On 30 September 2025, Democracy Plus (D+) organized a workshop in Prishtina as part of the GENERATE Project, led by the University of Manchester. The workshop, titled “Towards Zero-Carbon Heating in Kosovo: Pathways and Perspectives,” brought together key stakeholders from government, civil society, the private sector, and the energy community to discuss how Kosovo can transition to cleaner and more sustainable heating systems.

The event opened with remarks by the University of Manchester’s representative, Giulia Mininni, and was followed by insightful presentations from institutional representatives and practitioners actively working on decarbonization initiatives. First, Ibush Mjekiqi, Deputy Mayor of Obiliq Municipality, shared the municipality’s plans for decarbonization and the findings of its feasibility study for district heating. His presentation emphasized the potential of local-level initiatives to drive change in the energy transition process.

Second, Adeа Kondirolli, Project Manager at Open Society Foundation Western Balkans, introduced the “Sunny Schools” project, a pioneering initiative that equips schools with solar panels, simultaneously reducing energy poverty and promoting renewable energy use in education facilities, and raising awareness about the energy renewable sources. Her intervention demonstrated how community-led initiatives can make renewable energy tangible, inclusive, and impactful.

Following the presentations, a panel discussion titled “Pathways Toward Clean Heating: Lessons from Kosovo’s Energy Transition” brought together diverse perspectives from institutions and the private sector. Panelists included Besiana Qorraj from the Ministry of Economy, Gentiana Alija, CEO of Alfa Solar, and Shend Boshnjaku, an independent energy expert. The session was moderated by Albana Rexha, Senior Policy Analyst at D+.

The discussion underscored that transitioning to sustainable heating is not just a technological challenge – it is a social, economic, and governance issue. Participants reflected on the importance of energy efficiency, the role of municipalities in local energy planning, and the need to raise awareness about the importance of other energy renewable sources.

Importantly, the conversation also highlighted the role of women in the energy transition, both as professionals in the sector and as community actors advocating for sustainable solutions. Ensuring gender responsiveness in energy policies was emphasized as a key component of achieving a just transition.

The workshop concluded with a shared recognition that Kosovo’s path toward zero-carbon heating requires a multi-stakeholder approach, long-term policy commitment, inclusiveness, and continuous dialogue between public institutions, academia, civil society, and the private sector. Initiatives like GENERATE provide a vital platform for such collaboration, fostering knowledge exchange, encouraging experimentation, and inspiring a vision of a cleaner, more equitable energy future.

At D+, we believe that the energy transition is not only about infrastructure but also about empowerment and inclusion. By building bridges between government, businesses and communities, we can pave the way for policies and projects that make sustainable heating a reality for everyone.

As Kosovo continues to shape its energy future, platforms like this workshop remind us that each stakeholder has a role to play in generating a greener tomorrow.