expanding its capacity and coverage.
• The construction of a small-scale treatment plant, using nature-based solutions.

The Head of the EBRD in Kosovo, Sergiy Maslichenko, highlighted the importance of this initiative in addressing critical sanitation needs and reducing environmental pollution.

The Mayor of Podujeva, Shpejtim Bulliqi, stressed that the plant will meet European standards, reducing river pollution and protecting water resources.

The project is supported financially and technically by several entities:

• The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) provided a €270,000 grant for the preparation of the project.
• The EBRD is also seeking to secure additional grants to ensure that the investment is affordable for the Kosovo government.

Kosovo has historically faced a lack of investment in municipal wastewater treatment infrastructure. However, this issue has become a government priority, as evidenced by the implementation of similar projects in other cities such as Pristina, Ferizaj, Gjilan and Mitrovica.

The EBRD has played a crucial role in the development of sustainable infrastructure in Kosovo. To date, it has invested more than €770 million in 120 projects in the country. This project aligns with the bank’s strategy to promote climate-resilient and sustainable infrastructure in Kosovo.

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