<![CDATA[Lighting a Brighter Future]]>

January 12th, 2012 lighting_a_brighter_future_small.jpg <![CDATA[Lighting a Brighter Future]]> CASE STUDY
Lighting a Brighter Future

Youth in a multi-ethnic neighborhood spearhead effort to light a blighted area, improving security. Lighting a Brighter Future

“Since this street is now light, we feel safe. Young people from this street can spend more time together after the sun sets; older people started to go for walks in the evenings.”

The youth of a multi-ethnic neighborhood of Mitrovica identified poor light on the streets as a serious detriment to quality of life in their area. Working with USAID, they led the installation of nine new street lights and the repair of nine existing lights, restoring use of the streets after dark by young people and the elderly.

Life was difficult and scary in the dark streets of a multi-ethnic neighborhood of Mitrovica. Upon the arrival of dusk, the children of Kodra e Minatoreve would scatter, afraid of what hid in each dark corner. Security and safety in the poverty stricken neighborhood was already an issue, and the darkness only ex-acerbated the problems and limited people’s mobility.

At a two-day USAID workshop held in Struga, Macedonia, a group of Kosovo Albanian and Kosovo Serb youth from the neighborhood proposed a remedy – simply install more street lights to benefit the more than 1,300 residents. The young people offered to take the lead on the project, using the skills they had acquired through the USAID Support to Kosovo Young Leaders Program.

With a grant of €830 from the SKYL program and another €280 from the community, nine new street lights were installed and nine existing lights were repaired. As a result of this initiative, the youth brought the people in the neighborhood closer together. “Since this street is now light we feel safe. Young people from this street can spend more time together after the sun sets; older people started to go for walks during the evenings,” said one of the young leaders, who identified himself only as Alexander.

The success of the project has boosted the self-confidence and motivation of the youth and the community in general. “Our youth have had opportunities to attend trainings from several NGOs, but this project is something concrete, said Nebojsha Maric, a community leader and the Director of “First Step”, a local NGO involved with the project. “Training youth how to lead and be a leader is wonderful, he added. “They started from a mere idea and ended with the implementation of the project.”

The deputy director, Nexhat Imeri added: “This project will offer good opportunities for other joint activities between Serbian, Albanian and other communities who live in Kodra e Minatoreve in North Kosovo. Our future will be brighter with our young leaders.”

]]> multi-ethnic, Mitrovica, Kodra e Minatoreve, Struga, Macedonia, Kosovo Albanian, Kosovo Serb, young leaders, Nebojsha Maric, Nexhat Imeri, North Kosovo 12/01/2012 # August 25th, 2011 trafficking_case_study_small.jpg <![CDATA[Help That Endures When Helpers Go]]> CASE STUDY
Help That Endures When Helpers Go

Helping shelters for victims of human trafficking and abuse to become self-sustainable Help That Endures When Helpers Go

USAID-supported kiosk in central Gjakova/Djakovica, where local shelter sells honey and fresh produce to help cover its operating costs

“The greenhouse, kiosk, bees, honey, salads and flowers have surpassed expectations and made our Safe House more sustainable.”

(Sakibe Doli, Director, Safe House in Gjakovë/Djakovica)

Two entrepreneurial projects, launched with the support of USAID, are helping to ensure that two shelters created for victims of human trafficking and other forms of violence in Kosovo will continue to function when international funding for the shelters comes to an end. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) supported the shelters in Gjilan/Gnjilane (opened in 2003) and Gjakovë/Djakovica (opened in 2000) to combat the serious problem of human trafficking in the region. According to the U.S. State Department and international organizations, Kosovo is a source, transit and destination country for women and children trafficked across national borders, mainly for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation.

Since the “Safe House” was opened in Gjakovë/Djakovica, 789 victims have found help within its walls. In the case of the “Liria” shelter in Gjilan/Gnjilane, the number of victims assisted is 945. A big problem for both shelters was how to become self-sustaining. USAID, in cooperation with the IOM, seems to have found a solution.

USAID provided a grant to build a small greenhouse near the Gjakovë/Djakovica shelter and to purchase four bee hives. Two victims work in the greenhouse and with the bees for a small salary, supported by volunteers. The flowers, vegetables and honey they produce are sold at a kiosk, which employs two previous shelter beneficiaries. In Gjilan/Gnjilane, a USAID grant helped the Liria shelter start a photocopy and printing service. The municipality provided a small shop for the new business.

The small businesses generate income for the shelters and provide jobs training for victims. Thus far, the Gjilan/Gnjilane business does not generate enough revenue to cover the shelter’s operating costs, but it does cover the workers’ salaries. However, the Gjakovë/Djakovica business generates enough income to pay workers, cover part of the shelter’s operating costs AND provide a buffer account to cover unanticipated needs. Gjakovë/Djakovica is well on its way toward sustainability. The amount of the USAID grants for the two businesses? Only $15,000 each!

