Inception Report – Action plan – Pristina, Kosovo, 2024 – 2025
- Action Plan: Action plan – Pristina, Kosovo, 2024 – 2025
Overview
Name of Evaluator
Egzon Pacolliand Kenan Beqiri
[email protected]; [email protected]
Member Name
Pristina, Kosovo
Action PlanAction plans are at the core of a government’s participation in OGP. They are the product of a co-creation process in which government and civil society jointly develop commitments to open governmen... Title
Action plan – Pristina, Kosovo, 2024 – 2025
Section 1.
Compliance with
co-creation requirements
1.1 Does a forum exist?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The Municipality of Prishtina established the Forum for Municipal TransparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More on 18 June 2024 through a decision of the Municipal Assembly. The establishment of the Forum was supported by the National Democratic Institute (NDI). The Forum was actively engaged in the drafting process of the Local Action Plan for January–September 2025.
The Forum was created as a preparatory mechanism following Prishtina’s application for membership in the OGP Local initiative in 2024, to ensure readiness and inclusivity in the drafting of the 2025 Action Plan.
Members of the Forum:
- Elmire Nikçi-Rexha
- Gresa Lahu
- Endrit Zabërrgja
- Agim Kuleta
- Alban Zogaj
- Donat Lushaku
- Arlinda Kastrati
- Gresa Deda
In addition to local councilors and municipal officials, the co-creation processCollaboration between government, civil society and other stakeholders (e.g., citizens, academics, private sector) is at the heart of the OGP process. Participating governments must ensure that a dive... of the Action Plan was supported by the USAID Kosovo Municipal Integrity Project, Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI), Open DataBy opening up data and making it sharable and reusable, governments can enable informed debate, better decision making, and the development of innovative new services. Technical specifications: Polici... Kosovo, FOL Movement, Democracy for Development (D4D), and other civil society activists.
Provide references here (e.g., interviews):
- The Support Letter for the Application Process of the Municipality of Prishtina for OGP Local, issued by the National Democratic Institute
- The Adoption Document of the Forum for Municipal Transparency, approved by the Municipal Assembly
1.2 Is the forum multi-stakeholder?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
Even though the Forum was initially established with participants consisting of local councilors from different political groups represented in the Assembly of Prishtina and civil servants from the municipality, the co-creation process of the Action Plan also included various civil society representatives from the Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI), Open Data Kosovo, FOL Movement, Democracy for Development (D4D), and other civil society activists.
It is important to note that during the co-creation workshop, Prishtina successfully engaged both civil society representatives and municipal officials equally, creating a synergy between the proposals from civil society—focused on increasing citizen participation in decision-making, promoting green policies, and advancing the decentralization of administration—and the proposals from governmental representatives, which aimed to integrate their political vision for the city’s development.
In addition to the support letters and the appointment of contact persons from both the government and civil society for Prishtina, it was crucial to move beyond formal meetings and foster genuine collaboration through the exchange of ideas and promotion of joint initiatives. This joint vision, presented by civil society representatives and supported by the city administration, resulted in the drafting of a plan that has been implemented and has brought tangible positive changes for the citizens of Prishtina.
Provide references here (e.g., interviews):
Kryeqyteti Prishtina | Facebook
Adoption Document of the Forum for Municipal Transparency, approved by the Municipal Assembly
1.3 Does the forum hold at least one meeting with civil society and non-governmental stakeholders during the co-creation of the action plan?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
Yes, the Forum for Municipal Transparency organized meetings with civil society and non-governmental stakeholders during the co-creation of the Action Plan. These meetings were supported by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in Kosovo and the USAID Kosovo Municipal Integrity Project, ensuring structured guidance and technical assistance throughout the process.
