Prishtina, 10 May, 2023
Dear Deputy Prime Ministers, Gërvalla and Rexhepi,
Dear Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Dear citizens,
Two weeks ago, the Grants Commission held an important meeting, in which the allocation of grants to municipalities for the period 2024-2026 was approved.
The general municipal budget for the next year reaches the value of 742 million euros, which is almost 200 million euros more budget for municipalities during our government than during the previous government, or an increase of over 35%.
Meanwhile, the General Grant for Municipalities for the year 2024 captures the amount of 284.7 million euros, which represents the largest value ever for this grant. This record value of the General Grant comes as a direct result of increased revenues in the State Budget.
There is also an increase in the specific Grant for Health and the specific Grant for Education. The Health Grant for 2024 has increased by 16% compared to 2023, or 11.5 million euros, while the Education Grant has increased by 18.5%, or 37 million euros.
At that meeting, the Grants Commission approved the budget with an increase for the Capital Grant by nearly 12% compared to 2023, as well as the Funding for theaters with an increase of 80%.
At the beginning of April, in a meeting where all the mayors of the municipalities were invited, we opened the public call for municipalities for energy efficiency measures for social housing buildings, within the 75 million package to deal with the energy crisis.
In May last year, we signed the “Charter for a Green and Sustainable Municipality”, as part of our green agenda.
Next week, we will hold the next joint meeting with the Mayors of Municipalities, the fourth so far, in order to maintain communication between the central and local levels and to discuss issues of interest to citizens.
The Minister of Local Government Administration, who is also the line minister, is in permanent communication and availability with the heads of municipalities, without distinction.
These are strong evidences, because they are clear facts, of the support and readiness for close cooperation of the Government with the municipalities.
Once upon a time, the central level opposed the local government. Today, local government is in some cases being used to oppose the central level. It was a mistake then. It’s a mistake even now.
Cooperation is our responsibility. Both levels of government originate from the will of the citizens. Therefore, we must be at their service. The government belongs to everyone. Even of the municipalities. The municipalities belong to the citizens, not to the political parties.
Thank you.
Last modified: May 10, 2023