]]> The International Organization for Migration, IOM, human trafficking, bee hives, small salary, transit and destination country 25/08/2011 # July 13th, 2011 got_milk_small.jpg <![CDATA[Got Milk! Kosovo and Albania]]> Each year, Kosovo's dairy farmers face the problem of excess milk production in the summer because of the lactation cycle after cows give birth.]]> CASE STUDY
Got Milk! Kosovo and Albania

Making Exports Worth the Trouble

Kosovo Milk Truck Heads for Albanian Border

Each year, Kosovo's dairy farmers face the problem of excess milk production in the summer because of the lactation cycle after cows give birth. Farmers cope by throwing out milk, selling it at below-market prices or slaughtering cows. The result – dairy farmers lose money and then don't have enough cows to meet the higher milk demand in the winter. Yet, across the bor-der in neighboring Kosovo, there is not enough milk to meet demand in the summer, the heavy tourist season. The logical solution is for Kosovo's milk producers to export their product to the south, but there is an impediment – over-valuation of Koso-vo milk by customs officials at the Albanian border, resulting in high import taxes.

USAID stepped in and facilitated negotiations between the Kosovo Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and the govern-ment of Albania. USAID documented the Albanian practice of revaluing raw milk from Kosovo at the border. That practice made Kosovo milk exports uncompetitive in the Albanian mar-ket.

The negotiations were successful. Albania removed the arbitrary reference price for all goods coming from Kosovo, resulting in a fair transaction value for Kosovo milk.

]]> dairy farmers, milk production, milk, tourist season, high import taxes, Ministry of Trade and Industry 13/07/2011 # April 4th, 2011 im_just_like_you_small.jpg <![CDATA[I´m just like you!]]> I'm just like you!

11 years old Mjalta Bajraktari

The highlight of the project was a play for St. Sava day performed by Borjanka Ljumovic.

"I want to become a teacher!" 11 years old Mjalta Bajraktari often says. Until November 2010, this was only wishful thinking for Mjalta, who has Down Syndrome and was excluded from Kosovo's educational system, but attitudes are changing thanks to two USAID-supported NGOs. Down Syndrome Kosova (DSK) has made Mjalta's dreams possible with their project "Inclusive Education: National policy, or only an idea?" They have opened doors for those who have been denied their right to education because they have special needs.

DSK identified the needs of the Down Syndrome community throughout Kosovo, documenting the resources needed by institutions to involve children with special needs in the educational system. Their efforts included the drafting of a five-year-strategy for the inclusive education of children with special needs.

Leonora Shabani from the Parents Support Group of DSK remarked that 'all 19 children who we could register through our project in pre-primary schools, and all 20 who we could register in primary schools are very happy. Their parents and teachers are extremely satisfied and believe that only by attending mainstream educational institutions can these children develop to their full potential".

Meanwhile in North Mitrovica, a separate NGO, Youth Empowerment Center (YEC), implemented a 'Special Needs Awareness through Radio and Theater' project. Through radio shows, YEC familiarized the public on the rights of children with special educational needs and the daily problems they face. The panel, which included a psychologist, a social worker, and a speech and language therapist, also addressed the difficulties of parents in overcoming obstacles that allow them to create a safe childhood for their children.

Katarina Knezevic of YEC commented that their activities were 'wholeheartedly supported by parents - wherein all children, not just those with special needs, participated in the school play and festivities.'

When asked what Mjalta likes most about her new school, she said "I love my teacher, and also Qëndrim," who is a boy in her class. Thanks to local groups like Down Syndrome Kosova and the Youth Empowerment Center, boys and girls just like Mjalta can now go on to pursue their dreams.

]]> Mjalta Bajraktari, Down Syndrome, Youth Empowerment Center, Radio and Theater, Katarina Knezevic, children with special needs 04/04/2011 # March 2nd, 2011 early_detection_small.jpg <![CDATA[Early Detection is the Best Medicine!]]> Early Detection is the Best Medicine!

In just two months since an ultrasound machine was donated to 'Santa Marija', a USAID supported NGO in Mitrovica North, more than 152 women have already been examined for breast and abdominal cancer. This highlights both the importance of improving cancer diagnosis and treatment services, and how valuable the work of community based NGOs are to the people in Serb majority northern Kosovo.

Dr. Slavisa Stanisic and Mr. Alfred Boll, U.S. Embassy Pristina representative during a visit to NGO Santa Marija.

