A visit by Swiss Ambassador Christoph Graf was carried out in Shijak today where a strategy for territorial development was discussed with interest groups. In discussions with Mayor Ardian Kokomani, municipal staff, representatives from the Ministry of Urban Development, and experts and consultants, the main topics were development plans for the enlarged Shijak municipality and the progress made in urban infrastructure and waste management.
“I want to encourage you to continue to build a strategic vision for development in this municipality, and to do it by considering the views and voices of communities. Involve resources and build partnerships with all concerned – public and private, local and central, any institution or group that can both help Shijak, and benefit from its progress”, said Swiss Ambassador Christoph Graf. He concluded with a call for consultations with the public: “Listen to your community, communicate with your citizens, and follow through with the work you agree to do. And then, continue to do the same”.
Mayor Kokomani thanked the Swiss delegation and presented his municipality’s progress especially in relation to improvements in the urban infrastructure, the challenge with flooding risks, and the issue of waste management.
Municipal staff presented the strategy for territorial development and the concept of ‘functional area’ which sees the region in the light of economic and social development opportunities and not just as an administrative unit. One of the projects under this new approach is the waste management planning, funded through the dldp programme and with contributions from the municipality. The project implemented by Milieukontakt will give the Municipality of Shijak the basis for future interventions and investments in waste management.
Present at the event were around 30 representatives of interest groups, businesses and citizens. Participation in open and public consultations is one of the key practices introduced by the Swiss decentralisation programme, dldp.
After the discussions at the Municipality hall, the delegation visited the village of Hardhishte where a group of students were organising a clean-up operation and informing inhabitants about waste collection and environmental solutions. This event was supported by both dldp and Shijak Municipality.
