Are municipalities losing up to 15 million EURO as a result of MAPL's neglect?

All of this is happening according to AKK chairman Sahan Ibrahimi, because of the neglect of the MAPL.

“The AKK, being a key partner in implementing projects with municipalities and carefully following this process, has sought clarifications from MAPL, but unfortunately, until today, MAPL has offered no official clarification, leaving municipalities without information on a matter of great impact on local development.”, Abraham said.

Full announcement:

The Kosovo Communists Association (AKK) expresses serious concern and based on the real risk of losing financial means up to 15m euros from European Commission funds dedicated to municipalities in the Republic of Kosovo under call IPA III “EU for Good government”.

During the implementation of the Communist Performance Grant project, international donors such as EU, SDC, AIDS and the Norwegian Embassy have been key contributors through their direct funds, bringing tangible benefits to citizens in municipalities, helping and improving services and increasing the quality of living.

Based on information provided by the AKK, it turns out that the European Commission has rejected the proposal submitted by MAPL, because it has not met EU required standards and criteria, and as a consequence municipalities in the coming years will lose up to 15m euros. The AKK, being a key partner in implementing projects with municipalities and carefully following this process, has sought clarifications from MAPL, but unfortunately, until today, MAPL has offered no official clarification, leaving municipalities without information on a matter of great impact on local development.

The municipalities of the Republic of Kosovo are totally unacceptable to be penalised and left without vital funds, only because of institutional inability to draft and submit a serious proposal and in line with European standards. The European Commission's refusal is an alarm signal, not only for MAPL, but for the entire central government.

How AKK, we will not remain silent in the face of this serious failure. We seek immediate accountability, full transparency and an urgent review of the way municipalities are handled in relation to international donors. The municipalities cannot remain hostage to the irresponsibleness of someone who does not represent their interest in a worthy manner. The AKK will take all institutional steps to protect the right of municipalities to be direct beneficiaries of European funds, and to ensure that failure and lack of involvement do not further harm local development in the country.” Shazan Ibrahimi, AKK Executive Director, said.

The AKK stresses that the loss of these funds poses a serious damage by jeopardising the continuation of projects that have brought direct results in improving the lives of citizens. In this direction, the AKK calls for immediate transparency, for an internal institutional investigation into the application process and for full involvement of municipalities at any stage of design and management of projects affecting them directly.