About the Conference

The EMHE Affordable Housing Conference is a transformative gathering designed to address the importance of safe housing, family stability, mental wellness, community development, and economic empowerment. The conference brings together policymakers, community leaders, nonprofit organizations, educators, healthcare professionals, faith-based institutions, investors, and families to discuss practical solutions that create sustainable and thriving communities.

Housing is a global challenge, and the crisis is most acute in the Western Balkans and the Global South, where rapid urbanization, population growth, and large housing deficits demand urgent, localized, and actionable solutions. Conferences and convenings worldwide are increasingly prioritizing these realities, focusing on upgrading informal settlements, unlocking inclusive financing models, promoting sustainable building technologies, and designing policy frameworks that stimulate public-private partnerships. The EMHE Affordable Housing Conference embraces this global perspective, recognizing that the challenges and innovations emerging from cities across the Balkans, Europe, and beyond offer valuable lessons for housing advocates everywhere.

The conference emphasizes that a home is more than shelter—it is the foundation of dignity, security, education, health, and economic growth. Through keynote sessions, panel discussions, workshops, networking forums, and community engagement activities, participants will collaborate on strategies that improve housing accessibility, strengthen families, and empower underserved populations.

Conference Theme

“Building Sustainable Foundations: Scaling Affordable and Green Housing in the Western Balkans”

This year’s conference will explore the intersection of affordability, sustainability, and innovation in the housing sector. With a focus on the Western Balkans, we will examine how municipalities, international financial institutions, and private developers can collaborate to create housing solutions that are both affordable and environmentally responsible.

Addressing the Housing Crisis in the Western Balkans

Key themes that will be explored at this year’s conference include policy and regulatory frameworks, focusing on aligning local housing laws with EU standards and streamlining public land use. Innovative financing will be examined through leveraging public-private partnerships and international green bonds. Sustainable construction will be addressed through implementing energy-efficient materials and modular building techniques suited for Balkan climates.

The conference will also address informal settlement transformation through strategies for in-situ community upgrading, participatory planning, and integrating basic infrastructure such as water, sanitation, and power. Alternative and scalable housing finance will be examined through overcoming barriers to traditional mortgages via micro-finance and innovative rent-to-own schemes designed for low-income workers.

Major global and regional convenings continue to shape agendas that reflect these realities. Whether your focus is policy formulation, real estate development, or community-level advocacy, we invite you to join us in shaping a future where safe, dignified, and sustainable housing is a reality for all.

Why Attend

Our conference is designed to bring together the full spectrum of housing professionals, from the boardroom to the building site, from policy halls to community centers. Whether you are a developer, investor, policymaker, advocate, or academic, this event offers practical insights and meaningful connections tailored to your role.

Developers and Homebuilders will walk away with a deeper understanding of zoning reforms, innovative building strategies, and how to structure successful public-private partnerships that get projects off the ground. Investors and Lenders will have the opportunity to explore project funding pipelines, understand complex capital stacks, and learn about bond funding, tax credits, and other financing mechanisms that make affordable housing viable. Policymakers and Government Officials will engage in critical conversations about community development, infrastructure frameworks, and the regulatory reforms needed to unlock housing at scale. Nonprofits and Advocates will find a space to network with like-minded partners, access grant opportunities, and amplify their voice in the affordable housing conversation. Academics and Researchers will find dedicated sessions exploring the unique challenges and solutions for housing in the Western Balkans and beyond.

What makes the EMHE Affordable Housing Conference truly unique is our holistic approach. While many events focus narrowly on finance or policy, we bring together the entire housing ecosystem under one roof. Our three-day program is carefully curated to bridge the gap between global trends and local action, between innovative financing and on-the-ground implementation, and between policy vision and community reality.

Attendees will not only gain access to world-class speakers and thought leaders but will also participate in interactive workshops, strategy sessions, and networking forums designed to turn ideas into action. Whether you are exploring climate resilient building materials, seeking partners for a new development, or shaping the next generation of housing policy, this conference provides the platform, the people, and the practical tools you need to make a lasting impact.

