Newsletter, January 2014

IOM Mission in Kosovo

In this issue:

- Closing event of EU Beautiful Kosovo I - EU-CSP II, EU-RRK III and The Ministry for Communities and Returns jointly assist a family in Prizren - Expert Medical Assistance from Sweden visits Kosovo -TheinfrastructureprojectandhousesinNovoBrdofinalized - The British Embassy to Finance EU RRK III - AVRR securing the sustainable reintegration to Kosovo

Closing event of EU Beautiful Kosovo I An EU funded Programme managed by

the European Union Office in Kosovo and implemented by IOM Kosovo

The first phase of the EU Beautiful Kosovo Programme (EU-BK) was successfully final-ized on December 10th 2013, when invi-tees, including Government Officials, high representatives of the EU Office in Kosovo, Mayors and Municipalities’ representatives as well as different stakeholders and media, gathered for the programme’s closing event organized at the Kosovo National Library.

The significant achievements made through the implementation of the EU-BK pro-gramme during the past 34 months were presented to the public through the broad-cast of a video-documentary featuring the programme’s results as well as the success stories of beneficiaries involved in the project. In addition, a programme catalogue, which illustrates through impressive data and suggestive photos of the 46 infrastruc-ture projects implemented within the first phase of the programme was distributed to the participants.

The two folded objective of the EU-BK Programme was to improve living condi-tions for the inhabitants of Kosovo through the implementation of selected small and medium infrastructure projects, such as improvement of kindergartens and schools, creation of green areas and parks, restora-tion of cultural and historical buildings as well as creation of new sport and youth facilities throughout Kosovo, while at the same time generate new employment opportunities in particular for long term unemployed beneficiaries.

Photo 1: High officials were present at the closing event

Photo 2: EU-BK constructed green areas throughout Kosovo

Thedocumentaryfilmisavailableon IOM Kosovo YouTube Chan-nel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO7Xj-2JG8Y

The catalogue is available online:http://www.iomkosovo.org/files/EU-BK%202011-2013%20Catalougue_e-versionOPT.pdf

The two folded objective of the EU-BK Programme was to improve living conditions for the inhabitants of Kosovo through the implementation of selected small and medium infra-structure projects, such as improve-ment of kindergartens and schools, creation of green areas and parks, restoration of cultural and historical buildings as well as creation of new sport and youth facilities throughout Kosovo, while at the same time to generate new employment opportuni-ties in particular for long term unem-ployed beneficiaries.

During the implementation of the first phase of the EU-BK Programme, 46 infrastructure projects were imple-mented in 24 Kosovo municipalities. As a result, 1,905 job opportunities were generated. Out of these, 1,391 were registered as long term unem-ployed at the Employment Centre within the Ministry for Labour and Social Welfare, including 78 women, 336 representatives of minorities, 611 youth and 76 persons with disabilities were employed.

During the event Mr. Jorge Baca, Chief of Mission at IOM Kosovo, reminded that unemployment is one of the main push factors to make people leave their homes and move to other regions and countries in order to be able to support their families and dearest.

Therefore actions aiming at generat-ing new employment opportunities are vital in order to prevent irregu-lar migration. “The IOM Mission in Kosovo is highly committed to con-tinue working with the Government of Kosovo and the European Union in reducing irregular migration and decreasing its push factors through creating better opportunities for Kosovo citizens at home”, concluded Mr. Baca.

The EU-Beautiful Kosovo was imple-mented in close coordination with the Ministry for Labour and Social Welfare and the Employment Cen-tres in the participating municipali-ties, which were involved in iden-tifying the long-term unemployed beneficiaries to be enrolled in the infrastructure projects.

The Minister for Labour and Social Welfare, Mr. Nenad Rasic, was very impressed about the programme and its results: “It is always amazing to see, how even the very small projects can have a very big impact on peo-ple’s lives.” he stated. “This projects has all components, whether social or economic, psychological or moral and all of them were integrated as a whole. Therefore, I think Beautiful Kosovo has the big perspective to become the most crucial and most important project for our society”, the Minister announced.

At the closing event, Mr. Samuel Zbogar, the Head of European Union Office in Kosovo/EU Special Repre-sentative for Kosovo, stated: “I dare to say that projects like Beautiful Kosovo can be an example how well prepared the project can be – and how efficient the implementation is! That is why we will continue with Beautiful Kosovo II – learning from the experiences, trying to improve the process.”

