The children of the Bishevac neighborhood of Mitrovica North now have a new playground right in their community. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) built the playground at the request of local residents, through its Democratic Effective Municipalities Initiative. The USAID program works to improve the lives of people in non-majority communities of Kosovo by supporting community development and infrastructure. After consultation with local residents, the local Municipal Preparatory Team (MPT) told USAID that the playground was a top priority for the community.

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Philip Reeker inaugurated the new playground with U.S. Ambassador Christopher Dell. During the event, Reeker said that Municipal Preparatory Teams assist the government’s process of decentralization, which helps local communities determine “how your lives will be led, how your children will be raised and how the international community can support that effort.” While in Mitrovica North, Reeker also visited with business leaders at the new USAID-supported Regional Community Resource Center.