Kosovo is facing comprehensive environmental challenges in connection with their establishment as a sovereign country and a potential EU candidate country. Based on the request of Kosovo authorities the Swedish EPA has developed a project to Support Kosovo´s Environmental Protection Agency (KEPA) in completing The Kosovo Environment Program (KEP). The project aims to build capacity on environmental information management and water management, and also to prepare the country for negotiations on EU accession.
Background
Kosovo faces serious environmental degradation. Air pollution remains one of the highest health risk factors, contributing to cardiopulmonary and lung cancer mortality. During the winter air pollution reach high levels of PM 10 and 2.5. In January 2018 record pollution levels were recorded in Pristina. Coal is an important source of energy with the 5th volume of reserves world-wide in the country. Another key problem is illegal forest cuttings of wood used for heating. Environmental challenges further include wastewater pollution and waste management with a high number of illegal landfills.
Many individuals in the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities (RAE) make a living by illegally collecting recyclable waste in landfills, which entails exposure to toxins. In addition, there are several RAE settlements positioned next to hazardous areas. These communities have suffered severe health consequences, including lead poisoning, especially amongst children.
The project
The overall aim of the project is to contribute with capacity building support to KEPA/MESP and particularly to the implementation of the Kosovo Environment Programme. The aim of the inception phase is to develop a fully-fledged project proposal on how to contribute with capacity building support to KEPA/MESP and particularly to the implementation of Kosovo Environment Programme.
- Outcome: Increased capacity in environmental information management and reporting
- Outcome: Increased capacity in water management
- Outcome: Increased capacity in EU accession, exchange of experiences with neighboring countries
Environmental information
Environmental information management and reporting is the focus of the KEPA request to Sida and Swedish EPA. This work will be initiated by a study tour of key KEPA representatives to the Swedish EPA to review Swedish solutions in areas such as:
- Environmental information reporting
- Environmental information systems
- Reporting obligations to EEA and other international organizations
Water management
The work on water management will be initiated by a study tour of key representatives of the Division for Water Resources Planning (MESP) to Sweden. The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (HaV) in Gothenburg will host the visit. The focus of the visits will be on pressures and impact assessment, surface and groundwater monitoring networks, and floods protection and control.
According to the Kosovo Multidimensional Poverty Analysis, the quality of water resources is poor, with a majority of rivers being badly polluted by mines, tailing areas, municipal dumps and sewers from the bigger cities. Only 8% of the urban waste water is connected to sewers and treated in compliance with standards. Rural waste water treatment does not exist.
The study tour and the continued dialogue during the project inception phase will define the prioritised activities to be included in the fully-fledge project proposal.
Regional meeting on Chapter 27
KEPA and MESP will be consulted on the selection of themes for meetings planned by Swedish EPA for relevant countries on the Western Balkan. One of these meetings will take place during the project inception phase and funded by the Kosovo project. The meeting could focus on management of transboundary natural areas, water issues or another selected theme. The regional dialogue on chapter 27 during the project inception phase will try to define the prioritised activities to be included in the fully-fledge project proposal.
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