The environment has not been a priority of the government in Kosovo, both at the local and central level, and this should be changed in order to stop further degradation and improve the living environment for citizens, it was said at the conference organized in Prizren by EC Ma Ndryshe. During the conference with the theme "Improving the living environment through the inspection and regulation of public spaces", the findings of the research related to the environmental inspection at the municipal level were presented, as well as the practices of interventions in public spaces to increase care for the environment. Ms. Linda Çavdarbasha deputy minister in the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Mr. Kujtim Gashi, deputy mayor of the Municipality of Prizren and Mrs. Rozafa Basha, professor at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Prishtina participated in the panel.

At the beginning, the research report "Environment - a priority left aside by the municipalities" was presented to the attendees together with the findings and recommendations (https://ecmandryshe.org/repository/docs/220214134520_Mjedisi___Prioritet_i_lene_anash_nga_komunatrrr_.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3tiUooG4qtnhwUlFZUqhqtTN9WWTSvHq7PRQ79OPKDs9Tv4oHC8u0aHkY_aem_AXGqmDPd39OfHES10nBb2Va0Bum3leqG48TqDw8nqXQQuSlaSsXybuLKo_956zVuf8HxMa430s1MW-VAQGgnGO2M) , continuing with Ms. Nora Simitҫiu, who presented the work and practices developed throughout 2021 for the benefit of the environment within the project "Activism for human rights and environmental protection".

During her speech, Deputy Minister Ms. Çavdarbasha emphasized that the environment has not really been a priority from the municipalities or from the central level, and added that for this reason changes should be started in this aspect. She announced that MMPHI is currently engaged in drafting public policies aimed at improving the environment sector, in which case she mentioned the drafting and approval of several national strategies. According to her, the plan for the reduction of plastic bags is also on the agenda, then the deposit return system, while the focus is also on the supply of drinking water to citizens. In addition, she has admitted that the insufficient number of inspectors continues to be a concern, clarifying that MMPHI has only 12 of them covering the entire territory of Kosovo, which according to her is a significant challenge.

The discussion continued with the vice president Mr. Gashi, who also emphasized that the environment is a problem for both the local and the central level. According to him, the lack of inspectors and necessary mechanisms prevents the municipality from carrying out the normal course of engagement towards improving this situation. He then mentioned the municipality's plans for the coming years, thus emphasizing the expansion of the sewage plant project to include the neighborhoods from which the sewage flows into Drini i Bardhë. According to him, one of the main priorities of the current government will be the addition of green spaces in the Municipality of Prizren, while there will also be commitments to regulate urban traffic, through "Green" buses to reduce environmental pollution, as well as plans related to creation of bicycle paths.

While Mrs. Basha emphasized that construction is the biggest polluter not only as a process, but also due to the fact that it reduces the green surfaces, thus contributing completely to the degradation of the environment. She also presented statistics as well as good examples of other countries, regarding green space per inhabitant, and their impact on the environment and social life. He also emphasized that the comprehensive approach should be applied when planning public spaces, so that they are functional for all groups of citizens.

Meanwhile, during the open discussion, the participants who were from different fields asked numerous questions related to the topic of the conference, as well as addressing requests for the addition of projects for the benefit of the environment, for recycling to be prioritized, for inspection to be added in terms of the environmental aspect and in protected areas, as well as to realize the construction of bicycle paths as soon as possible.

In the end, Mr. Fisnik Sopjani from the CDF, who concluded the discussion with the encouragement to continue such work and present ideas for solutions, because joint commitment is necessary to improve the current situation.