The importance of early detection and accurate diagnosis cannot be overstated as it significantly improves the patients' chances of receiving successful treatment. Each year in northern Kosovo approximately 135 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. It is estimated that in the period 2006-2009 more than 200 of the 500 new breast cancer cases in the north were treated in hospitals in Novi Pazar and Belgrade.

Blagica Radovanovic, the director of NGO Santa Marija is a cancer survivor herself. She had to undergo surgery twice in order to remove the cancer from her body. Ms.Radovanovic thanked USAID for understanding the need for this equipment, saying 'Today, I feel just as happy as when my cancer was cured. Before the closest place where woman can get the examination is Novi Pazar or Belgrade. Now we have this equipment and doctors who can operate with it so we don't have to go to Belgrade or elsewhere to get proper treatment'

Ms. Blagica Radovanovic, director of NGO Santa Marija, greets Mr. Alfred Boll from the U.S. Embassy in Pristina

Dr. Slavica Stanisic is just one of the doctors who will operate with the equipment, and has offered his services for free in order to promote a healthier community. Dr.Stanisic recalls how he used to treat patients from all communities in Kosovo, and wants to continue to treat patients regardless of their ethnic background.

Dr. Slavica Stanisic remarked that it was his "dream to give something back to the community. Getting this equipment is almost unbelievable; it is like winning the lottery, like winning a brand new Mercedes! Woman of all communities are already reaching us and asking if they can come for examinations at the Students Clinic. Before the recent awareness campaign we had just two visitors per month – and look at what we have already accomplished".

USAID is also supporting NGO Santa Marija to promote education and awareness campaigns, as well as provide psychological care for those diagnosed with cancer and their families. NGO 'Santa Marija' has so far given 25 presentations and workshops to 312 beneficiaries.

]]> ultrasound machine, Santa Marija, cancer survivor, Blagica Radovanovic, Alfred Boll, U.S. Embassy in Pristina 02/03/2011 # February 21st, 2011 committed_teachers_lead_by_example_small.jpg <![CDATA[Committed Teachers Lead by Example]]> Committed Teachers Lead by Example

Valdete Qahili (back row, second right) and other teachers from the recent English Language Teacher Training course.

Valdete works two full time teaching jobs, one at a Pristina primary school and another at a private language school. She typically works every day from 7:30 am to 9 pm. As if she were not busy enough she is also a mother of two and recently completed a USAID sponsored English Language Teacher Training course, just one of 75 teachers who will spend five weekends working to improve their lesson planning and teaching skills.

Despite having to invest 16 hours each weekend in the course, Valdete didn't miss a single minute of training. During the week, she completed all homework assignments, and was always ready to welcome trainers into her classroom to observe her lessons and give feedback. The commitment Valdete and her colleagues are making to this program will have an immediate positive impact on the nearly 16,000 students they work with annually.

"This training was well worth every single minute of free time I spent. I learned so much about teaching, and also about myself. I think this course is deep, and makes teachers think about why they do what they do."

Teachers in Kosovo have few resources beyond their textbooks and a piece of chalk, so effective teaching methods are even more important for them. With up to 45 students in a class, teachers welcome new approaches. In spite of these challenges, school children in Kosovo love learning English, and welcome the trainers into their classrooms with enthusiasm.

Valdete has been motivated to apply to be a Master Facilitator with another upcoming USAID-funded program, as she is inspired to lead other teachers to make effective change in their lessons and in their schools. Valdeta also plans to take part in the final phase of this project, the 'Training of Leading Teachers' course that will help train and inspire her fellow teachers in the years to come.

Considering her extremely busy schedule both as a mother and a teacher, her trainers were impressed by her dedication. Valdete's class was the first of the English Language Teacher Training project funded by USAID's FORECAST program, supported by the Kosovo Ministry of Education Science & Technology.

Participants: Front row: Merita Sabedini, Fatmire, Leonora Gashi, Fatlume Limani, Flutura Shala Back row: Fllanza Hajrullahu, Laraine Altun (trainer), Josephine Clark Kennedy (trainer), Arlinda Zeqiri, Nexhdet Semninca, William Kennedy (trainer), Valdete Qahili, Yllka Rexhepi

]]> Valdete Qahili, Master Facilitator, English Language Teacher Training course, Teachers in Kosovo, Ministry of Education Science and Technology 21/02/2011 # February 14th, 2011 honey_story_small.jpg <![CDATA[Sweet Success in Strpce!]]> Sweet Success in Strpce!

What does success taste like? For the thirty-five honey producers from the mountains surrounding Brezovica who have come together as "SarskiRoj" - bee swarm from the Sharr (Mountains) - it is golden sweet!

New storage and equipment will enable SarskiRoj Association members to preserve the quality of their product and expand their customer base.