While the Forum initially included local councilors from various political groups and municipal civil servants, the co-creation process actively engaged civil society representatives from organizations such as the Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI), Open Data Kosovo, FOL Movement, Democracy for Development (D4D), and other civil society activists. These meetings were instrumental in fostering a collaborative environment, allowing both municipal officials and civil society actors to contribute equally, exchange ideas, and develop a joint vision for the Action Plan that reflects the priorities of the citizens of Prishtina.
Provide references here (e.g. interviews):
1.4 Has the action plan been endorsed by the stakeholders of the forum or steering committeeThe Steering Committee is OGP’s executive decision-making body. Its role is to develop, promote and safeguard OGP’s values, principles and interests; establish OGP’s core ideas, policies, and ru.../group?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
On November 21, the Municipality of Prishtina, together with representatives of civil society organizations, international missions, and partner programs, after the general consultation, officially uploaded the Municipal Action Plan for OGP Local in the presence of participants.
This document was prepared following an extensive period of consultations with municipal officers, local councillors, and civil society representatives, supported by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in Kosovo and the USAID Kosovo Municipal Integrity Project.
Discussions throughout the process focused on strengthening the municipality’s capacities to address specific issues within a short timeframe, aligned with the vision for a better and more transparent city. A particular emphasis was placed on deconcentrated administration, aimed at bringing municipal services closer to citizens. These topics were the core of the commitments planned for this phase of Prishtina’s membership in the OGP Local initiative.
The final meeting among partners served as a ceremonial session, reviewing and acknowledging the extensive work carried out during the preparation phase.
Participants of the final meeting, during which the plan was uploaded to the OGP Local Portal, included:
- Mr. Alban Zogaj, Vice Mayor of the Municipality of Prishtina (currently Member of Parliament)
- Mr. Edis Prapashtica, OGP Local Contact Point, Municipality of Prishtina
- Mr. Egzon Pacolli, Chief of the Local Units Sector
- Mr. Betim Abdullahu, Chief of the Sector for Human Rights and Communities
- Mr. Agim Salihu, USAID Kosovo Municipal Integrity Project
- Ms. Blerta Thaci, Expert (also Executive Director of Open Data Kosovo)
- Mr. Kenan Beqiri, Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI)
- Ms. Burbuqe Kastrati, FOL Movement
- Mr. Mentor Zeka, OSCE Mission in Kosovo
- Mr. Ferid Murseli, Democracy for Development (D4D)
Other participants included representatives from municipal departments and civil society organizations.
Provide references here (e.g., interviews):
Link with photos from the event shared on the Municipality of Prishtina’s official social media.
Section 2.
Recommended practices
in co-creation
2.1 Does the government maintain a Local OGP website or webpage on a government website where information on the OGP Local process (co-creation and implementation) is proactively published?
No
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The Municipality of Prishtina has not yet created a subdomain or published every step of the co-creation process of the Action Plan; however, it has shared important stories and updates from the workshops through its official Facebook page, as evidenced by the links attached within the report. What is particularly important in this regard is that these stories highlighted specific commitments as they were implemented by the municipal administration and helped promote the core values and principles on which the entire process was based.
Considering the short duration of the Action Plan and the municipality’s first experience in implementing commitments as part of an OGP Local Action Plan, it is expected that in the next phase, the Municipality of Prishtina will build on this success by creating a dedicated online space—either within its official website or through social media channels—to provide monthly updates on commitments, activities, and progress achieved at each stage of the plan’s implementation.
Provide references here (e.g. interviews):
2.2 Did the government provide information to stakeholders in advance to facilitate informed and prepared participation in the co-creation process?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
During the workshops, municipal representatives were responsible for providing the necessary information to participants when specific ideas for potential commitments to be included in the Action Plan were discussed. It was essential to clarify the proposed ideas and assess their feasibility before inclusionOGP participating governments are working to create governments that truly serve all people. Commitments in this area may address persons with disabilities, women and girls, lesbian, gay, bisexual, tr... More in the plan. The workshops served as a valuable opportunity for participants to exchange information, discuss priorities, and propose practical solutions applicable within the local context.
