Democratic Governance and Decentralization

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1 Swiss Cooperation Office Kosovo Swiss Cooperation Programme in Kosovo List of ongoing projects October 2014 Democratic Governance and Decentralization Decentralization and Municipal Support - DEMOS Phase I Inception phase: January 2014 June 2014 Main implementation phase: July 2014 to December 2017 Swiss Commitment CHF 12,500,000 Association of Kosovar Municipalities (AKM), Ministry of Local Governance Administration (MLGA). Implementer / Consultant Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation. AKM. DEMOS supports Kosovo in its transition process towards a democratic, decentralised state in which municipality exercises socially inclusive governance and provide effective services responding to citizens priorities and needs. The DEMOS component 1) intervenes at the horizontal level through direct support to 17 municipalities in Kosovo. Within its component 2) the project supports the Association of Kosovo Municipalities (AKM) with on budget core funding aiming to enable the AKM to successfully carry out its core mandate: advocacy and lobbying at central level on behalf of municipal authorities and serve as an effective platform for networking, training and exchange. The component 3) intervenes at the vertical level by fostering a conducive framework for decentralisation through support to relevant actors of the central government. Support to the Kosovo Property Agency (KPA) Phase V May 2011 June 2014 Swiss Commitment CHF 2,498,000, Kosovo Consolidated Budget, Norway, Sweden, USA, UK, Partners Kosovo Property Agency, Eulex Implementer / Consultant Kosovo Property Agency Clear and undisputed property titles play a fundamental role in the recovery from conflict in Kosovo. Therefore, the Kosovo Property Agency (KPA) was established in 2006 with the mandate to resolve private immovable property claims arising out of the 1999 conflict, including disputes over agricultural and commercial property. The Government of Switzerland has as well supported the predecessor of KPA, the Housing and Property Directorate, which had the mandate to resolve residential property claims. In addition to the resolution of claims by case processing, the KPA ensures the effective implementation of final decisions. 1

2 Establishment of a Notary System in Kosovo Phase III March 2012 December 2014 Swiss Commitment CHF 1,000,000, Ministry of Justice Implementer / Consultant Institut des Hautes Etudes Notariales (IHN, Lausanne) The project contributes to the consolidation of the judicial system in Kosovo by supporting the development and the implementation of an operational notary system. Technical inputs will be provided in drafting the secondary legislation and harmonizing other legal provisions. The project will further facilitate the set up of the Kosovo chamber of notaries and a training system for notaries. It will lead to a more effective and efficient legal system, considering the courts shall be relieved of the majority of noncontentious cases and thus citizens will have better access to justice. Support to the Population and Housing Census 2011 and Agricultural Census 2013 Phase I January 2011 December 2015 Swiss Commitment CHF 1,825,000, Ministry of Public Administration, European Commission Liaison Office, DFID, SIDA; Luxembourg, Denmark Implementation partners Kosovo Statistical Agency (KAS), UNOPS The Population and Housing Census (PHC) was held in April 2011 and is intended to provide a wide range of reliable statistical data (demographic, socio-economic, gender, ethnic, education, occupation, etc.) that are totally missing in Kosovo. It will give a sound basis to government, donors and civil society for policy formulation, implementation and monitoring of programme, which is crucial for development of a multiethnic and democratic state. The census will be implemented directly by the Kosovo Statistical Agency (KAS). In 2013 KAS implemented the Agricultural Census. Financial resources are channeled through a Multi Donor Trust Fund, managed by UNOPS, in order to ensure transparency, efficiency and best-value for money. Democratic Society Promotion (DSP) Phase II July 2014 June 2018 Swiss Commitment CHF 4,800,000 Project partners Civil society organizations, academic and research institutions, etc. Implementation partners Kosovo Civil Society Foundation (KCSF) The democratic development of any country must include - besides institution building support to an active citizenry to demand transparent, accountable and inclusive governance. The project aims at supporting projects, initiatives or activities arising from civil society with a potential to contribute to significant changes in society at national, regional and local level. DSP represents a source of funding for civic initiatives that advance democracy and social inclusion in Kosovo, through promotion of civic participation, ethnic cohesion, gender equality and diaspora participation. The project utilizes the following modalities: i) Institutional Grants, ii) Project Grants, iii) Ad-hoc/Urgent Grants; iv) Calls for Implementation and v) Awards. 2

