30/09/2026

Jobs and Skills for Migration Prevention in Kosovo

  • 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.

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Gent SaraciCurrent Projects, Current Projects, Projects
23/01/2026

Economic promotion to stabilise the labour market

  • Project Region: Kosovo (national focus, rural areas)
  • Duration: September 2025 – August 2026
  • Donor: GIZ (on behalf f the German Government and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development of Kosovo)
  • Budget (Euro): 693,600.00 €

Economic Promotion to Stabilize the Labour Market in Kosovo is an economic development initiative supported by the German Government through GIZ Kosovo and the Government of Kosovo through the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, implemented by Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe.

Project Details – Overall Objective:

Strengthen economic self-reliance and stabilize the labour market in Kosovo by supporting rural entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods, with a strong focus on women, youth, and marginalized groups.

Key Results and Expected Outcomes

    • 100 rural entrepreneurs supported through transparent and competitive selection, with a minimum of 30% women.
    • €693,600 invested in rural economic development through equipment-only grants combined with mentoring support.
    • More than 5,000 hours of individualized mentoring delivered (up to 50 hours per beneficiary).
    • Over 80% of beneficiaries report increased income, improved skills, or business growth.
    • Enhanced self-employment and income-generating opportunities across rural communities.

Skills and Capacity Development

    • Business, financial, and operational skills strengthened through one-on-one mentoring.
    • Entrepreneurial capacity improved through tailored coaching aligned with individual business needs.
    • Productivity and sustainability increased through targeted, needs-based equipment packages.

Inclusion and Local Impact

    • Women, youth, minorities, and marginalized rural groups empowered to build viable livelihoods.
    • Rural economies strengthened through improved access to tools, skills, and income opportunities.
    • Contribution to more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable local economic development.

Implementation Approach

    • Equipment-only grants combined with structured mentoring to ensure effective use and long-term impact.
    • Strong focus on self-employment, income stability, and labour market inclusion in rural areas.
    • Implemented nationwide, leveraging Help’s extensive field presence and established local partnerships.

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Current Projects, Current Projects, News
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:

  • 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.

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • 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.

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Current 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 21 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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Completed Projects, Completed 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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Completed 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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Completed 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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Completed 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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Completed 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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Completed 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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Completed Projects