Municipal representatives from the Local Units Sector, International Cooperation Sector, Human RightsAn essential part of open government includes protecting the sacred freedoms and rights of all citizens, including the most vulnerable groups, and holding those who violate human rights accountable. T... and Communities Sector, IT Sector, and local councillors played an active role in informing participants about ongoing projects and potential initiatives.
Stakeholders engaged in the process, particularly civil society representatives, were also well-informed and contributed significantly through their professional expertise and understanding of the current situation in the municipality. Their input was crucial in proposing measurable actions to address key issues and improve services in the city.
Provide references here (e.g. interviews):
2.3 Did the government ensure that any interested member of the public could make inputs into the action plan and observe or have access to decision-making documentation?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
Due to the short duration of the Action Plan and the fact that this was Prishtina’s first participation in the OGP Local initiative, it was not possible to directly involve citizens in drafting the plan. However, through the engagement of local councillors and civil society representatives, the public interest was effectively reflected within the framework of the Action Plan.
Given the limited previous experience with such an open governance process, the municipality succeeded in involving the key stakeholders mentioned above. In addition, the process was occasionally discussed during local council meetings, ensuring that broader perspectives were considered.
Citizens and other interested groups were able to follow the implementation of the commitments as part of municipal projects through social media, the official website of the Municipality, and media coverage. Since the commitments had a direct impact on citizens’ daily lives, the public was able to stay informed about the progress of several key initiatives, such as the expansion of the public heating network, improvement of public transport, and the deconcentration of administrative services, among others.
Provide references here (e.g. interviews):
2.4 Did the government proactively report back or provide written feedback to stakeholders on how their contributions were considered during the creation of the action plan?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The Municipality of Prishtina periodically informed stakeholders about the progress of the Action Plan. The most recent meeting was held in August, with the participation of several members of the Monitoring Body, who confirmed their involvement in the process. This meeting served as an important opportunity to exchange ideas and share updates before the municipality proceeded to update the milestones of the commitments on the OGP Local portal.
Furthermore, in today’s digital era, the availability of public information has created additional opportunities to address specific issues related to transparency and communication. As a result, both the public and stakeholders were regularly informed through various digital channels and could easily access updates about ongoing activities and progress.
Provide references here (e.g. interviews):
Agreements Prishtina Officials
2.5 Was there an iterative dialogue and shared ownership between government and non-governmental stakeholders during the decision-making process, including setting the agenda?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
Since the Municipality of Prishtina was supported by the USAID Kosovo Municipal Integrity Program and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in Kosovo, the process was highly collaborative, involving joint efforts in setting the agenda of events and managing the overall coordination of activities. Due to the professional commitments of each participant, it was the municipality’s responsibility to actively engage with stakeholders in order to determine the agenda and schedule the meetings accordingly.
An especially important aspect of this process was the support provided by civil society to the municipality. This collaboration was not only necessary but also highly valuable, as the knowledge and expertise of civil society representatives contributed significantly to the quality and success of the entire process.
Provide references here (e.g., interviews):
Adoption Document of the Forum for Municipal Transparency, approved by the Municipal Assembly
2.6 Would you consider the forum to be inclusive and diverse?
Somewhat
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
Initially, the Municipality of Prishtina established the Forum for Municipal Transparency with the support of the National Democratic Institute (NDI). The proposal was presented in the municipal assembly with local councillors and civil servants. During the discussion, as recorded in the written minutes, it was suggested to also include representatives from civil society — a recommendation that had originally come from NDI Kosovo and the USAID Kosovo Municipal Integrity Project.
Throughout its work, the Forum included representatives from FOL Movement, NDI Kosovo, the Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI), and other civil society organizations, mainly those focusing on transparency and increasing citizen participationAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, citizen participation occurs when “governments seek to mobilize citizens to engage in public debate, provide input, and make contributions that lead to m... More in decision-making processes.