Since the programme proved to have an impact on Kosovo communi-ties and their citizens, the EU Of-fice decided to continue funding the programme by allocating additional 5 million Euro for the implementation of the second phase, which success-fully started on December 19, 2013 and it will continue for additional 30 months.

The first phase of the EU-BK Pro-gramme was funded by the EU and it was implemented during the period February 2011- December 2013 by the International Organization for Migration, Mission in Kosovo.

Photo 3: Through the infrastructure projects, public services were improved

“I dare to say that projects like Beautiful Kosovo can be an example how well prepared the project can be”

- Mr. Samuel Zbogar, the Head of EU Office/EU Special Representative

Photo 4: The beneficiary received assistance for housing reconstruc-tion from EU-RRK III, which is implemented by IOM Kosovo

An EU funded Programme, managed by the Eu-ropean Union office in Kosovo and implemented by IOM Kosovo

EU-CSP II, EU-RRK III and The Ministry for Communities and Returns jointly assist a family in Prizren

The purpose of several IOM Kosovo programmes is to pro-vide safe and sustainable living conditions for all the return-ees and inhabitants of Kosovo and to increase the beneficia-ries’ capacity to live on their own, support their families and be active members of their communities.

The best results are achieved through holistic approach and when synergies between the programmes are maximized. This has been the case with a beneficiary in Zhupa Valley in Prizren municipality. Upon returning to Kosovo from Serbia, through the assistance of the EU Return and Reintegration III, he was supported with housing reconstruction.

Once back in Kosovo, in order to be able to support him-self and his family, the beneficiary came up with the busi-ness idea for starting a beehive and furniture production and applied for assistance from EU Community Stabiliza-tion Programme II. Through the programme, he received needed equipment for his start up business. The goal of this young and enthusiastic entrepreneur is to produce bee hives, wooden furniture and provide carpentry services. The need for bee hives is high in the region, since beekeeping is traditionally a very popular means for income generation in Zhupa Valley. However, due to relatively high number of bears in the area, the bee hives are constantly being de-stroyed and need to be renewed. Thus the need for such a business is very high.

Photo 5: The beneficiary and Mr Jorge Baca, the Chief of Mission for IOM Kosovo, checking the equipment re-ceived from EU-CSP II

Photo 6: Children with kidney problems are being treated dur-ing the Swedish Medical Team’s visit

Expert Medical Assis-tance from Sweden visits Kosovo

Swedish Medical Programme as-sisting children in Kosovo since 1999

Photo 7: Dr. Mattson checking the young patient

Swedish Medical Programme is an on-going collaboration between IOM and County Council of Ostergotland in Sweden it has been implemented since 1999. The aim of the programme is to facilitate local capacity building in di-agnosing, treating and caring medical and surgical patients and to evacuate the patients from Kosovo to Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Sweden to receive operations that are not possible in Kosovo.

Twice per year the delegation of doctors and nurses come to Kosovo to train the local hospital staff and to assist in checking and diagnosing of the patients. This year the purpose of the visit is to concentrate on children with kidney problems, which are very common in Kosovo.

At the beginning of the cooperation, the surgeon trav-elled to Kosovo to operate children identified by local hospital staff. Dr. Sven Mattsson from University Clinical Hospital in Linkoping said that it was extremely impor-tant to expand the cooperation for medical checks as well since not all the patients necessarily need to be operated. “It might happen that the surgery will actually damage the patients more. “ he says “The hospital staff in Kosovo is doing their best but the resources are still limited. Most of the examinations are very expensive”,

Swedish Medical Programme:

- On-going since 1999- 1 800 patients assisted in Kosovo- 560 surgically operated patients in Kosovo- 92 patients successfully evacuated to Sweden- 28 patients successfully evacuated to Bosnia and Herzegovina- 93 Kosovar health professionals have attended training sessions which are aiming to share the information and increase the capacity of health care in Kosovo, especially with children

TheBritishEmbassytofinanceEU-RRKIII

EU-Returns and Reintegration in Kosovo EU-RRK phase III has received additional 167 000 Euro funding from the British Embassy in Kosovo.

