Celebrating 10 Years of Help in Kosovo

Today, we mark a significant milestone—10 years of dedication to empowering individuals and strengthening communities across Kosovo and beyond.

Over the past decade, our efforts have focused on sustainable development, social inclusion, and emergency response. We are proud of the partnerships we’ve built and the lives we’ve touched.

Our Achievements Over 10 Years

  • 33 municipalities partnered with across Kosovo

  • 2,088 grants awarded, contributing to the creation of over 2,900 jobs

  • 18 workshops established for vocational and skills training

  • 116 inmates and 46 Kosovo Correctional Services staff certified through resocialization programs

  • Over 900 support operations conducted in response to the 2019 Albania earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic in Kosovo

  • Support provided to 7 kindergartens and 9 safe houses

  • Collaboration with 16 NGOs and small enterprises

  • Implementation of 21 projects reaching all communities in Kosovo

Looking Ahead

Each number represents a meaningful outcome. Every project is a testament to our shared vision of inclusive development and community resilience.

As we celebrate this 10-year journey, we remain committed to creating opportunities and delivering impact—together.

Thank you for your continued support.

Read More

MoU signed between NGN, ABSL Kosovo and University of Prishtina

As part of the RECONOMY initiative, our esteemed partners, Next Gen Networks Institute and ABSL Kosovo, have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Pristina, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.
This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone in bridging the gap between academia and the private sector, fostering innovation, skill development, and career opportunities for students and professionals in engineering and technology. By strengthening these ties, we are paving the way for a more dynamic and future-ready workforce in the region.
RECONOMY is an inclusive and green economic development program of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), implemented by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation in partnership with Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe and others in the Eastern Partnership and the Western Balkan countries.
Read More

Do you offer services along the Trans Dinarica cycling route? Welcome aboard!

Join the Trans Dinarica Webinar

Welcome to the Trans Dinarica 🚲 initiative! Are you a provider of services such as hotels, campsites, restaurants, or bike shops along the cycling route? This webinar is for you!

Trans Dinarica Route

Webinar Details

  • Date: January 28, 2025
  • Time: 2:00 PM
  • Location: Online (Zoom)

What You’ll Learn

  • Overview of the Trans Dinarica Cycle Route
  • How to attract and cater to cyclists
  • Registering your services as Points of Interest (POIs)
  • Interactive Q&A session

Be part of a growing movement that has already attracted attention from 150+ global media outlets and inspired over 4,000 cyclists to explore the Western Balkans. This is your opportunity to grow your business and be featured in the Trans Dinarica Navigation Package 2.0.

Why Join?

The Trans Dinarica often runs through areas new to tourism, creating endless opportunities for innovation and service improvement. Join us to connect with the growing cycling community and explore ways to enhance your business.

More pictures and information: Click on the link here that send you to the website

 

Read More

Global Digital City Kosovo 2024

Join ABSL Albania and ABSL Kosovo for an exciting two-day event connecting businesses, start-ups, officials, universities, and tech enthusiasts!
Event details:
Date: December 13-14, 2024
Location: Innovation & Training Park, Prizren
Registration: 09:30 – 10:00
Highlights:
• Inspiring keynotes on the digital economy
• Expert-led training sessions
• Innovative start-up pitches
• Networking with leaders and investors
• Shaping policies for the digital era
This event is supported by RECONOMY, an inclusive and green economic development program, funded by Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency), implemented by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation, in partnership with Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe and other key organizations in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership countries.
Register now: globaldigitalcity.com
Don’t miss your chance to drive Kosovo’s digital transformation!
💛 On 13-14 December took place the Global Digital City event, supported by RECONOMY. The event brought together 140 participants and 18 inspiring speakers, including Kosovo’s Deputy Minister of Economy and the Mayor of Prizren Municipality.
🌟 Highlights of the two-day event comprise
✅ establishment of ABSL Kosovo,
✅ presentation of the Sectorial Report,
✅ motivational talks from business leaders,
✅ start-up pitches with a €1,000 prize for the best innovative idea,
✅ 3 expert-led trainings on AI, Digital Marketing, and ChatGPT, for students across the region.
💪This event showcased the power of collaboration in building a strong digital future for the Western Balkans.
RECONOMY is an inclusive and green economic development program, funded by Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency), implemented by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation, in partnership with Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe and other key organizations in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership countries.
Read More

Reconomy Project “Digitalization of sectors with growth potential for better economic opportunities”

  • Project Region: Regional (Western Balkans)
  • Duration: 2023 – 2026
  • Donor: SIDA
  • Budget (Euro): 1,980,258.55

RECONOMY is an inclusive and green economic development program of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency Sida, implemented by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation in partnership with Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe and others in the Eastern Partnership and the Western Balkan countries.

