Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and French Development Agency (Agence Française de Développement – AFD) have officially signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which opens the way for a strategic partnership in support of the XXI Mediterranean Games – Prishtina 2030.
The signing of this Memorandum marks an important moment in Kosovo’s preparations for organizing the Mediterranean Games.
MESTI and MCYS will work in close coordination to advance the development of the Athletes’ Village at the Student Complex of the University of Prishtina, the renovation and adaptation of the Sports Hall of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, as well as the modernization of twelve sports halls of public schools which will serve as official training centers. These facilities will be adapted to meet the operational needs of the Games and will continue to serve the education and sports sectors even after their completion.
AFD, as the French public institution for finance development, brings extensive experience in supporting large-scale infrastructure development initiatives and technical assistance. Through this MoU, AFD has agreed to finance the initial phase of technical assistance for project preparation, integrating the highest technical, environmental and social standards. The cooperation will rely on the institutional experience of France, especially from the experience of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and reflects AFD’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive urban development, as well as to meeting the Global Goals for Sustainable Development.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Daulina Osmani, welcomed the signing as a major step forward, emphasizing that the partnership with AFD not only supports the successful organization of the Mediterranean Games, but also contributes to Kosovo’s long-term development priorities in sports and youth infrastructure.
The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Taulant Kelmendi, emphasized the strategic value of this cooperation in transforming university and school facilities into modern and functional environments that will serve students for decades. AFD’s Regional Director for the Western Balkans, Arnaud Dauphin, emphasized: “The French Development Agency is committed to supporting Kosovo in providing comprehensive, quality and environmentally friendly infrastructure, with sustainable social impact”.
About the French Development Agency (AFD)
The AFD Group contributes to the implementation of French policies for sustainable development and international solidarity. The group includes the French Development Agency (AFD), which finances the public sector, NGOs, scientific research and training; its branch “Proparco”, dedicated to the private sector; and Expertise France, the technical cooperation agency.
The AFD Group finances, supports and accelerates necessary transitions towards a fairer and more resilient world. Active in the Western Balkans since 2019, the AFD Group is mandated to assist countries in the region in meeting EU standards and implementing the Paris Agreement on climate change, towards an inclusive and low-carbon development trajectory. Since then, the AFD Group has committed more than 1 billion euros in the Western Balkans, through 17 active projects.
Last modified: July 17, 2025
