Project was financed from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of German Government, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, partner Municipalities whereas is implemented by Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe e>v. Kosovo and Foundation Kosovo-Luxembourg.

Project “Support to socio-economic stability through empowerment of micro business sector in Kosovo” was implemented during May 2015 till December 2016 in following municipalities: Prishtina, Mitrovica, Ferizaj, Graçanica, North Mitrovica, Leposaviq, Vushtrri, Gjakova and Gjilan.

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the sustainable development and the stability in targeted areas with the main focus on the economic empowerment. Whereas the specific objective is job creation through direct economic and educational support to micro business sector in Kosovo

Project components

Grants for micro businesses

Business and vocational trainings

Support to development of cooperatives

Assistance within the project “Reintegration and Rehabilitation of the Prisoners”

Project: “Support to socio-economic stability through empowerment of micro business sector in Kosovo – Migration Prevention and Stabilisation”

Duration: February 2016 – December 2017

Donor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the German Government

Location: Republic of Kosovo

Municipalities of Prishtine, Gracanice, Gjakove, Vushtrri, Gjilan, Mitrovica, North Mitrovica and Leposavic during 2016 and Vushtrri, Peje, Prizren and Novobrdo during 2017.

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the sustainable development and the stability in targeted areas with the main focus on the economic empowerment

The specific objective – job creation through direct economic and educational support to micro business sector in Kosovo

The proposed action represents the continuation of the programme commenced in 2015 as the second phase. The project components will lead to the direct job creation thus contribute to the socio-economic stability in targeted areas are:

Grants for micro businesses

Business and vocational trainings

Assistance within the project “Reintegration and Rehabilitation of the Prisoners”

Project “Support to socio-economic stability through empowerment of micro business sector in Kosovo”

Duration: May 2015 – December 2016

Donor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the German Government

Location: Republic of Kosovo

Project: “Support to Sustainable Economic Development at the Municipal Level”

Duration: September – December 2018

Help Kosovo signed a cooperation agreement with Ministry of Local Government Administration within the project “Support to Sustainable Economic Development at the Municipal Level”. This project will provide professional training for at least 40 citizens in the Municipality of Kamenica.

Trainings will be designed on the basis of citizens’ requests, but will focus on creating a skilled workforce that creates opportunities for self-employment.

Target groups are young and marginalized groups. The type of training can be: electrician, central heating, welding, tailoring, hairdressing, bakery craft, etc.

Project: “Support to socio-economic stability in the western Balkans region 2017-2018”

Duration: May 2017 – December 2018

Donor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the German Government

Location: Republic of Kosovo-Municipalities of Suhareka, Lipjan, Decan, Strpce, Istog, Gjakova, Gracanica, Mitrovica and North Mitrovica.

The overall objective of the program is to increase the capacity of economically and socially vulnerable groups to participate more fully in society.

Specific objective of the program: Decreased levels of poverty among economically vulnerable groups

The project components that will lead to the direct job creation of at least 240 registered employees, thus contribute to the socio-economic stability in targeted areas, are:

Grants for micro businesses

Business and vocational trainings

Support community entrepreneurial initiatives throughout the country

Supporting four correctional institutions in the rehabilitation and re-socialization of persons who have been in conflict with the law

Project: “Self-Employment Training Program”

Duration: July 30, 2018 – October 31, 2019

Expanding job opportunities for youth in Kosovo is the focus of our latest Self-Employment Training Program. USAID Empower Private Sector project signed a grant agreement with organization Help Kosovo to implement the training program which aims to foster employ-ability and entrepreneurship of vulnerable and marginalized youth in Gjilan, Viti, Kacanik, and Hani i Elezit. In the next 15 months, the program will deliver business skills training to around 200 youth, and upon completion, the top 32 business proposals presented by the trained youth will receive small grants to start their own businesses. In partnership with Sida – Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete.

The objective of this Activity is to foster youth employability and entrepreneurship for vulnerable and marginalized youth through the Self-Employment (SE) Training Program in the municipalities of Kacanik, Hani i Elezit, Viti, and Gjilan.

The SE program will consist of two components: a relevant “business training” course, followed by the provision of self-employment grants to a selected number of high-potential youth participants. Key partners in collaborating in implementation will include local municipalities, the MLSW and other relevant local organizations. Business trainings will be provided in each municipality for two groups of 25 participants. This adds to a total of 200 people. At least 32 selected participants will receive a self-employment grant of up to EUR 3,650, amounting to a total of 32 youth grantees.

Help, in coordination with relevant municipality representatives, will reach, recruit, train, and provide self-employment grants. In total, 200 young people will attend a five (5) day business training course and in each municipality, there will be two (2) groups of 25 participants. The training will cover:

Generating and refining your business idea, start-up basics, how to register a new business

Introduction to business plans, business plan building basics

Market research and strategic planning

Marketing for small business, small business promotion, and social media platforms

Small business accounting and taxes.