We believe that in the next phase, as Prishtina continues its participation in the OGP Local initiative, the forum will become even more inclusive, fostering broader participation and enabling more meaningful contributions from all stakeholders.
Provide references here (e.g. interviews):
Adoption Document of the Forum for Municipal Transparency, approved by the Municipal Assembly
Section 3.
Initial evaluation
of commitments
1 CommitmentOGP commitments are promises for reform co-created by governments and civil society and submitted as part of an action plan. Commitments typically include a description of the problem, concrete action... :
Enhancing Access to Municipal Services for Citizens through E-Governance
1.1 Is the commitment verifiable?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
Regarding the first commitment, “Enhancing Access to Municipal Services for Citizens through E-Governance,” the Municipality of Prishtina has demonstrated strong professionalism and continuity in using technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to implement this commitment.
The first action, “Advancement of the possession list service in e-kiosks,” was successfully designed and integrated into the existing e-kiosks, initially launched in one location due to the importance of this service.
The action “AI transcription of assembly sessions – from voice to text” has been fully implemented using AI technology, enabling automatic generation of assembly transcripts directly from speech to text.
The “Publication of materials accompanying municipal assembly sessions” has now become a well-established practice, contributing to greater transparency and providing citizens with better access to municipal decisions.
The “Decentralization of citizen service center services across local communities” represents one of the municipality’s most important actions, aimed at providing citizens with easier access to public services and ensuring higher service quality.
Finally, the “Promotional campaign for citizens on municipal services provided through local communities and e-kiosks” was carried out through two video spots shared on social media, as well as public announcements in various local units across different neighborhoods.
Prishtina Online Process Verbal
1.2 Does the commitment language/activities clearly justify relevanceAccording to the OGP Articles of Governance, OGP commitments should include a clear open government lens. Specifically, they should advance at least one of the OGP values: transparency, citizen partic... to OGP values?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
Yes, the commitment “Enhancing Access to Municipal Services for Citizens through E-Governance” by the Municipality of Prishtina clearly aligns with and supports the core values of the Open Government PartnershipThe Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multi-stakeholder initiative focused on improving government transparency, ensuring opportunities for citizen participation in public matters, and strengthen... More (OGP) — transparency, civic participation, public accountabilityAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, public accountability occurs when ”rules, regulations, and mechanisms in place call upon government actors to justify their actions, act upon criticisms ... More, and technology and innovation for openness and inclusion. By introducing digital solutions such as e-kiosks, AI-based transcription of assembly sessions, and the publication of assembly materials, the municipality demonstrates a strong focus on improving access to information and promoting open governance.
Furthermore, the commitment strengthens public participationGiving citizens opportunities to provide input into government decision-making leads to more effective governance, improved public service delivery, and more equitable outcomes. Technical specificatio... by ensuring that citizens can easily access municipal services and decisions without bureaucratic barriers. The decentralization of citizen service centers across local communities ensures that residents from different neighborhoods can interact more efficiently with the municipality and have their needs addressed in a timely and inclusive manner. By extending services to multiple local units and promoting awareness through communication campaigns, Prishtina is fostering a culture of civic engagement.
Lastly, the integration of AI tools and e-governance platforms enhances both efficiency and accountability within municipal administration. Automating transcription and document publication not only increases the accuracy and availability of information but also minimizes opportunities for human error or information withholding. This use of digital innovation demonstrates Prishtina’s commitment to modern governance practices that uphold OGP principles.
Prishtina Online Process Verbal
1.3 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
a new regulationGovernment reformers are developing regulations that enshrine values of transparency, participation, and accountability in government practices. Technical specifications: Act of creating or reforming ..., policy, practice or requirement.
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The commitment “Enhancing Access to Municipal Services for Citizens through E-Governance” is best described as one that introduces new practices and policies within existing frameworks. Rather than creating an entirely new regulatory structure, the Municipality of Prishtina has focused on improving and modernizing current systems. Through actions such as integrating e-kiosks, implementing AI transcription for assembly sessions, and publishing assembly materials online, the municipality is building on existing mechanisms to make municipal services more efficient, transparent, and accessible to citizens.
