# Waste management challenges in Prishtina

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/waste-management-challenges-in-prishtina
> Updated: 2026-09-07T13:37:55.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 3.

In Prishtina, Mayor Përparim Rama and Petrit Reçica, head of the waste management company ‘Pastrimi’, addressed deteriorating sanitation levels in the capital. Rama identified structural governance issues within the company, noting that despite Prishtina holding a 77.6 percent stake, the municipality is represented by only one of the four board members. This imbalance reportedly limits the city’s ability to implement reforms.

Reçica stated that while the company serves over 400,000 citizens, it lacks sufficient support from the central government. He argued that waste management should be treated as a “matter of national interest” rather than a local concern.

Following these systemic challenges, Mayor Rama accused Acting Finance Minister Hekuran Murati of causing the failure of a German government grant intended for the city’s waste management sector. According to Rama, the German Development Bank (KfW) notified the municipality that the grant for the ‘Cleaning’ project failed because the Ministry of Finance did not sign the required Financing Agreement. Rama described the situation as “heavy and shameful,” noting the need to explain the failure to international partners.

In response to the loss of this international funding, the Municipality of Prishtina has announced plans to establish a Municipal Cleaning Enterprise. This local entity is intended to manage waste issues using the municipality’s own competencies, a decision expected to be addressed in an upcoming session of the Prishtina Municipal Assembly.

## Claims

- The German KfW grant for the ‘Cleaning’ project failed because the Ministry of Finance did not sign the Financing Agreement. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Acting Finance Minister Hekuran Murati failed to sign the agreement. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Municipality of Prishtina has decided to create a Municipal Cleaning Enterprise to manage waste independently. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-07: Prishtina Mayor blames Finance Minister for failed German waste management grant

Prishtina Mayor Përparim Rama accused Finance Minister Hekuran Murati of blocking a German KfW grant for waste management, prompting the city to plan its own municipal cleaning enterprise.

17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/prishtina-mayor-accuses-finance-minister-of-blocking-german-waste-management-grant

### 2026-08-26: Prishtina Mayor addresses waste management crisis in capital

Prishtina Mayor Përparim Rama is seeking solutions for the capital's waste management crisis, citing governance imbalances in the 'Pastrimi' company and a lack of central government support.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/prishtina-mayor-addresses-waste-management-crisis-in-capital

### 2026-08-20: Lushnje waste crisis: Deputy Korreshi denounces illegal dumping

Democratic Party Deputy Saimir Korreshi has denounced the waste management crisis in Lushnje, alleging illegal dumping at a former paper factory and financial mismanagement regarding waste collection.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lushnje-waste-crisis-deputy-korreshi-denounces-illegal-dumping

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Cite as: Waste management challenges in Prishtina. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/waste-management-challenges-in-prishtina