Based in the Serb-majority village of Strpce, the beekeepers association produces up to 4.5 tons of honey per year, but SarskiRoj founder Miljan Krstic says that previously they did not have the means to collect and store it. "We had to give most of our honey to friends or family so it wouldn't be wasted. With the new equipment we can increase our production and sell it properly."

To improve the quality of their product, they received a grant from USAID's Initiating Positive Change Program to introduce modern extraction and storage methods to their association.

Association member Ivanka Samardzic says, "I am happy that after today, I can collect and store honey in a proper manner and sell it to the customers. Before today I had to give away most of the 200 kilograms of honey I produced every year and barely manage to sell any of it."

And the product is more than just sweet. Another beneficiary, well-known pediatrician Dr. Vlastimir Stojcetovic, has often prescribed it to his patients. "In many cases I recommended the parents use honey dissolved in water and give it to their children, along with other medicine." He says that in many cases, children using honey get better faster than those without it.

Miljan and other members have attended the food producers' fair in Pristina and made contact with honey producers from all over Kosovo, with whom they will cooperate in the future. With many uses and a community working together, the honey from SarskiRoj will soon be available all over Kosovo.

]]> SarskiRoj, Miljan Krstic, honey producers, honey, Ivanka Samardzic, food producers 14/02/2011 # February 12th, 2011 mans_best_friend_inspires_community_Spirit_small.jpg <![CDATA[Man's Best Friend Inspires Community Spirit! ]]> Man's Best Friend Inspires Community Spirit!

Man´s Best Friend Inspires Community Spirit!

Veterinarian Dejan Spasic and 'Mali Princ' founder Milan Obrenovic treat a stray dog brought to the veterinary clinic by local residents.

Stray dogs are a recurring problem throughout the Balkans - and Kosovo is certainly no exception. Even with the challenges of daily life, community activists in Zvecan Municipality have decided to tackle this problem. Local resident Milan Obrenovic teamed up with veterinarian Dejan Spasic to form a local NGO, Mali Princ, to help protect these animals and improve the quality of life in their community. Sad to say, the previous method of dealing with street dogs was unregulated culling, so this is obviously a more humane alternative worth developing.

The team first locates the street dogs, often with the help of the local community, and each dog is then registered and given a medical check-up. After the check-up and routine vaccination, the veterinary team determines whether or not the dog needs additional treatment - which is the case in over 90% of the cases. The dogs are then provided with a dog tag, flea collar and released. "The dogs are often in bad condition, abandoned, malnourished, in a word 'endangered' " noted one volunteer. The veterinary team registered and medically treated 114 dogs over the two-month period up January 31st, 2011.

On Dec 28th, Mali Princ gave a lecture to 18 civic-minded young people about the condition of the street dogs and how they might get involved. Another seminar focused on community involvement and awareness-raising. The youth are in the process of forming a club to protect the animals and the local environment, and there is significant interest in teaming up with a group of like-minded volunteers from Pristina; Hope for the Street Dogs of Kosovo to include northern communities in their annual spaying and neutering program.

Mali Princ is now talking with local veterinary medicine high school students in Leposavic to get them involved in a similar initiative in their community. The project will receive additional funding to make this happen. This is a good first step of solving the problem of street dogs in Kosovo.

This Technical Assistance project is one of 28 NGOs in northern Kosovo receiving funding from USAID's Focus on Results: Enhancing Capacity Across Sectors in Transition (FORECAST) project.

]]> Veterinarian, Zvecan Municipality, Mali Princ, Dejan Spasic, medical check-up, Stray dogs, Street Dogs, Technical Assistance project 12/02/2011 # February 10th, 2011 learning_about_justice_with_coloring_books_small.jpg <![CDATA[Learning about Justice... with coloring books?]]> Learning about Justice... with coloring books?

Learning about Justice... with coloring books?

Children were enthusiastic upon receiving the coloring books during the Court Open Day visit at the Skenderaj/Srbica Municipal Court. Photo credit: Mustafa Komoni, NCSC.

Children in Kosovo are now "Learning About Justice" thanks to over 17,000 coloring books that have been distributed to rural and urban primary schools since the project's launch in June 2010. The coloring books, published with USAID support, have been in high demand throughout the country.

"Learning About Justice" coloring books are a new approach for teaching students about the judicial system, government institutions, judges, and citizens' responsibilities. The coloring books include pictures of the people who work in the judicial system, including a judge and a policeman, each with a brief caption describing their jobs. Other illustrations describe individual rights and civic duties, such as helping to keep your neighborhood clean.

The coloring books are printed in Albanian, Serbian, and Turkish languages and were originally distributed in the municipalities where USAID is establishing Model Courts. In response to additional requests, "Learning about Justice" coloring books have been distributed throughout Kosovo, expanding the reach and impact of the program.