We also place a strong emphasis on actionable outcomes. Our third day is dedicated entirely to the presentation of action plans, commitment announcements, and partnership building. This ensures that every participant leaves not just inspired, but equipped with concrete next steps.

 Invited Speakers

Dr. Sc. Venera Goxha
Researcher and Urban Planning Expert
Research focuses on demographic characteristics and their impact on the development of formal settlements and spatial planning management in Kosovo.
Topic: Demographic Trends and Spatial Planning

Dr. Fjollë Caka
Architect, Urban Planner, and Sociologist
Expert in sustainable urban development with over 10 years of experience across government, academia, and international organizations. Specializes in climate-smart urban planning and resilient city strategies.
Topic: Climate-Smart Urban Planning and Sustainable Housing

Safete Veliu Rexhepi
Researcher, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Architecture
Co-author of a comprehensive study on housing policies in Kosovo from 1947 to 2021.
Topic: Historical Review of Housing Policies in Kosovo

Banush Shyqeriu

Leader of the Project Management Unit, Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure of the Republic of Kosovo
Expert in housing policy reform leading the implementation of social and affordable housing support programmes in Kosovo.
Topic: Reforming Policies for Diversifying Housing Programmes in Kosovo

Përparim Rama
Mayor of Pristina; Architect and Urban Planner
Renowned architect and urban planner with experience in spatial planning and the drafting of Pristina’s regulatory plan.
Topic: Municipal Strategies for Land Allocation and Reducing Red Tape

**Prof. Dr. Binak Beqaj**
Professor, UBT – Higher Education Institution
Leading academic expert on spatial planning in Kosovo with extensive research on the intersection of urban development and housing policy.
Topic: Spatial and Urban Planning Process in Kosovo and Its Challenges

Arbër Sadiki
Director of Urban Planning Department, Municipality of Pristina
Responsible for the city’s spatial and urban development strategies with expertise in municipal land-use and regulatory frameworks.
Topic: Local Government’s Role in Affordable Housing

Dr. Irena Perfanova
Chair of the Real Estate Market Advisory Group, UNECE (UN Economic Commission for Europe)
Expert in real estate markets and housing finance with a European and international perspective.
Topic: Affordable and Social Housing and Real Estate Economics

MSc. Rame Hamzaj
Expert in Housing Finance and Management
Specialist in the financial and operational aspects of social and affordable housing.
Topic: Financing and Management of Affordable and Social Housing

Agenda

Day 1 – Policy, Needs, and Financial Frameworks
November 12, 2026

Morning sessions include registration and networking coffee, opening keynote on “The State of Housing Affordability in Southeast Europe,” and a ministerial panel on municipal strategies for land allocation and reducing red tape in Pristina. Late morning features a networking coffee and exhibition walk, followed by parallel sessions on financing models and legal hurdles in property rights. Afternoon sessions include a lunch break and investor matchmaking roundtables for B2G and B2B capital alignment. The evening concludes with an official welcome dinner and networking gala.

Day 2 – Innovation, Implementation, and Sustainable Solutions
November 13, 2026

Morning sessions include a tech and design plenary on green architecture, energy retrofitting, and climate resilience, followed by a coffee break and case studies presentations on successful low-cost social housing models from across Europe. Afternoon sessions feature breakout workshops on community-led housing initiatives, affordable housing technology solutions, and financing mechanisms for sustainable development. The evening concludes with a cultural showcase and networking reception.

Day 3 – Action Plans and Future Commitments
November 14, 2026

Morning sessions include an inspirational address titled “Creating Hope Through Community Action” and interactive strategy workshops. Afternoon sessions feature the presentation of action plans, commitment and partnership announcements, and the closing ceremony, followed by optional technical site visits to local urban development projects in Kosovo.