These initiatives represent an important evolution in how the municipality interacts with the public and delivers services. By introducing technology-driven solutions and decentralizing service delivery across local communities, Prishtina is fostering more inclusive and transparent governance. The approach reflects innovation within continuity — improving traditional administrative practices through digital transformationGovernments are working to increase access to and quality of government services, improve transparency, and create opportunities for participation by using information and communications technologies.... More while staying within the established institutional and legal framework.
Prishtina Online Process Verbal
1.4 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
will result in a change of the rules, practices or policies that govern a policy area, public sector and/or relationship between citizens and is binding or institutionalized across government or specific institution(s).
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The commitment “Enhancing Access to Municipal Services for Citizens through E-Governance” will result in a meaningful change in the practices and policies that govern how the Municipality of Prishtina delivers public services and interacts with citizens. While it does not create entirely new laws, it institutionalizes innovative digital approaches such as e-kiosks, AI-based transcription of assembly sessions, and the systematic publication of assembly materials that are becoming standard practices within the municipality. These actions embed transparency and digital accessibility into the municipality’s regular operations, making them a sustained and binding part of how local governance functions.
Moreover, the commitment transforms the relationship between citizens and local government by creating more open, efficient, and inclusive channels of communication and service delivery. Through decentralization of citizen service centers and technology-enabled access, citizens can now engage more directly with municipal institutions, reducing barriers to participation and improving accountability. In this way, the commitment institutionalizes a culture of openness and responsiveness, aligning Prishtina’s governance practices with the long-term values and goals of the Open Government Partnership.
1.5 Are there any recommended changes to the design of the commitment to help improve its implementation?
While the design of the commitment is well-structured and effectively aligned with OGP values, its implementation could be further strengthened through enhanced coordination, monitoring, and capacity-building efforts. Establishing clearer mechanisms for regular progress tracking and citizen feedback would ensure that the technological solutions, such as e-kiosks and AI transcription, continue to meet public needs and operate reliably. Additionally, ongoing training for municipal staff on the use and maintenance of these digital tools would help sustain quality service delivery and prevent gaps in implementation due to technical or administrative challenges.
Another area for improvement involves increasing outreach and awareness among citizens to maximize the use and impact of the new e-governance tools. While promotional campaigns have already been initiated, maintaining continuous communication through local media, community meetings, and partnerships with civil society organizations would further encourage citizens to engage with digital municipal services. This participatory approach would not only enhance the visibility of the commitment but also ensure that it remains responsive to evolving community needs and contributes meaningfully to long-term transparency and accessibility goals.
2 Commitment :
Enhancing public participation through citizen government collaboration, participatory budgeting, and the development of a mobile app
2.1 Is the commitment verifiable?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
Regarding the commitment “Enhancing public participation through citizen–government collaboration, participatory budgeting, and development of a mobile app,” the Municipality of Prishtina has made overall progress. However, certain actions were affected by the closure of U.S.-funded programs (USAID). Evaluating each action individually will make it easier for the public to better understand the progress and impact of this commitment.
- Development of a mobile application (Android & iOS) for the capital
It was initially planned to develop a mobile application to connect the municipal website with an app (a project proposed to be supported by USAID funds). However, due to the closure of the USAID programs, this activity could not be implemented as planned. Nevertheless, the Municipality of Prishtina has developed an application that connects the public transport ticketing system with opportunities to pay for municipal services. - Improving infrastructure in public facilities for access for people with disabilitiesA government is not open unless it is accessible to all, and governments are working to ensure people with disabilities are afforded equitable services and opportunities to participate. Technical spec.... It has now become a standard practice in all public works to improve accessibility for people with disabilities in public facilities such as squares, public buildings, and other municipal investments.
