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:
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.
🌟 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.
12/09/2024
Annual Report 2023
We are happy to present our 2023 Annual Report of Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe! To access the complete report, click the link: www.help-ev.de/transparenz/jahresberichte/2023/
26/08/2024
RECONOMY
- Project Region: Regional (Western Balkans)
- Duration: 2023 – 2026
- Donor: SIDA
- Budget (Euro): 1,980,258.55 €
“Digitalization of sectors with growth potential for better economic opportunities”
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.
Overall Objective:
Enhance economic opportunities and growth in the Western Balkans through digitalization, benefiting women, youth, and marginalized groups.
Expected results
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.
RECONOMY is a regional economic development programme funded by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and implemented by Helvetas, in partnership with Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe. The programme aims to create sustainable, large-scale, and socially inclusive economic opportunities for women and youth—particularly those most disadvantaged—across the Western Balkans.
RECONOMY applies a Market Systems Development (MSD) approach to address structural barriers in key growth sectors. By working with market actors rather than replacing them, the programme stimulates systemic change, strengthens private-sector collaboration, promotes green and decent jobs, and aligns skills development with the demands of future labour markets.
Under this programme, Help co-implements it across Western Balkans, focusing on digital transformation, workforce skills, entrepreneurship, and regional cooperation in sectors with strong employment and income-generation potential.
Key areas of intervention include:
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Strengthening the BPO and ICT sector by supporting the ABSL Western Balkans network, fostering cross-border collaboration, and expanding access to decent digital jobs for youth.
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Building digital skills and employment pathways through market-driven initiatives such as digital accounting (KUDO), Digital marketing, 5G technician training (NGN), and talent acquisition platforms (IMAA).
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Fostering entrepreneurship and self-employment, with a strong focus on youth and women, by supporting startup ecosystems, innovation hubs, and regional alliances such as WBSA.
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Advancing sustainable rural development through interventions like Trans Dinarica, linking digital solutions with green tourism, climate-resilient livelihoods, and increased income opportunities for local communities.
Across all interventions, Help acts as a market facilitator—identifying and convening partners, co-designing scalable solutions, strengthening local market actors, and monitoring systemic change to ensure lasting impact at regional scale.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.