About us
UN-HABITAT in South East Europe
UN-HABITAT in South
Regional Capacity Strengthening Programme
for Urban Development and Housing in South
In
September 2004, Western Balkan countries signed the “Vienna Declaration on
Informal Settlements in South East Europe (SEE)”, committing themselves to
undertake measures to address issues and to initiate and implement reforms in
the wider orbit of sustainable development and social housing.
The Vienna
Ministerial Conference also agreed to develop a capacity strengthening
instrument and the preparation of a coherent programme proposal for the SEE
region. The Stability Pact brought together senior housing and urban management
specialists from SEE, from the International Organizations, UN-HABITAT, EIB,
CEB and interested EU member states, to develop a strategy and establish
partnerships for the development of a “Regional Capacity Strengthening
Programme for Urban Development and Housing in SEE” (RCSP).
Due to the
absence of key EU institutions responsible for matters related to urban
development and housing, it has been agreed that UN-HABITAT is well placed to
be the main implementing agency of this regional capacity-strengthening programme.
Following the endorsement of the programme by SEE stakeholders and IFI’s, many
activities have taken place including national workshops in the countries of
SEE and a regional workshop for the national municipal associations.
Since 2005,
regular bi-annual Vienna Declaration Review meetings have been held in various
countries of the region. The latest one, in February 2009, was held in
UN-HABITAT
is currently formulating a new Programme Document for a three-year regional
programme to cover