- Meetings of Municipal Assembly members with various groups of citizens to propose changes to the Assembly. Most local councilors met with citizens during the election process for local councils, as these meetings were organized by the Electoral Commission in different neighborhoods. While this was not established as a continuous program for most councilors, it is worth emphasizing that some councilors did engage directly with citizens during this period.
- Conversations between members of the Municipal Assembly and students about their work and role. This activity was intended to be a continuous initiative, mainly supported by civil society organizations. However, the lack of U.S. funding also affected this action, particularly the programs of NDI Kosovo, which were shortened due to staff reductions. Despite these challenges, there were occasional meetings between local councilors and students in elementary and high schools, although on a smaller scale than originally expected.
- Organization of public hearings/consultations by the Municipality in neighborhoods/villages. Several public consultations were held, particularly in relation to urban planning in various neighborhoods and the development of specific local regulations.
Masterplani kolovic pjesa 1
Kolovic master plan part 2
Masterplani për Rigjenerimin e Lagjes Kodra e Trimave II
Kryeqyteti Prishtina Facebook Post
2.2 Does the commitment language/activities clearly justify relevance to OGP values?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
Yes, the commitment language and activities clearly justify relevance to OGP (Open
Government Partnership) values, particularly those of public participation,
transparency, and accountability.
The commitment “Enhancing public participation through citizen–government collaboration, participatory budgeting, and development of a mobile app” directly aligns with OGP’s core principle of increasing citizen engagement in governance. Its actions aim to strengthen the interaction between local authorities and the public, allowing citizens to take part in decision-making processes, express their needs, and monitor municipal performance.
Public Participation:
Activities such as meetings between Municipal Assembly members and citizens, public consultations in neighborhoods, and conversations between councilors and students clearly promote inclusive participation. These mechanisms enable citizens to provide input on local policies and influence decisions that affect their communities, which is a fundamental OGP value.
Transparency and Technology Use:
The planned development of a mobile application to connect citizens with municipal services, even though partially implemented, represents a step toward digital transparency. The initiative to link the public transport ticketing system and municipal service payments enhances accessibility and openness of information about municipal operations.
Accountability and Inclusion:
The inclusion of accessibility improvements for people with disabilities in public infrastructure projects reinforces the value of inclusion and accountability to all citizens, ensuring that government services and spaces are equitable and open to everyone.
In summary, although some actions were affected by the closure of donor-supported programs, the overall design and implementation of the commitment reflect a strong connection to OGP values. The activities contribute to building trust, fostering dialogue, and creating participatory and inclusive governance at the municipal level.
Facebook Kuleta Digjitale Prishtina
2.3 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
a new regulation, policy, practice or requirement.
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
This commitment contributed to establishing new practices within the Municipality of Prishtina by integrating participatory principles into everyday governance and service delivery. Although some planned activities were constrained by the closure of U.S.-funded programs, the municipality institutionalized several participatory and inclusive approaches that continue to shape its operations. For instance, ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities has evolved from being a project-based goal into a standard municipal practice applied consistently across all public works and infrastructure investments. Similarly, the development of a digital platform linking transport and payment systems introduced a new model of citizen–government interaction, marking a shift toward digital governanceAs evolving technologies present new opportunities for governments and citizens to advance openness and accountability, OGP participating governments are working to create policies that deal with the ... More and user-centered service provision. These initiatives demonstrate the municipality’s growing capacity to sustain participatory values even when external funding or partnerships change.
In addition, this commitment encouraged a more open and consultative culture within local governance structures. Public consultations related to urban planning and local regulations have become a recurring mechanism for engaging residents in decision-making at the neighborhood level. Furthermore, although the structured programs that facilitated dialogue between local councilors, citizens, and students were reduced, the practice of direct engagement between elected officials and the public gained broader recognition as a valuable democratic exercise. These developments have laid the groundwork for longer-term institutional change, embedding participation, transparency, and inclusiveness into the municipality’s policy-making and implementation processes.