Project Details: Overall Objective: Enhance economic opportunities and growth in the Western Balkans through digitalization, benefiting women, youth, and marginalized groups.

11,000 women and youth empowered with additional income and green jobs.
€13 million in private sector investments driven by program initiatives.
20% of enterprises reported higher turnover and profit.
40% of businesses experienced better economic opportunities and improved business environments.
92% of companies satisfied with the skills of newly employed workers.

Personal and professional skills enhanced through business training.
Professional competitiveness and productivity increased with vocational training.

Internships provided for personal development and livelihood enhancement.
Participants and employers benefited from upgraded skills and capacities through internships.

Local governments strengthened in implementing employment policies and measures.

Partnerships established with key market actors, including ABSL, Growzillas Academy, Western Balkan Startup Alliance, and others.

Read More

Inclusion and Economic Empowerment in the Western Balkans

  • Project Region: Regional (Western Balkans)
  • Duration: 2023 – 2024
  • Donor: German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) and Partner Municipalities
  • Budget (Euro): 4,497,324.5

Project Details: Overall Objectives:
Enhance living conditions for marginalized groups by creating jobs and promoting inclusion.

Key Components:

Green Growth Grants: Business and vocational training, resocialization programs, start-up support for former convicts, and community initiatives.
Results in Kosovo:

Green Growth Grants: Partnered with seven municipalities; 165 clients selected, 150 received equipment.
Training: 150 clients received business training, 35 completed agricultural training, and one specialized in electrical training. Standardized solar installation technician profession. Trained 150 youth and disadvantaged groups.
Resocialization Programs: IT/Network Administration and Coding training for 15 correctional staff, sewing training for 10 women inmates, and potato processing workshop equipment provided.
Start-Up Support: Equipped 10 former inmates to launch businesses.
Community Initiatives: Improved infrastructure at “Mitrush Kuteli” school and AZURE Learning Center. Installed outdoor staircase holders for persons with disabilities in Prishtina.

Read More

Empowering disadvantaged communities in Kosovo (flooding victims)

  • Project Region: The Republic of Kosovo
  • Duration: 2023
  • Donor: Z Zurich Foundation
  • Budget (Euro): 10,611

Project Details: Overall Objectives

Provide Practical Aid for Flood-Affected Families: Deliver immediate, practical solutions to families in Kosovo impacted by recent floods.
Support Vulnerable Communities: Focus assistance on the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities in Mitrovica South, who were hit hardest by the floods.
Specific Objectives

Drive Fundraising Success: Launch a powerful online fundraising campaign with the ZZurich Foundation to rally support and resources.
Home Appliance Distribution:

Refrigerators: 16 units
Electric Stoves: 11 units
Washing Machines: 20 units
Woodstoves: 8 units

Read More

EU Award for Roma Integration in the Western Balkans and Turkey

  • Project Region: The Republic of Kosovo
  • Duration: 2021 – 2022
  • Donor: Roma Active Albania Award and EU
  • Budget (Euro): 7,203.77

Project Details: Empower Women: Three Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian women launched an agricultural social enterprise, boosting their socio-economic status.

Promote Social Enterprise: Introduced the concept in agriculture, adding value to locally produced goods.

Enhance Skills: Equipped women with essential skills in agricultural production and business management.

Results:

Greenhouse Success: A new greenhouse was established, yielding crops like peppers and spinach, sold locally.
Comprehensive Training: Women received hands-on training in agriculture, food processing, business management, and PR.
Visibility Boost: An inauguration event with EU and local representatives enhanced networking and spotlighted the project.

Read More

CIRCLE -Community Inclusion Reached through Competition Leading to Empowerment

  • Project Region: The Republic of Kosovo
  • Duration: 2022 – 2023
  • Donor: German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO)
  • Budget (Euro): 10,000

Project Details: Overall Objective: Empower disadvantaged communities in Kosovo by providing training, resources, and opportunities for economic self-sufficiency and personal growth.

Specific Objectives and Outcomes:

Support Self-Employment: Identify and back promising self-employment projects through a competitive process.
31 women and youth from Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities received training; 4 were awarded grants.
Business Development Training: Equip 31 women and youth with business and social media marketing skills.
All 31 trained, certified, and 15 shortlisted for grant competition.
12 individuals competed; 4 received grants.

Read More