3 Promotion of Citizenship Education Phase III September 2011 August 2014 Swiss Commitment CHF 1,100,000 (total project budget CHF 1,415,000) Implementation partners: Zurich University of Teacher Education (Pädagogische Hochschule Zürich, PHZH) in cooperation with Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST), the non-profit organization KEC (Kosovo Education Centre) and the television channel RTK (Radio Television Kosovo). The project contributes to the development of democratic citizenship. It aims to develop a culture of democratic citizenship among Kosovo children through the education system. The project has two main components: i) it will continue promoting the inclusion of youngsters in shaping a better future, which is crucial for the development of a multiethnic and democratic state. Kosovision assists teachers in using participatory and dialogue-based teaching methods in order to guide children to identify problems and develop visions and to thus prepare them for an active role in society. During this phase, the Kosovision contest will gradually be handed over to the MEST, by integrating it in the primary education system. ii. Research on citizenship education: The understanding of citizenship among Kosovo s children will be assessed by research, which will in turn be used for in-service teacher training. Support to Anti-Corruption Efforts in Kosovo (SAEK) Phase I September 2012 December 2015 Swiss Commitment CHF 2,601,138 Kosovo Anti-Corruption Agency, Kosovo Judicial Council, BIRN/IKS, etc; Implementer / Consultant UNDP SAEK contributes to reducing the level of corruption in Kosovo, by developing capacities of Kosovo institutions to perform in an efficient, transparent, and accountable and gender sensitive manner and strengthening monitoring and oversight mechanisms. The overall programme design encompasses four components identifying complementary entry points for fighting corruption: executive branch (component 1), civil society (component 2), judiciary (component 3), and public administration (component 4). 3

4 Economy and Employment Enhancing Youth Employment (EYE) Phase I August 2010 December 2016 Swiss Commitment CHF 8,045,000 Ministry of labour and Social Welfare, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Implementer / Consultant Consortium between Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation-HSI and Management Development Associates MDA In order to improve the market opportunities for young Kosovar women and men, the EYE program facilitates a matching of demand and supply sides of the labour market. It will contribute to availability of adequate training and education to meet the requirements of the private sector. The job seekers are enabled to access vacant positions and make informed decisions about their career paths. Furthermore, the EYE project promotes focused private sector investments in relevant subsectors that lead to growth of employment opportunities for young people. The approach taken by the project aims to bring about changes in matching demand and supply leading to large-scale and sustainable impact on the target group. The target group for the EYE project are young women and men, ranging at the age of 14-30, who finish educational training in Kosovo and are actively pursuing work. By addressing the main causes of the weak labour market outcomes, the project aims to facilitate the creation of employment opportunities for youngsters from all ethnic communities living in Kosovo. Contribution to the Kosovo SME Promotion Program (KOSME) Phase I: October 2012 September 2015 Swiss Commitment CHF 1,293,250, Austrian Development Agency, Ministry of Trade and Industry SME Support Agency, Economic Initiative in Kosovo (ECIKS) Implementer / Consultant Economic Initiative in Kosovo (ECIKS), KMU Forschung Austria One of the priority support areas of the Swiss cooperation program for Kosovo is youth employment. The SME sector in Kosovo is currently one of the biggest employers contributing 62 % to the total employment; its further potentials for generating jobs are hindered by the barriers such as; weak administration, unreliable electricity supply, deficient rule of law, low productivity, lack of know how and limited access to finance. This project addresses some of the main barriers stated above. With an overall aim of Contributing to job creation and promote market-oriented private sector development in Kosovo; foster global competitiveness of Kosovo s SMEs in line with sustainable development principles. Support to International Business College Mitrovica (IBCM) Phase I February 2014 December 2014 Swiss Commitment CHF 1,250,000, Stiftung SPARK Implementer / Consultant IBCM The project aims to improve employability through study programs with a heavy focus on practice and skills as well as facilitate graduates to start their own enterprises;also to create a sustainable, genuinely inclusive higher vocational institution, producing young professional civil servants and business leaders in the Mitrovica region ready to work in multi-ethnic teams; To provide modern curricula in doing business with the EU and training (future and existing) civil servants in EU Integration. 4

