Obiliq, June 4, 2025
Today, the Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, accompanied by the Acting Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, Acting Minister of Local Government Administration, Elbert Krasniqi, Acting Minister for Communities and Returns, Nenad Rashiq, the Mayor of Obiliq Municipality, Xhafer Gashi, representatives from the European Union and the Kosovo Energy Efficiency Fund (KEEF), visited the ongoing renovation works on a project involving two buildings comprising a total of 59 social housing units for residents in Plemetin, Municipality of Obiliq.
These renovations are co-financed by the Government and the European Union, with a 10 percent contribution from the municipality. The two buildings, with a total surface area of around 4,000 square meters, were built in 2006 and 2008, and are now being renovated with energy efficiency measures, representing an investment of approximately 500,000 euros.
“Of these 59 families, 15 are headed by women. In total, there are 370 residents, meaning many children live here. With the thermal insulation of the roof and walls, the improved and cleaner indoor environment, the replacement of windows and doors, and the installation of new façades, all residents will have dignified living conditions. The vast majority of them are from non-majority communities, particularly Roma and Ashkali,” stated the Prime Minister.
He added that the overall energy efficiency project is valued at 6 million euros and is being implemented in 27 social housing units across Kosovo. Through energy-efficient renovations, energy consumption is reduced by 73 percent.
For her part, Minister Rizvanolli stated:
“When we designed this project together with the EU three years ago, our main goal and challenge was balancing two objectives: energy efficiency on one hand and reaching the citizens most in need on the other. This social housing project—worth around 6 million euros, two buildings of which we are visiting today—perfectly balances those two objectives. I am very pleased that we have managed to reach the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo who need it most, including minority communities, single mothers, and other vulnerable groups.”
She further added that after the investments, energy savings in the two buildings will reach 71 percent in one and 75 percent in the other. This means not only lower utility bills and reduced expenses but also significantly more comfort for the residents.
Meanwhile, Minister Krasniqi noted that this current investment was preceded by a previous joint investment by the government and the Municipality of Obiliq, which improved the surrounding spaces of the buildings and provided storage units for each apartment, finalizing an initiative that now makes life easier for the communities living in these residences.
From the Kosovo Energy Efficiency Fund, Driton Hetemi stated that the fund has implemented numerous projects across 86 public buildings, 17 of which are nearing completion, with around 3,500 families benefiting from EU-funded projects.
A representative from the European Union present at the event said that this project is making a tangible difference in citizens’ lives and emphasized that the future of Kosovo and its people lies in the EU—and that we must continue to work towards that vision.
Full Speech by Prime Minister Kurti:
We are here together with colleagues from the government, the Mayor of Obiliq, and representatives from the European Union to visit the renovation works being carried out on these two buildings, which comprise a total of 59 social housing units for residents in Plemetin, Municipality of Obiliq (Kastriot).
We thank the European Union for its financial support, the Ministry of Economy for its overall supervision, and the municipality for its 10 percent contribution.
Of these 59 families, 15 are headed by women. In total, there are 370 residents, meaning there are many children. With the thermal insulation of the roof and walls, a significantly more regulated and cleaner indoor atmosphere, the replacement of windows and doors, and new façades, all residents will have dignified living conditions. The vast majority of them are from non-majority communities, especially Roma and Ashkali.
Dear residents,
May you enjoy these renovated buildings and homes. The Government of the Republic of Kosovo, together with the Municipality of Kastriot and the European Union, will remain by your side to ensure your well-being, and to help ensure that you are not marginalized or discriminated against.
The overall project for energy efficiency is valued at 6 million euros and is being implemented in 25 social housing units across Kosovo—now 27, with the addition of two more in Prizren.
Through these energy efficiency renovations, electricity consumption is reduced by 73 percent.
Thank you for your hospitality, and I wish you all health and success in life!