2.4 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
will result in a change of the rules, practices or policies that govern a policy area, public sector and/or relationship between citizens and is binding or institutionalized across government or specific institution(s).
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The commitment’s activities have the potential to result in a change of the rules, practices, or policies that govern a policy area, public sector, and/or relationship between citizens and the State, and is binding or institutionalized across government or specific institution(s).
Going through different options to expand public participation in daily services, decision-making, and sharing a common vision for the city has already changed the way the mayor and the administration establish new practices and rules for governing the city. Beyond formalities, the changes made in fulfilling this commitment and implementing actions through the OGP Local Action Plan were practical, measurable, and produced significant results for citizens. From the Digital Wallet application to public hearings for the Master Plan, important new practices and approaches have been introduced—particularly in co-leading the city through direct communication with citizens.
More citizens participating in public hearings represents direct democracy, reduces corruption, and creates more opportunities for citizen involvement in spatial planning. Furthermore, enhanced communication between municipal councilors and citizens on various local issues creates a synergy between the problems identified and the actions undertaken by the municipal legislative level, helping to prevent the adoption of regulations that negatively affect citizens’ daily lives.
Additionally, the improvement of public infrastructure for people with disabilities remains an ongoing commitment. The municipality is now engaging more closely with persons with disabilities, ensuring their inclusion as equal citizens in public infrastructure projects. All these measures have made this process truly valuable and important for our city. As a monitoring body, we were genuinely impressed by the real progress achieved in every commitment and action implemented by the Municipality of Prishtina.
Facebook Post Representative
Kryeqyteti Prishtina Facebook post
Kuleta Digjitale e Prishtinës’s post
2.5 Are there any recommended changes to the design of the commitment to help improve its implementation?
Considering transparency, innovation, and public participation, there is no need for us to suggest any changes to this commitment. If any municipality were to achieve this level of success, it would represent a significant step forward toward a more inclusive government — not merely formalizing the implementation of a plan, but genuinely reaching goals that have a real impact on citizens.
3 Commitment :
Realizing green Pristina through district heating expansion, green space development and sustainable transportation
3.1 Is the commitment verifiable?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
In 2025, the Municipality of Prishtina and TERMOKOS Sh.A. have taken concrete steps to expand the city’s district heating network, which directly supports the “green city” commitment. TERMOKOS presented a Master Plan for the Expansion of the Heating Network in May 2025, covering six new neighbourhoods and around 38,000 residents. This plan is part of the larger “Solar 4Kosovo II” project, which introduces a solar-thermal plant and heat storage system that will supply clean heat to the district heating network. By reducing reliance on individual fossil-fuel or electric heating systems and connecting new buildings to a centralized, more efficient, and cleaner network, Prishtina is making measurable progress in reducing CO₂ emissions and improving air quality.
In parallel with the heating network expansion, the action plan for Prishtina explicitly identifies commitments to environmental sustainability, including the expansion of the district heating network as part of its open-government and green-city goals. While the available evidence is strongest for the heating component, there are also clear advancements in transportation and green-space initiatives. For example, the municipal environmental report for 2025 highlights the introduction of new bus lines and increased frequency of public transport connecting villages with the city center. Therefore, the comment is not only aspirational but supported by documented projects and plans implemented in 2025, making it verifiable in its key elements.
In addition, one of the most transformative reforms in 2025 was the introduction of free public transport for citizens of Prishtina. This initiative was launched as part of the city’s broader vision to promote sustainable mobility, reduce traffic congestion, and decrease air pollution. The reform included the renewal of the municipal bus fleet with eco-friendly and accessible vehicles, the digitalization of routes and schedules, and improved connections between urban and suburban areas. As a result, more citizens began using public transport daily, reducing the number of private vehicles in circulation and contributing to the city’s environmental and social sustainability goals. This policy not only encouraged inclusivity by ensuring mobility for all social groups but also became a model of innovative governance in the Western Balkans.
