Advancing waste management and circular economy in Kosovo

Context

In recent years, Kosovo has marked significant strides in improving basic waste management services. However, the transition to a circular economy is still in its early stages. Separate collection and treatment of valuable recyclables are limited to a slowly growing number of municipalities, while the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has yet to be introduced.

Despite the robust political willingness, Kosovo lacks EU-compliant laws and regulations, as well as the necessary instruments for operationalising strategy documents and practical knowledge to effectively introduce a circular economy-oriented waste management system.

In municipalities, there is a deficiency in skills to adequately implement the strategies and plans for waste management, particularly concerning integrated inter-municipal waste management.

A concept document, currently under development to address framework conditions crucial for sectoral development, will highlight persisting deficiencies. Among them insufficient human and financial resources, undefined roles among actors and an unfit legal frame. Additionally, it sheds light on the inadequate analysis and the need to consider gender equality when making future plans.

Objective

An integrated, circular waste management in Kosovo by national and local actors based on EU guidelines has been driven forward.

Approach

The project provides technical knowledge and offers organisational as well as process advice to the government and municipalities.

In partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning, and Infrastructure (MESPI), the project focuses on the following measures:

• Improving the legal, institutional, and planning framework for the implementation of an integrated waste management and circular economy practices nationally.
• Advising municipalities in Dukagjini and other regions to establish integrated waste management systems in and between municipalities.

Last update: March 2024