The EU-RRK III has been running since November 2011 in order to secure safe and sustainable return for those who were forced to leave their homes during and after the Kosovo conflict.

This funding from the British Embassy will allow the project to increase the total number of beneficiaries and infrastructure projects implemented.Since 2011, IOM Kosovo and its implementing partners, DT, APPK and CPT in partnership with the Ministry for Communities and Returns, have assisted 183 families to move back home by providing them housing, food and non-food items as well as voca-tional training and IG grants.

Photo 9: Mr. Ian Cameron Cliff, the British Ambassador to Kosovo, and Mr. Jorge Baca, the Chief of Mission for IOM Kosovo

The infrastructure project and houses in Novobërdë/NovoBrdofinalizedThe aim of the EU-Returns and Reintegration in Kosovo EU-RRK phase III project is to support Kosovo govern-ment’s efforts in promoting a tolerant multi-ethnic environ-ment, conducive to the sustainable return and reintegration of minority IIDP, IDP, and refugee families, by consolidating the capacities of local and central government authorities as well as civil society organizations.On January 29th EU RRK III inaugurated one of its major infrastructure projects, as the water supply system in Novo Brdo municipality was finalized. As Mr. Christof Stock, the Head of Operations at the EU office in Kosovo, pointed out, this project is part of the wider EU’s commitment to Kosovo minority communities. “Novobërdë/Novo Brdo has also been a good example of inter-ethnic relationships both at the citizens as well as political level. This approach has inevitably created a climate for inter-ethnic tolerance, sustainable multi-ethnicity and promotion of human and minority rights.”At the same event, eight new houses were donated to their new owners. These are part of the total 32 houses that have been built in Novobërdë/Novo Brdo municipality within the past two years. In addition the housing project generated short term employment opportunities for returnees and receiving community members who worked in the con-struction site.

An EU funded Programme, managed by the European Union Office in Kosovo and implemented by IOM Kosovo

Photo 8: Novobërdë/Novo Brdo community develpo-ment project was inaugurated in January

Photo 10: This raspberry field will be enlargened, thanks to joint efforts of IOM and USAID

AVRR securing sustainable integra-tion to Kosovo

IOMKosovosearchingforwaystosupportbeneficiariesbeyond the return assistanceOne of the longest still on-going projects within IOM Mis-sion in Kosovo is Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegra-tion (AVRR). The programme aims to promote sustainable voluntary return and reintegration of Kosovars, returning from different Western European countries through mea-sures to improve economic prospects for both the return-ees and members of the receiving communities, thereby enhancing the capacity of return communities to continue to attract, absorb and retain returning migrants and other displaced people and to prevent further out-migration.

AVRR projects consists of two components; operational return where beneficiaries are provided assistance in ar-ranging their voluntary return and an enhanced reintegra-tion, which focuses on providing returnees with assistance in finding and supporting the reintegration opportunities in Kosovo by setting up small businesses, on-the-job trainings, supporting employment opportunities through referrals, organizing vocational training courses and business train-ings, providing educational support, social care, housing and medical support.

In total AVRR assisted 1,411 persons to return to Kosovo during the year 2013. Most of the returnees come from Western Europe. Through RAAVRK Project 280 persons were returned to Kosovo from Hungary last year. The re-turnees were offered a possibility to apply for business start up assistance. Out of these 280, 40 best business proposals were granted financial assistance. One of them is a young Albanian male who returned to Podujeva in spring 2013. He decided to invest the received grant for small agriculture business. Through RAAVRK program, the beneficiary was able to plant some 0.20ha with raspberries, and he has also started to prepare additional lands for planting.

Such beneficiaries usually need professional counselling to be able to increase the capacity of their businesses. The idea of matching AVRR beneficiaries with potential orga-nizations that provides professional help came at the IOM Kosovo office where the AVRR team wants to ensure the sustainability of these funds received and invested. There-fore the team is working in close coordination with USAID agency New Opportunities for Agriculture (NOA) in order to identify the prospective farmers to receive specialized assistance to be able to expand their production.

This young farmer was interested in assistance to grow his plantation. He has participated in training sessions on agribusiness and in January 2014, thanks to IOM staff who brought them together, NOA decided to fund his expan-sion.

Photo 11: IOM staff, NOA consultant and the beneficiary checking the existing raspberry plantations.