Termokos Website
European Commission Build Up
Trafik Urban
Trafik Urban 2
3.2 Does the commitment language/activities clearly justify relevance to OGP values?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The expansion of the district heating network, the introduction of free public transport, and investments in cleaner heating systems in Prishtina were designed and implemented in line with core Open Government Partnership (OGP) values, particularly transparency, public participation, and accountability. During the planning phase, the Municipality of Prishtina committed to informing the public about proposed investments, timelines, and expected environmental and social impacts through publicly available documents, municipal channels, and cooperation with public utility companies such as TERMOKOS Sh.A. This transparency allowed citizens to better understand how decisions were made and how public funds were being allocated.
Public consultations were planned and used as a key tool to gather feedback from residents, especially those directly affected by the expansion of the district heating network and changes in transport services. Community meetings, stakeholder discussions, and opportunities for public input enabled citizens, civil society organizations, and experts to express concerns, suggest improvements, and influence final decisions. This participatory approach helped ensure that solutions responded to real community needs and built public trust in the reforms.
Accountability was strengthened through clear implementation responsibilities, measurable targets, and regular communication on progress and results. The introduction of free public transport and cleaner heating systems was accompanied by public reporting on service coverage, environmental benefits, and social impact, making it possible for citizens to monitor outcomes and hold institutions accountable. Overall, these initiatives demonstrate how open government values were embedded in environmental and urban development policies, linking transparency and participation directly to tangible improvements in sustainability, inclusiveness, and quality of life for the people of Prishtina.
3.3 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
a new regulation, policy, practice or requirement.
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The commitment can be considered transformative because it introduced substantial and lasting changes in how the Municipality of Prishtina governs environmental and urban development policies. By integrating district heating expansion, sustainable transportation reforms, and the promotion of green public spaces into a coherent “green city” agenda, the municipality moved beyond incremental improvements to establish a new model of participatory and transparent urban governance. These actions significantly improved service delivery, reduced emissions, and expanded citizen access to clean energyEnsuring universal access to sustainable, dependable, and affordable energy is critical to every aspect of prosperity. Increasing public oversight and transparency in the energy sector can help to ens... More and mobility. The scale, ambitionAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, OGP commitments should “stretch government practice beyond its current baseline with respect to key areas of open government.” Ambition captures the po..., and measurable results of these reforms demonstrate a deep institutional shift toward openness, innovation, and inclusivity in local policymaking.
3.4 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
is a positive change to a process, practice or policy but will not generate a binding or institutionalized change across government or specific institution(s).
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The commitment activities go beyond routine administrative improvements and
introduce systemic changes that directly enhance transparency, innovation, and
citizen participation. Through the expansion of the district heating network with
TERMOKOS Sh.A., the introduction of free and sustainable public transport, and the development of green urban spaces, the Municipality of Prishtina has fundamentally changed how environmental and infrastructure projects are designed and implemented. These activities not only improve public service deliveryTo ensure that citizens of all groups are better supported by the government, OGP participating governments are working to improve the quality of and access to public services. Commitments in this are... More but also establish new standards for participatory decision-making, inclusiveness, and accountability in local governance — making them transformative in scope and impact.
3.5 Are there any recommended changes to the design of the commitment to help improve its implementation?
At this stage, no major changes to the design of the commitment appear necessary, as the activities are already well-aligned with OGP values and have shown measurable results in 2025. The commitment is practical, actionable, and addresses both environmental sustainability and citizen participation, making it robust in design.
However, foreseeable challenges could include ensuring the long-term maintenance and expansion of the district heating network, sustaining free public transport financially, and continuously engaging citizens in decision-making processes. To further improve implementation, the municipality could consider establishing regular monitoring and feedback mechanisms, increasing communication about ongoing projects, and integrating more structured citizen consultations to ensure that all groups, including vulnerable populations, remain actively involved and that initiatives remain responsive to evolving urban needs.
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