5 Promoting Private Sector Employment (PPSE) Phase I (inception phase) October 2013 November 2014 Swiss Commitment CHF 1,401,000 Ministry of Trade and Industry Implementer / Consultant Swisscontact, PEM, Riinvest Promoting Private Sector Employment (PPSE) programme aims at increasing employment opportunities throughout the private sector, benefitting most the youth, since it has the highest share of employment. The program aim is to create opportunities for: Sustainable, decent jobs and increased incomes for unand under-employed women and men, youth in particular. It will focus on enhancing the diversity of products and services, of higher quality, and access to new markets for enterprises in tourism, food processing and private health care. It will specifically address the governance issues related to private sector development and it will aim to improve the possibilities for women to create business and employment opportunities. Investment Climate Project (ICP) Phase I July 2013 June 2017 Swiss Commitment USD 2,200,000 SECO Ministry of Trade and Industry, Kosovo Prime Minister s Office Implementer / Consultant International Finance Cooperation IFC The IFC Investment Climate project aims at stimulating Kosovo s economic performance by way of reducing regulatory red tape, boosting the country s competitiveness at large, and facilitating private investment activities. The project has three main components; Component 1-Business enabling environment reform, will address regulatory bottlenecks and aims at reducing the cost of doing business in Kosovo Component 2 Investment Facilitation, will assists Kosovo in strengthening its capacity to create and manage the policy and institutional framework for attracting, retaining and developing a climate for foreign investment in which FDI can thrive. Component 3 Agribusiness support activities; will specifically target the business environment for the agribusiness sector. It will support the Government of Kosovo in addressing regulatory constraints while increasing the investment potential in the agribusiness sector. 5

6 SECO regional projects Project IMF Regional Tax Administration Project for South East Europe ( ) Strengthening the capacity of tax administrations in selected SEE countries (Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina) Strengthening Accountability and Fiduciary Environment (SAFE Trust Fund) ( ) Strengthen accountability and fiduciary environment in public finance management in the ECA region Corporate Governance in Europe and Central Asia ( ) Strengthens capacities and transfer knowledge in the field of corporate governance, to the selected local partner institutions in countries and ECA regions (Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia). SECO Start-up Fund ( ) Provides credit for Swiss start-up investments in Partner countries Projects in Kosovo: Agro Collection Center Wood briquettes & pellets Rosconi Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) Supports the import of products from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of developing and transition countries and helps them to become integrated into the international trade system. The carefully selected partner companies are helped in terms of bringing them together with Swiss or EU importers. Budget (CHF) CHF 7.5 million for Western Balkans countries USD 2 million for all countries CHF 3.7 million for selected ECA countries Total SSF loan amount, CHF Total investments mobilized CHF 1.9 Mio CHF 11 million Partners Ministries of Finance, tax administrations Implementation: IMF Ministries of Finance in partner countries Implementation: World Bank Chamber of Commerce, Stock Exchange, Universities Implementation: International Finance Corporation (IFC) Private Investors Implementation: FINANCE contact, Zurich Implementation: OSEC 6

7 Water and Sanitation Rural Water and Sanitation Support Programme V Phase V January 2014 December 2017 Swiss Commitment CHF 14,000,000 Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, Ministry of Economic Development, Regional Water Companies, 38 Kosovo Municipalities and respective villages Implementer / Consultant JV Dorsch/Community Development Initiatives, SKAT Ltd The programme contributes to increased access of Kosovo s population to proper water supply and sanitation and to a sustainable country-wide water and sanitation services management. The expected impact is the expansion of water supply coverage to the majority of the rural population (80% and beyond), improved sustainability of water and sanitation services and enhanced sector coordination. Rural Water and Sanitation Support Programme IV Phase IV January 2011 June 2014 Swiss Commitment CHF 4,800,000 Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Regional Water Companies, Municipalities in South-East Kosovo, Suhareka, respective villages Implementer / Consultant Community Development Initiatives, KIWER, Micro Project This project contributes in improving the health and well-being of communities through sustainable water and sanitation services in line with Kosovo national sector strategies and legislation. New water supply systems will be constructed in about ten villages of South-East Kosovo, Suhareka and Vushtrri municipalities. The project will further support the Regional Water Companies in improving their financial sustainability and in enhancing capacities for a sustainable operation and maintenance of rural water systems. At the national level, the capacities of policy making institutions will be strengthened in managing water resources and services. Small Infrastructure for Water and Sanitation Programme II Phase II February 2012 June 2014 Swiss Contribution CHF 1,199,466 (total project budget is CHF 3,113,239) United States Agency for Development (USAID), Municipalities, Regional Water Companies Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, Municipalities of Peja, Lipjan, Malisheva, Drenas, Regional Water Companies, respective villages Implementer / Consultant International Relief for Development (IRD) The overall goal of this program is to improve health conditions and socio-economic well being of the population of around 20 villages in 3 municipalities (Peja, Lipjan and Drenas/Gllogovc) through investments in essential infrastructure services. In line with Kosovo Water Law, SIWS promotes robust and sustainable operational management of new water systems through close collaboration with Regional Water Companies, municipalities and communities. 7