Individual Americans have become involved in this project as well. In addition to USAID providing support for the coloring books, more than 500 supporters in the United States have made private donations of nearly 7,500 boxes of crayons to accompany the books and to strengthen the partnership between the courts, schools, and USAID. Each crayon set is labeled with the American flag and the following message of support: "These crayons are a gift from friends in the U.S. who support your learning of the justice system and the law. Color your dreams, for as you dream, so you will become."

The "call for crayons" was advertised online through social networks and USAID's Kosovo Justice Support Program. The program is continuing the call for crayons to support the book activity as the Model Courts Program expands.

Rule of law is key to Kosovo's further development and USAID is working to address the issues that are hindering that development. Other projects include improving court administration, case backlog reduction, and the establishment of ten Model Courts, which in the long term will serve as models for the rest of the judicial sector. All these efforts will help increase public awareness and public's trust in the rule of law.

]]> Learning About Justice, teaching students, individual rights and civic duties, coloring books, call for crayons, Model Courts Program, rule of law 10/02/2011 # February 3rd, 2011 linking_kosovo_serb_and_bosniak_communities_small.jpg <![CDATA[Linking Kosovo Serb and Bosniak Communities]]> ]]> Linking Kosovo Serb and Bosniak Communities

Map of Kosovo highlighting the audience and range of each radio station in the KOSMA network.

USAID representatives present the COMREX equipment to Omega 3 to enable them to connect with the KOSMA network. From left; Branislav Krstic, IREX; Danielle Spinard, USAID; Albana Kusari, USAID; and Ramce Kasi, Director Omega 3.

For the first time in Kosovo, direct links have been established between a Bosniak radio station and a network of Serbian language radio stations, allowing them to conduct live broadcasts over the Internet. New Internet technology provided by USAID enabled members of Kosovo Media Association (KOSMA) to exchange live or pre-recorded programs and news items, even with low-quality internet connections.

In addition, KOSMA member stations have been supplied with mobile units, which allow them to broadcast live from anywhere with an internet connection. This is an important development that strengthens the quality, variety, and reach of news available in Kosovo-Serb and Bosniak communities.

Out of a population of approximately two million in Kosovo there are an estimated 120,000 Kosovo Serbs and around 40,000 Bosniaks. Reliable data will only come with the Kosovo census in 2011. "We cover around 90% of the Bosniak community in Kosovo", says Omega 3's owner Ramce Kasi. "Our new live link with the KOSMA stations will allow us to reach many of the remainder. We already re-broadcast Radio Free Europe's news, so transmitting KOSMA's nightly "Journal" program will add to the variety of output we offer our listeners".

OSCE built the original KOSMA network with microwave technology in 2004 but it was expensive to maintain, often malfunctioned, and was not able to broadcast online. USAID's Strengthening Independent Minority Media (SIMM) program provided the equipment through a €37,400 grant.

The equipment was installed at each of the five stations that belong to KOSMA; Radio KIM in Cagllavicë/Caglavica, Radio Kontakt Plus in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, Radio Gorazdevac in Gorazhdevc/Gorazdevac, and two new members: Radio Klokot in Kllokot/Klokot and Radio Herc in Shtërpce/Strpce. There are also two other stations linked to the network although not full members; Radio Hit Laser in Pasjane and Bosniak station Radio Omega 3 in Prizren.

KOSMA's Chairman, Darko Dimitrijevic, who is also executive director of Radio Gorazdevac, sees news-gathering advantages. "We need better coverage of Prizren for the network", he says. "It's an important community in Kosovo and we need to know more about what goes on there. Radio Omega 3 can give us that coverage".

]]> Bosniak radio station, Kosovo Media Association, Radio Free Europe, Radio KIM, Radio Kontakt Plus, Radio Gorazdevac, Darko Dimitrijevic, radio station 03/02/2011 # January 16th, 2011 bringing_government_and_the_people_closer_small.jpg <![CDATA[Bringing Government and the People Closer]]> ]]> Bringing Government and the People Closer

Bringing Government and the People Closer

Members of Parliament discussing local issues with members of the public in the newly opened regional office.

"For the very first time in Kosovo, NGO 'Eye of Vision' managed to open an office that enables citizens to meet with their political representatives and be open for their feedback and questions five days a week." Veton Mujaj, Executive Direcor of the non-governmental organization from Peja, Eye of Vision

Local NGO Eye of Vision (EoV) established a regional office in Peja that serves as a contact point for Members of the Kosovo Assembly and local authorities and citizens. This gives communities increased access to their government representatives and make the law making process more transparent. This also serves as a pilot project that can be later on replicated in other regions of Kosovo.

