France and Kosovo strengthen their partnership with a €60 million AFD financing to support the 2030 Mediterranean Games and modernize education infrastructure

jacquetg@afd.fr

Published

28 Jul 2026

France and Kosovo strengthen their partnership with a €60 million AFD financing to support the 2030 Mediterranean Games and modernize education infrastructurejacquetg@afd.frTue, 28 Jul, 2026 - 15:07 France and Kosovo strengthen their partnership In the field July 28, 2026 0 Kosovo Prishtina, 27 July 2026 – On the occasion of the first visit of the French Minister Delegate for European Affairs, Benjamin Haddad, to Kosovo, the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Government of Kosovo signed a €60 million financing agreement to support the preparation of the XXI Mediterranean Games. The agreement was signed by Hekuran Murati, Minister of Finance, and Arnaud Dauphin, AFD Dircetor of the Western Balkan Regional office, in the presence of Benjamin Haddad and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca.With the Mediterranean Games in 2030, Kosovo will host the largest international sporting event in its history. Beyond the Games, the project seeks to transform this opportunity into a driver of sustainable urban development, improved public education infrastructure and stronger social inclusion, in line with Kosovo's reform agenda and the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.AFD is providing a €60 million sovereign loan, complemented by €1.2 million in technical assistance. The financing will support the renovation and expansion of the University of Prishtina Student Campus, which will temporarily serve as the Athletes' Village in 2030, before returning to its primary educational purpose. It will also finance the rehabilitation of sports facilities in 12 primary and secondary schools and the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, which will host training sessions during the Games.The project includes among others renovation of student residences, extension of the student canteen, the construction of new residences, a health centrer, an administrative building, a semi-Olympic swimming pool and multi-purpose student facilities. These new infrastructures will integrate high standards of energy efficiency, accessibility, safety, environmental sustainability and inclusion.More than 40,000 students and schoolchildren are expected to benefit directly from the project. Beyond supporting the successful delivery of the Mediterranean Games, the investment will modernize education and sports infrastructure, improve student living conditions and leave a lasting social, educational and urban legacy for Prishtina and Kosovo. The project also aims to make sport more accessible to girls and young women, contributing to greater participation, empowerment and equal opportunities through safe, inclusive and modern facilities. The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Sports, in coordination with the Ministry of Education and the Municipality of Prishtina, through a dedicated Project Implementation Unit.This operation is AFD's second sovereign financing in Kosovo. It follows a €80 million climate and energy policy-based loan signed in March 2026, co-financed with KfW, confirming France's long-term commitment to supporting Kosovo's sustainable development and European integration.