8 Kosovo Water Task Force II (Inter-Ministerial Water Council) Phase II December 2013 December 2017 Swiss Commitment CHF 1,00,000 SECO Office of Prime Minister, Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Local Governance Administration, Ministry of European Integration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Implementers / Consultant Baton Begolli - Water Policy Advisor; Afrim Lajqi Water Services Advisor The project aims the institutionalization of the Water Task Force into the Inter-Ministerial Water Council (IMWC) of Kosovo. This phase will ensure the overall coordination of water sector development in the country, whilst establishing and enforcing a contemporary, comprehensive and conducive and legal, policy, strategy and regulatory framework for the sector. Over the coming two to four years, the IMWC is expected to be in a position to fully assume its function and to assist addressing and solving the current core systemic problems of the water sector. Water Supply in South East Kosovo Project Phase I September 2010 June 2014 Swiss Commitment CHF 7,650,000 (total project budget is CHF 8,100,000) SECO Ministry of Economic Development (MED), RWC Bifurkacioni in Municipality of Ferizaj and RWC Hidromorava in Municipality of Gjlan Implementers / Consultant Holinger The project aims to improve the water supply service and water quality in the municipalities of Ferizaj and Gjilan, as well as to enhance the sustainability of the two supported Regional Water Companies (RWCs) Hidromorava and Bifurkacioni. The impact of the project will be improved health, living and economical conditions in the two municipalities and increased economic effectiveness and sustainability in the two RWCs. As for the outcome, it is expected that the proposed measures will result in greater revenues of the RWCs. This will be reached by less network losses, additional customers connected to the network, less operational costs in the water treatment plant due to better raw water quality, less operational costs due to additional storage capacity (investment components), as well as by additional revenues via greater billing and collection and higher customer satisfaction / awareness (capacity components). Gjakova Waste Water Treatment Plant Phase I January 2014 December 2019 Swiss Commitment EURO 8,000,000 SECO Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economic Development (MED), Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, RWC Radoniqi, Municipality of Gjakovaj Implementers / Consultant To be selected The overall objectives of the project are the protection of surface and underground water resources and the improvement of the living conditions of the population in Gjakova and in the downstream localities. The main outcome is to establish reliable and hygienic water sanitation systems at cost-recovery and socially acceptable price, a functioning and adequate institutional and regulatory framework and institutionally and commercially sustainable utilities. The project will also contribute to the overall economic development of the target region. To ensure the sustainability of the project and the attainment of the aforementioned objective, the RWC Radoniqi will receive assistance in the fields of corporate development, public relations, policy dialogue and regulatory aspects. 8

9 Health Improving Financial Protection and Quality of Care (Trust Fund with the World Bank) Phase I September 2013 October 2018 Swiss Commitment CHF 2,240,000 Ministry of Health Implementer / Consultant World Bank In cooperation with the World Bank (WB), the Trust Fund (TF) aims to support the design, implementation and monitoring of health sector reforms to make quality health care more accessible and affordable for all citizens of Kosovo. The project will provide technical support in the following priority reform areas: i. Procurement systems for drugs and medical supplies; ii. Improve the poverty targeting mechanism for health insurance subsidies and iii. Introduce performance-based hospital systems with the hospitals. While the poor will benefit from better targeting of public subsidies, the general population in Kosovo shall benefit from improvements in service delivery due to the implementation of reforms. Affordable Quality Health Care for Kosovo (AQH) Phase I Project development and inception: November 2013 July 2015 Swiss Commitment CHF 700,000 (design and inception phase) Ministry of Health; municipalities Implementer / Consultant to be selected in the course of 2014 through an open tender This project aims to contribute to the development of a sustainable health care system in Kosovo that offers qualitative services to its population, including socially vulnerable communities. The project shall contribute to the following objectives: i. enhance the access to quality health care services, particularly for socially vulnerable communities, and ii. Improve the performance of health facilities through targeted professional development and upgrading management skills of health professionals. The components, intervention strategies and approaches of AQH will be defined through an identification mission envisaged to take place in March Special Programme Migration Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Housing & Integration Project Phase I December 2009 December 2015 Swiss Commitment CHF 914,000 (contribution to the overall budget of 3.2 Mio ) FOM Municipality of Gjakova, Ministry of Community & Returns, Prime Minister s Office for Community Affairs, Caritas Switzerland, other donors Implementer / Consultant Project Implementation Office (supported by Caritas Switzerland) The project targets the sustainable improvement of living conditions of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian community, living in dire conditions in the Ali Ibra informal settlement in Gjakova. In addition to providing permanent housing by the construction of 120 housing units, the project will promote social inclusion through community building activities and support access to education and health services at municipal level. The project will further promote employment opportunities and sustainable income generation possibilities for the target community. 9

