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 of 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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      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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