07/12/2024

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.
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GentAnnouncements, Events, News
26/08/2024

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.

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GentCurrent Projects, Uncategorized
26/08/2024

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.

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GentCurrent Projects, Uncategorized
26/08/2024

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

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GentCompleted Projects
26/08/2024

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.

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GentCompleted Projects
26/08/2024

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.

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GentCompleted Projects
26/08/2024

Earthquake Victims Support

  • Project Region: The Republic of Kosovo
  • Duration: 2021
  • Donor: German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO)
  • Budget (Euro): 5,000 €

Project Details: Rehabilitated Families Affected by the Albania Earthquake Provided crucial aid to the Abazi family from Livoc, Gjilan, who tragically lost two loved ones.
Coordinated Visits: Assessed the family’s social and economic conditions through targeted visits.
Equipment Distribution: Delivered essential equipment to support their business activities.
Ongoing Support: Continued monitoring the family’s progress even after the project ended.
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GentCompleted Projects
26/08/2024

Respond to preventing the spread of coronavirus COVID19

  • Project Region: The Republic of Kosovo
  • Duration: 2020
  • Donor: Danish Refugee Council
  • Budget (Euro): 8,538.75 €

Project Details: Objectives:

Immediate Relief: Deliver essential food and hygiene supplies to crisis-affected vulnerable populations.
Health & Hygiene Boost: Enhance beneficiaries’ health and hygiene through crucial hygienic product distribution.
Support for the Vulnerable: Aid families and individuals facing displacement, economic struggles, or disaster impacts.
Results:

345 Families Supported: Delivered food packages filled with staple items to meet nutritional needs.
Hygiene Essentials Provided: Distributed soap, sanitizers, and cleaning products to maintain personal and household hygiene.

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GentCompleted Projects
26/08/2024

Support socio-economic stability in Kosovo

  • Project Region: The Republic of Kosovo
  • Duration: 2021 – 2022
  • Donor: MFK/GFA, Partner Municipalities
  • Budget (Euro): 672,005 €

Project Details: Objective: Reduce energy demand and costs in the residential sector while boosting the competitiveness of Kosovo’s energy service market.

Focus: Empower women entrepreneurs by helping them grow their businesses through efficient energy use. Special attention is given to women-owned businesses that need support in registering, are vulnerable, or are just starting out.

Impact:

Empowered 209 women entrepreneurs across partner municipalities.
Trained and certified 217 individuals in business skills and workplace environmental health and safety.
Provided vocational training for 32 people in fashion and tailoring, enhancing their professional skills.
Created 320 jobs for grant beneficiaries.
Collaborated with 8 partner municipalities, strengthening their capacity to implement employment policies and measures.

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GentCompleted Projects