Methodologies for Assessing the Real Cost to Health of Environmental Stressors, consultation meeting

The Institute for Social Policy Musine Kokalari is a partner organization in the Horizon Europe-funded MARCHES project, which endeavors to refine methodologies for assessing the intricate health costs associated with environmental stressors throughout Europe. With a targeted focus on two primary areas of concern – air pollution and drinking water nitrate contamination – MARCHES endeavors to establish comprehensive guidelines and unit prices for conducting socio-economic analyses. Collaborating closely with public authorities in six diverse European regions, including Kosovo, the project aims to elevate the standards of integrated impact assessments. By extending exposure modeling and addressing emerging health endpoints, MARCHES aspires to establish a robust framework that can effectively quantify the multifaceted health impacts of environmental stressors. This ambitious initiative, spanning from 2023 to 2026 with a total funding of €4 million, represents a concerted effort towards fostering a healthier and more sustainable European landscape.

More information on the project:

We recently played host to an important stakeholder workshop centered on the critical issue of air pollution in Kosovo. As an integral component of the broader MARCHES project, this gathering brought together esteemed researchers from Aarhus University, Tartu University, and ISGlobal Barcelona, alongside public authorities and Civil Society Organizations from Kosovo. The workshop served as a dynamic platform for collaborative discourse, delving into diverse topics such as mitigation strategies, cost-benefit analyses, and the profound health implications of air pollution. Notably, two insightful focus groups were convened to explore mitigation measures tailored to the Kosovo context and to examine the nuanced health ramifications of air pollution.

The Institute would like to express gratitude to all participants for their contributions towards advancing environmental health research and fostering collective action for a cleaner, healthier future.

April 17, 2024