The Association of Kosovo Municipalities (AKM) has called on the government to turn the European Commission’s recommendations for Kosovo, included in the 2026 progress report, into concrete measures. The organization highlights the financing and respect of municipalities’ autonomy as priorities.
AKM head Sazan Ibrahimi told the media that the report reinforces the association’s longstanding concerns regarding financing, public property and municipal powers.
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Ibrahimi singled out the transfer of funds planned for capital investments in education and healthcare toward covering current expenses. According to him, this practice hinders local projects and weakens municipalities’ financial autonomy.
He said the report’s conclusions support the demand for the government to assume the obligations set out in collective agreements, as well as the creation of a fourth grant for capital investments.
The European Commission also recommends a special grant for social services, which the AKM has been requesting for a long time to ensure sustainable funding, according to Ibrahimi.
The association’s executive director also raised concerns about the central-level concentration of public property management, as well as the lack of regular cooperation between central and local institutions. He called for municipal powers to be respected and for continuous dialogue to be developed.
The AKM called on the government to take concrete measures to protect municipalities’ investments, ensure sustainable financial resources, and respect municipal property and powers. Ibrahimi stressed that protecting local autonomy also means protecting citizens’ interests.
