Pristina, 21 June - Today the European Commission officially opened two children playgrounds in Germia and City Park in Pristina. Altogether eight sport field and playground schemes will be completed in four different municipalities in Kosovo this summer with EU funds.

Besides the ones in Pristina, the EU is funding construction of playgrounds, football, basketball and tennis courts and jogging track in Mitrovicë/a, Prizren and Peja/Pec, to be opened in the following weeks.

“Having in mind the young Kosovo population and the importance of practice and games for children and youth development, the European Union is providing attractive and safe areas for play, sports education and, ultimately, for socialising in local communities,” said Kjartan Björnsson, Head of Operations at the EC Liaison Office, who inaugurated the playgrounds together with Isa Mustafa, the mayor of Pristina.   

The playgrounds in Germia and City Park are furnished with modern children playground equipment as well as sitting benches. They were designed having in mind the health and safety of children. The playgrounds stretch over 6000 square meters and are valued over EUR 110,000.

Six other sports fields and playground schemes will be completed within this EU-funded project in three other municipalities: basketball and tennis courts and a children playground in Mitrovicë/a; a football and basketball field, two tennis courts, a jogging track and a children playground next to the city sports centre in Prizren; a multi-purpose sports field and two children playgrounds in Peja/Pec.

Since 2003 the EU has invested EUR 26 million in municipal infrastructure across Kosovo. In April and May 2010 new works began for the construction of buildings, roads, sewage/wastewater and water supply networks in 13 Kosovo municipalities.