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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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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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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