Peja citizens welcomed the opening of the regional office and constantly ask for meetings with MPs, Mujaj said. "We are pleased because we have managed to engage 18 out of 22 MPs from our area in different forms of communication with citizens," he added. These MPs took part in meetings with citizens, listened to their requests and were directly exposed to citizens' feedback.

Kosovo's electoral system consists of one electoral zone where deputies are elected from an electoral list of a political entity, so elected Members of Parliament are often not directly related to their electorate. No efforts had been taken to reduce the gap and as a result, there is a lack of communication between the citizens at the local level and the lawmakers at the central level.

EoV overcame many challenges during the implementation process of the project. One of them was to bring together MPs from different political parties to join activities that relate to citizens. Finally EoV managed to not only invite MPs of the ruling party and opposition but also to organize meetings with MPs of the Egyptian and Bosniak community.

In addition to using the regional office as a link between actors of local and central level, EoV used the office as a channel to advocate for an amendment to the Law on Forests in Kosovo. EoV together with other stakeholders urged the Kosovo Assembly Committee for Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development to put pressure on the Assembly to draft a new law on forests. As part of a working group, EoV provided 30 recommendations to improve the existing law, in line with EU regulations. The new draft law, which includes EoV's recommendations, was submitted to the Kosovo Assembly. ]]> Eye of Vision, Veton Mujaj, non-governmental organization, Local NGO, Kosovo Assembly, Kosovo's electoral system, government 16/01/2011 # January 5th, 2011 blueberries_small.jpg <![CDATA[Kosovo's Blueberries Improve Health and Income!]]> Hit Flores]]> Kosovo's Blueberries Improve Health and Income!

Kosovo´s Blueberries Improve Health and Income!

US Ambassador Christopher Dell meets with Nuredin Bajrami, owner of Hit Flores

US Ambassador Christopher Dell was recently told how a USAID grant led to the purchase of new equipment for Hit Flores, a small company which has helped more than double the income of families in the area. Amazing!

Mr. Kamberi is one of hundreds of Gorani collectors in the Dragash/Dragas area that supply Hit Flores with blueberries and other food products, mostly for export. Blueberries are widely known for their health benefits and can be used in a variety of consumer goods such as jellies, pies, snack foods, and cereals. Especially in wild species, blueberries are said to possibly have a role in reducing risks of some diseases, including inflammation and certain cancers.

USAID's Kosovo Private Enterprise Program aims to stimulate the private sector competitiveness of Kosovo's economy. As well as helping to make Kosovo an attractive country for investment, the goal of the program is to provide employment opportunities for job seekers, create new market opportunities for local producers of goods and services, and provide internships and skills training programs for young students and workers to improve their productivity or to market themselves with potential employers.

In 2009, the Kosovo Private Enterprise Program supported a group of Kosovo businessmen to attend the Fancy Food Show in New York, where they were able to proudly present Kosovo products to the international market. The future is bright!

]]> Christopher Dell, Nuredin Bajrami, Hit Flores, blueberries, health benefits, jellies, pies, snack foods, cereals 05/01/2011 # December 3rd, 2010 tv_mreza_large.jpg <![CDATA[TV Mreza Morning Show Unites Kosovo!]]> TV Mreza Morning Show Unites Kosovo!

The TV Mreza network recently launched the latest in its series of joint programming ventures which shares output between local Serbian language TV stations in Kosovo. Two of the network's member stations, TV Mir in the northern town of Leposavic and TV Puls in Silovo in the south, are jointly producing a "Morning Show" program.

The "Morning Show" program produced by two stations form the TV Mreza network; TV Mir based in the northern town of Leposavic, and TV Puls from Silovo in southern Kosovo.

The Serb community in Kosovo, approximately 120,000 strong, makes up around 6% of the total population. Around half live in north Kosovo, north of the Ibar River, where they are the majority. The remainder lives in scattered communities in central and southern Kosovo and local Serb language media, radio and TV, play an important role in keeping these communities in touch with each other.

As well as the "Morning Show", the four member stations share the Kosnet-Info weekly magazine program, produced by TV Puls and TV Herc in Strpce. New Press Productions produces a weekly talk show, "Slobodno Srpski" which interviews politicians and cultural leaders from both the Kosovo Albanian and Kosovo Serb communities. TV Most in Zvecan produces a weekly program for the Roma people in Kosovo, "Anglunipe" ("Future"), so all stations are involved in joint programming. They also exchange news items on a daily basis, so Serbs in Kosovo can keep up with what's going on in other communities.

Developing joint programming is also important for developing TV Mreza as a business. "When I present to potential advertisers I have to be able to show them something they know will reach all Serbs in Kosovo, something they will be proud to have linked with their brand", says TV Mreza marketing manager Stanko Pevac. "We are now beginning to get together a portfolio of programs which are well designed and shot and of good editorial quality".

