In the context of Kosovo’s efforts to strengthen its water management policies and align with EU environmental standards, UNOPS has responded to the critical need for legal and strategic support to the Water Division of the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (MESPI). Through the drafting of the new law on financing of water management, the initiative has addressed gaps in the legislative framework to comply with the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) on sustainable water resource management, including appropriate financial mechanisms, driving clean water access and overall environmental sustainability. UNOPS experts also sought to enhance the Water Division’s capacity to implement sustainable water policies, address critical infrastructure and pollution challenges, and integrate EU best practices.

UNOPS advisors provided support for drafting the new law on financing of water management. This included advising ministerial officials on water resource financing, analyzing relevant legislation and EU standards, evaluating water resource balances, assessing financial aspects of water tariffs, and preparing draft legislation with acquis compatibility tables. In that way, the K4R programme delivered the draft law, which was adopted by the Government in June 2024.

Finally, the K4R experts drafted a sub-legal act on metering and reporting systems for water abstraction and discharge. This framework has established the basis for water charges calculation – a critical revenue source for sustainable water resource management.

The work of the K4R advisors has ensured that the new law lays the foundation for improved water infrastructure, better access to clean water and enhanced environmental sustainability. Through the sub-legal act on metering and reporting, transparency and accountability in water use are ensured, which can lead to more equitable distribution and reduced misuse of resources. Finally, the revenue generated from water charges is expected to fund critical investments in water management systems, directly benefiting communities by addressing water scarcity, improving sanitation and mitigating pollution.

The assignment directly supports SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation by improving water quality, reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and substantially increasing water recycling and safe reuse.