EMHE Affordable Housing Conference — Pristina, Kosovo

EMHE Affordable Housing Conference 2026 — Pristina, Kosovo
Date: 25–27 November 2026
Venue: Swiss Diamond Hotel, Pristina, Kosovo
Conference Theme: “Building Sustainable Foundations: Scaling Affordable and Green Housing in the Western Balkans”

The EMHE Affordable Housing Conference is a three-day gathering bringing together housing professionals, policymakers, urban planners, developers, investors, researchers, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders to explore practical solutions to housing affordability and sustainable urban development.

With a focus on the Western Balkans, the conference will examine how municipalities, international financial institutions, and private developers can collaborate to deliver housing that is affordable, environmentally responsible, and accessible to underserved communities.

The conference recognizes that a home is more than shelter. Secure housing provides a foundation for dignity, security, education, health, family stability, and economic opportunity. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions, technical sessions, workshops, and networking forums, participants will explore strategies for improving housing accessibility and building stronger communities.

Key discussions will address housing policy and regulatory reform, alignment with EU standards, public land use, innovative financing, public-private partnerships, international green bonds, energy-efficient construction, modular building techniques, and climate-resilient design. The program will also examine informal settlement upgrading, participatory planning, land rights, and alternative financing models for low-income households.

The event welcomes developers and homebuilders, investors and lenders, government officials, municipal planners, nonprofit organizations, housing advocates, academics, and researchers interested in housing policy and sustainable development in Kosovo, the Western Balkans, and beyond.

Participants will have opportunities to exchange knowledge, explore successful housing models, identify potential partners, and develop practical approaches to affordable and environmentally sustainable housing. The final day emphasizes action plans, partnership commitments, and future collaboration.

Join us in Pristina from 25–27 November 2026 to help shape a future where safe, affordable, dignified, and sustainable housing is accessible to all.

Featured and invited speakers :

Speaker Position / expertise Conference topic:
Dr. Sc. Venera Goxha Researcher and Urban Planning Expert; focuses on demographic trends, formal settlements, and spatial planning in Kosovo Demographic Trends and Spatial Planning
Dr. Fjollë Caka Architect, Urban Planner, and Sociologist; specializes in climate-smart urban planning and resilient cities Climate-Smart Urban Planning and Sustainable Housing
Safete Veliu Rexhepi Researcher, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Architecture; co-author of a study on Kosovo housing policies from 1947–2021 Historical Review of Housing Policies in Kosovo
Banush Shyqeriu Leader of the Project Management Unit, Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure of Kosovo Reforming Policies for Diversifying Housing Programmes in Kosovo 
Përparim Rama Mayor of Pristina; architect and urban planner Municipal Strategies for Land Allocation and Reducing Red Tape Prof. Dr. Binak Beqaj Professor, UBT – Higher Education Institution; spatial planning and housing policy expert Spatial and Urban Planning Process in Kosovo and Its Challenges
Arbër Sadiki Director of Urban Planning Department, Municipality of Pristina Local Government’s Role in Affordable Housing Dr. Irena Perfanova Chair of the Real Estate Market Advisory Group, UNECE Affordable and Social Housing and Real Estate Economics MSc. Rame Hamzaj Expert in Housing Finance and Management Financing and Management of Affordable and Social Housing.

Key conference tags, topics, or highlights.

Housing Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: Aligning local housing regulations with EU standards, streamlining public land use, and improving the policy environment for affordable housing.
Innovative Housing Finance: Public-private partnerships, international green bonds, microfinance, and rent-to-own models for low-income households.
Green and Sustainable Construction: Energy-efficient materials, modular construction, sustainable design, and building methods suited to Balkan climates.
Climate-Smart Urban Planning: Resilient city strategies, climate adaptation, and sustainable urban development.
Informal Settlement Transformation: In-situ community upgrading, participatory planning, and access to water, sanitation, and electricity.
Land Allocation and Property Rights: Municipal land-use strategies, property-rights challenges, and reducing administrative barriers.
Affordable and Social Housing: Housing programmes, delivery models, management, and economic considerations.
Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between local and national governments, financial institutions, developers, and investors.
Regional and International Collaboration: Sharing housing innovations and policy lessons from Kosovo, the Western Balkans, and other regions.

Three-day conference programme Day 1 — Wednesday, 25 November 2026 Policy, Needs, and Financial Frameworks Morning
•    Registration and networking coffee
•    Opening keynote: “The State of Housing Affordability in Southeast Europe”
•    Ministerial panel on municipal strategies for land allocation and reducing red tape in Pristina
•    Networking coffee and exhibition walk
•    Parallel sessions on financing models and legal hurdles in property rights Afternoon
•    Lunch break
•    Investor matchmaking roundtables for business-to-government (B2G) and business-to-business (B2B) capital alignment        Evening
•    Official welcome dinner and networking gala

Day 2 — Thursday, 26 November 2026 Innovation, Implementation, and Sustainable Solutions Morning

•    Technology and design plenary on green architecture, energy retrofitting, and climate resilience
•    Coffee break
•    Case studies on successful low-cost social housing models from across Europe Afternoon
•    Breakout workshops on community-led housing initiatives
•    Affordable housing technology solutions
•    Financing mechanisms for sustainable development Evening
•    Cultural showcase
•    Networking reception

Day 3 — Friday, 27 November 2026 Action Plans and Future Commitments Morning

•    Inspirational address: “Creating Hope Through Community Action”
•    Interactive strategy workshops Afternoon
•    Presentation of action plans
•    Commitment and partnership announcements
Closing ceremony
Optional technical site visits to local urban development projects in Kosovo
Venue information : Swiss Diamond Hotel, Pristina, Kosovo ... a venue with meeting facilities, complimentary Wi-Fi, on-site dining, and accessible spaces intended to support professional dialogue and networking. The venue is accessible from Pristina International Airport (PRN), with parking available. 

Registration information and attendee benefits, the registration fee includes:

•    Full access to all conference sessions.
•    Networking events.
•    Meals, including breakfast, lunch, and receptions.
•   Conference materials.
Other registration details:
•   Group discounts: Available for groups of five or more; contact the organizer for a custom rate.
•   Session recordings: The page states that recordings will be available to registered attendees after the conference.
•   Accommodation: A limited number of rooms is reserved at a preferred rate. Early booking is recommended.
•   Visa support letters: International attendees must register and pay first. Processing time is five to ten business days, and applicants should ideally submit their requests six to eight weeks before travel.
Visa disclaimer: A support letter does not guarantee visa approval.
Intended audience & target audience field: Affordable housing developers and homebuilders; real estate investors and lenders; municipal and national government officials; policymakers; urban planners and architects; nonprofit organizations; housing advocates; academics and researchers; international financial institutions; and professionals working in sustainable construction, social housing, land administration, housing finance, and regional development.