Next in line is a "What's On" program for young people, and entertainment and music shows, helping TV's "Morning Show" bring Kosovo's Serbian speakers closer together.

]]> TV Mreza network, Serbian language TV stations, Morning Show, TV Puls, TV Herc, news items on a daily basis 03/12/2010 # November 30th, 2010 now_i_have_home_large.jpg <![CDATA[Now I have a home!]]> Now I have a home!

From groundbreaking to moving day, it took less than six months for the first 50 deserving families to leave the lead-contaminated Cesmin Lug and Osterode camps in Mitrovica. Those families with young or sick children have already begun their new lives in the recently completed terraced housing in Roma Mahalla.

'Now I have a home' – local children show their appreciation at the inauguration of the new Roma Mahalla settlement.

Delighted community leader Habib Hajdini remarked that they ‘are especially proud that the local municipality, USAID and their friends are working to help our children. It makes us feel part of the community'.

Tests in 2008 showed that nearly every child living in the Cesmin Lug camp was suffering from lead poisoning. Twenty one of those tested at the highest level the test could register, indicating significant threat to life. This deplorable situation was the motivation for closing the camp and establishing a safer home for the families enduring these conditions.

The first objective of this project was to resettle the first 50 families in Roma Mahalla, and then close and demolish the lead-contaminated Cesmin Lug camp. The next step is to resettle an additional 90 Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian (RAE) families currently living in the Osterode camp. This will be completed by June 2011, finally putting an end to the illness and suffering caused by the conditions in which these families have been living for over ten years.

'As the US has supported Kosovo, we wanted to help RAE families'
- Gani Rustemi, Mitrovica Municipality

This breakthrough was possible through USAID and ECLO cooperation, in full coordination with the Municipality of Mitrovica. USAID's RESTART (RAE Economic, Social, Transition, Advocacy, and Resettlement/Reintegration) Program is more than just a relocation plan. Implemented by Mercy Corps, RESTART addresses the long term needs of the RAE families with housing, medical screening and treatment, and livelihood initiatives to support long term, peaceful integration into the community.

Finally we have something to celebrate; something to work with; something to be proud of. It has changed our lives forever. Thank you USA!
- Naser Cazimi, community member

]]> Cesmin Lug, Osterode, camps in Mitrovica, Roma, Ashkali, Egyptian, medical screening and treatment, integration into the community 30/11/2010 # November 5th, 2010 courting_the_future_large.jpg <![CDATA[Courting the Future!]]> Courting the Future!

In just one year, courts in eight cities around Kosovo have been dramatically transformed through renovations that increase transparency and improve efficiency of court services. The new Model Courts in Ferizaj, Gjilan, Kamenica, Skenderaj, Peja, Pristina, Prizren, and Gjakova commemorated the one year anniversary of the court renovation initiative made possible through the support of USAID.

The results and impact of the Model Courts Program, and the court renovations, have been widely praised by court leaders, international observers, and the media in Kosovo as having enabled the justice system to turn the page on the challenges of the past, by improving the quality of services to citizens, and raising the expectations of service in the future.

Kosovo´s Model Courts have embraced the court renovations as a unique opportunity to represent their achievements to the citizens they serve. There is a special focus on the engagement and education of youth to raise awareness, dispel myths and improve understanding. In fulfillment of their court improvement plans for increased communications, access and public information, the Model Courts now engage citizens of all ages in the discussion of their efforts to improve their effectiveness and efficiency.

In conjunction with technical assistance and training provided by USAID, court renovations have transformed rundown facilities, created professional working environments, and enabled the achievement of international standards in staff training, court administration, case management, time standards, backlog reduction, supplies and logistics, security, access, open proceedings and public communications.

With the support of USAID, the Model Courts Program was established in 2008 in partnership with the Kosovo Judicial Council to test and implement best practices for the management of courts throughout the country. Since its founding, the Consortium of Model Courts has become a forum for local leaders to exchange experiences and lessons learned. The renovation of facilities has enabled courts to implement best practices which are memorialized through the Manual on Court Management and Standard Operating Procedures.

]]> Model Courts Program, technical assistance, achievement of international standards, Manual on Court Management, court, access and public information 05/11/2010 # November 1st, 2010 tv_mreza_large.jpg <![CDATA[Internships Lead to Permanent Employment and Raised Income]]> Internships Lead to Permanent Employment and Raised Income

174 students from the University of Prishtina completed this year's work placement program, seventy five of whom have already secured permanent contracts. This is the second year of this program which has seen 107 students placed in fulltime positions out of 214 participants, a remarkable achievement for a country with an estimated 45% unemployment rate.

USAID's Kosovo Private Enterprise Program organized four internship programs in the fields of Accounting and Finance, Wood Processing, and a program which placed students with various ministries and municipal directorates in five municipalities.