10 Diaspora for Development (DfD) Program Inception Phase March 2011 June 2013** Phase I Swiss Commitment CHF 660,000 (for inception phase) Project Partner Ministry of Diaspora, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kosovo Embassies, Diaspora organisations, pilot municipalities, etc. Implementer / Consultant Solidar Suisse and the local implementer Institute for Management and Development The project aims at facilitating the transfer of resources (financial, know-how, experience) from migrants into social and economic initiatives in Kosovo. The project will facilitate enhancing relations between diaspora and Kosovo authorities, development of favourable migration and investment policies and the provision of relevant information on services and resource transfer options. The three prominent themes of this project are: resource transfers, policy development and information provision. The intervention focus during the inception phase will be the municipal level and mainly the themes information provision and resource transfers. In its present form, entry into the main phase been halted. Rather, DfD is anticipated to be mainstreamed into other ongoing and new initiatives. Mainstreaming will be done in 1) Democratic Society Promotion II through a diaspora-related component (within DGD domain), 2) UNDP/IOM s Diaspora Engagement in Economic Development project (currently under review), 3) Credit Guarantee Facility (earmark a fund for diaspora investments) and 4) IFC s business enabling environment project (improve the investment environment for diaspora investors). ** The time frame of the DfD program will go until Support to Clinical Psychology in Kosovo Phase I January 2012 September 2015 Swiss Commitment CHF 600,000 FOM Project Partner Ministry of Health, Psychiatric University Clinic, Mental Health Centres, houses of integration, University of Pristina, Association of Kosovo Psychologists, Implementer / Consultant The University of Basel Faculty of Psychology and Kosova Health Foundation The project will contribute to enhancing the professionalism and quality of mental health services in Kosovo, further widening the scope and types of services offered. The project will support the Ministry of Health in establishing a comprehensive post-graduate training programme in clinical psychology, including training the supervisors approach for further replication. A bylaw protected title of Clinical Psychologists as a recognised health profession will be awarded at the end of the programme. Social inclusion and improvement of living conditions for RAE and other vulnerable groups in Kosovo Phase II February 2013 December 2015 Swiss Commitment CHF 1,000,000 FOM (50% of the total budget) Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz (HEKS), Terre des Hommes (TdH), Voice of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians Kosovo (VoRAE) Implementer / Consultant HEKS, TdH, VoRAE The project aims to improve the living conditions and the social inclusion of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities as well as other vulnerable groups in Kosovo. To achieve this goal, the project intends to apply a combination of various interventions in the following four fields: empowerment and advocacy, education, sanitation and house-upgrading. Children will be at the focus of this intervention by supporting their integration in mainstream education as well as supporting the establishment and functioning of child protection mechanisms in various municipalities. 10

11 Contribution to Public Information Campaign on Irregular Migration Phase II November 2013 April 2014 Swiss Commitment CHF 240,000 FOM Ministry of European Integration, Ministry of Internal Affairs Implementer / Consultant Management and Development Associates Contribution to the Public Information Campaign on Irregular Migration in Kosovo is a contribution project to an already-ongoing public information campaign that is overseen by the Ministry of European Integration. Since December 2012, the existing campaign seeks to raise awareness and shape public opinion on three themes: 1) irregular migration, 2) readmission and reintegration and 3) visa liberalization. This project will contribute to the strengthening the ongoing campaign and running tailored activities on irregular migration. Other projects Swiss Regional Police Cooperation Programme (SPCP) has been supporting justice and police reforms in Eastern Europe since The corresponding regional programme Police Reforms in South Eastern Europe was initially launched by the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) and handed over to in the year Since 1999/2000, efforts have focused mainly on countries of South Eastern Europe, the region not only being the place of origin, but also the region of transit for various manifestations of trans-border organised crime. From 2008 to 2011, Switzerland provided technical assistance to the South East Europe Police Chiefs Association (SEPCA) for the implementation of regional projects. Since 2009, the supports also the implementation of the Police Cooperation Convention for South East Europe (PCC). The current programme phase ( ) aims at strengthening regional police cooperation to fight serious and organised crime in the Western Balkans by enhancing the framework conditions for strategic and operational police cooperation, increasing mutual trust and fostering harmonisation of law enforcement approaches. The SPCP is a project fund that can co-fund regional initiatives involving at least two countries. Based on partners project proposals support will be granted based on pre-defined selection criteria and on recommendation of the programme advisory group that is composed of the Swiss political directorate, Swiss Federal Office of Police (FEDPOL) and the Federal Customs Administration (FCA). The programme is coordinated and monitored by the Geneva Centre for Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF). Updated information on For more information on the projects, please visit our website 11