• Project Region: Kosovo – Municipality of Gjilan, Municipality of Lipjan and Municipality of Mitrovica South
• Duration: September 2026 – April 2027
• Donor: German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF)
• Partner Municipalities: Gjilan and Lipjan
• Budget (Euro): 396,306.00 €

Jobs and Skills for Migration Prevention in Kosovo is an economic development initiative funded by the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and implemented by Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe e.V., Kosovo, in cooperation with partner municipalities.

The project addresses economic factors contributing to migration by strengthening local employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. It supports individuals, start-ups and existing micro and small businesses with equipment, skills development, mentoring and business advisory services to establish or expand sustainable economic activities.

Project Details – Overall Objective:

Contribute to sustainable livelihoods and socio-economic stability in Kosovo by increasing employment, self-employment and income-generation opportunities, particularly for women, youth, unemployed and hard-to-employ persons, vulnerable communities and other groups facing barriers to the labour market.

Key Results and Expected Outcomes

• • 100 beneficiaries supported to establish, formalise or expand sustainable economic activities.
  • 100 in-kind business equipment grants, with an average value of approximately €2,500, provided to selected beneficiaries.
  • 100 beneficiaries supported through entrepreneurship and/or vocational skills development.
  • New businesses established and informal businesses supported towards formalisation.
  • Existing micro and small businesses strengthened to expand their activities and create additional employment.
  • Improved employment, self-employment and income-generation opportunities for supported beneficiaries.
  • Stronger cooperation between Help and partner municipalities in promoting local economic development.

Skills and Capacity Development

• • Entrepreneurship, business management and vocational skills strengthened according to beneficiaries’ individual needs.
  • Practical mentoring and business advisory services provided to support business establishment, development and sustainability.
  • Beneficiaries supported with business registration and formalisation where relevant.
  • Skills and capacities strengthened to improve productivity, market orientation and long-term business viability.

Inclusion and Local Impact

• • Particular focus on women and youth, unemployed and hard-to-employ persons, vulnerable minority communities and persons with disabilities.
  • Support provided to start-ups, informal micro-enterprises seeking formalisation and existing businesses with potential for growth and job creation.
  • Local employment and entrepreneurship opportunities strengthened within participating municipalities.
  • Contribution to more sustainable livelihoods and reduced economic pressures contributing to migration.

Implementation Approach

• • In-kind equipment grants combined with training, mentoring and advisory support to strengthen the sustainability of supported businesses.
  • Beneficiaries contribute 15% of the approved grant value, strengthening ownership and commitment to the supported investment.
  • Existing businesses receiving support for expansion are expected to create at least one additional formal employment opportunity.
  • Implementation is carried out in close cooperation with partner municipalities, combining Help’s business development experience with local institutional knowledge and outreach.
  • The approach focuses on sustainable economic opportunities, business formalisation, employment creation and strengthening beneficiaries’ ability to generate stable income over the longer term.