The municipality of Klos, located near the river Mat, has a rich historical and natural heritage. One of the main attractions is “Ura e Vashës”, with hundreds of years of history. Among other important monuments are the Petralba Fortress and the Illyrian Fortress of Xibri, which makes this municipality an attractive destination just an hour away from the capital. The importance of Klos is also increased by the strategic road of Arbri, which has played an important role in the area’s history.

The Municipality of Klos drew our attention with its proposal for the project “First Steps: Support for the Environment, Participation, and Sports in the Municipality of Klos.” The goal of this project was the construction of the Community Playground Corner, which the European Union funded through the “EU for Municipalities” grant scheme. The total budget allocated to the Klos Municipality for the realization of this project, which has a direct impact on the community, is 53,392 euros, with 47,260 euros contributed by the European Union.

Thanks to this project, the new Community Playground Corner was built, serving about 390 children, as well as parents and grandparents, who are now the main beneficiaries of this new space in the town. The playground equipment installed in the community’s new space is accompanied by appropriate safety measures for children.

During the implementation of the project, the municipality organized a series of educational activities with children dedicated to environmental protection, waste management, and being informed about the values that the European Union promotes.

The Mayor of Klos, Valbona Kola, emphasizes that the main priority is the well-being and happiness of children. She expresses her gratitude for the financial support and experience shared by the EU, which have helped to increase the capacities of the municipality.

“Thanks to the cooperation with the ‘EU for Municipalities’ project, funded by the European Union without impacting the municipality’s budget, we were able to build an entertainment area for the children. I feel infinitely happy and grateful that the EU, through its programs, has come to our Klos, not only supporting us financially but also sharing their expertise for capacity building within the framework of EU integration,” says Mayor Kola.

Klos municipality appreciates the contribution and financial assistance from the European Union and considers the continuation of cooperation very important to improving living conditions in the deepest areas of Klos.

Aurela Burreli, a specialist in European integration and foreign aid in the municipality, appreciates the positive impact the project has had on the community. She says that thanks to the “EU for Municipalities” project, the town now has a place where children can have fun and mothers can spend a quiet afternoon. But that’s not all! She emphasizes the importance this project has had on her professional development and that of her colleagues.

“The team of ‘EU for Municipalities’ has supported us at every step of project implementation through essential training, which will also benefit us in our ongoing projects,” she says.

The project “First Steps: Support for the Environment, Participation, and Sport in the Municipality of Klos” has enriched the life of the community of Klos, creating a new and safe space for entertainment and education, as well as raising awareness of the importance of joint management of resources and public spaces.

EU4Municipalities is a project funded by the European Union. It is implemented by a consortium led by NALAS, the Network of Associations of Local Governments of South-East Europe, (institutionally supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation), in partnership with the Association of Local Autonomy of Albania, EcoPartners for Sustainable Development, and Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development.

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  Valbona Kola, Mayor of Klos

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  Aurela Burreli, Klos Municipality

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