The fourth internship program saw 15 students from the Faculty of Veterinary and Agriculture help dairy farmers to increase their yields of high quality milk by providing assistance and training to dairy farmers throughout Kosovo on hygiene and feeding techniques to improve the quality of milk and to prolong its storage. This has led to an average increase of 12% in income for the farmers who received assistance.

USAID/Kosovo Deputy Mission Director, Azza El-Abd, presented program participants with certificates of achievement, remarking that this program ‘demonstrates the value that an internship can bring for both students and employers. The interns gain valuable work experience and the chance to test their chosen career paths. Meanwhile the companies hosting the interns have the opportunity to get to know potential employees. It can be a win-win situation for both the student and the employer.'

Kosovo has made some significant advances in recent years but with unemployment running at 45 – 75% this program has proven a huge success in terms of assisting recently graduated students achieve permanent employment.

]]> University of Prishtina, work placement program, Private Enterprise Program, Accounting and Finance, Wood Processing, Faculty of Veterinary and Agriculture, Azza El-Abd 01/11/2010 # August 30th, 2010 storie_08.jpg <![CDATA[USAID-trained entrepreneur manages first privately-owned day care center]]> USAID-trained entrepreneur manages first privately-owned day care center

On August 19th, USAID/Kosovo Mission Director, Patricia Rader, visited the first privately-owned day care center in Gllogovc/Gllogovac municipality. BAMBI was founded by 21 year old Kaltrina Mujaj, a participant in the USAID supported entrepreneurship training held in 2009.

USAID-trained entrepreneur manages first privately-owned day care center

Kaltrina Mulaj (far right), owner of BAMBI, the first private day-care center in her home town of Drenas

"The entrepreneurship training program made me realize that I could put the skills and knowledge I acquired to a better use," said Kaltrina as she showed visitors around the facilities in the center. The center hosts 25 children ranging in age from six months to six years, and there is an increasing demand for more spaces since many working mothers need day care for their children. Currently, there are four women employed at the center but as summer vacations are ending, she will need to add at least one more due to the requests to host more children.

Kaltrina was one of the 50 participants selected out of 129 applicants for the 10-week entrepreneurship training program organized by the Business Support Center of Kosovo with USAID support. Her objectives going into the training were to gain new knowledge and skills that would help her in her current endeavors. Her determination paid off as she was the recipient of the bank loan for the best business plan developed. As her thriving day care center shows, Kaltrina is now using those skills and realizing her aspirations.

The USAID Kosovo Private Enterprise Program's Entrepreneurship-Microenterprise Training Program was designed to assist entrepreneurially motivated youth to acquire the knowledge and skills required to either start-up or re-organize a small business, or find meaningful employment in an ongoing business enterprise.

USAID's Kosovo Private Enterprise Program (KPEP) is a four-year program designed to develop private sector businesses and business support services in growth sectors, and to improve the environment in which business works by helping associations and others to advocate for business-friendly policies.

]]> Patricia Rader, BAMBI, The entrepreneurship training program, Business Support Center, bank loan, Private Enterprise Program, KPEP 30/08/2010 # 12.29.2009 magic_beans_small.jpg <![CDATA[Magic Beans]]> Magic Beans

One of the three white bean plots in Kosovo

Half a hectare of land in Pestova village, about 23 km from Pristina, is one of the three white bean plots in Kosovo. The USAID Kosovo Private Enterprise Program has launched a project to promote crop rotation as a tool to improve soil fertility and achieve high yields. The other two test plots are located in Deçan/Dečane and Gjilan/Gnjilane, and the three test plot host two white bean varieties: bush and pole. The project is implemented by Grima Consulting Company.

Apart from economic impact, crop rotation is also an environmentally sound method. Reshat Ajvazaj from Grima Consulting pointed out another positive aspect of using beans as rotation crop. "White beans enrich the soil with nitrogen they absorb from the air, so this cultivation method enables farmers not to use artificial fertilizers".

]]> Pestova, Kosovo Private Enterprise, promote crop rotation, soil fertility, achieve high yields, economic impact 29/12/2009 successStorie_more_08.html 03.11.2009 ministry_of_ed_world_learning_small.jpg <![CDATA[MEST launches a modern website]]> Ministry of Education, Science and Technology launches a modern website

In August 2008 the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology launched a modern website (www.masht-gov.net) with technical assistance provided by USAID. Before then the website was static and outdated. The Ministry needed a more effective tool for internal and external communication. The USAID FORECAST project engaged a local web design firm to work closely with Ministry personnel on conceptualizing and designing the site. Assistance included several months of support and training for Ministry personnel so that the Ministry would be able to manage day-to-day updates and make basic changes on its own. The initiative was completed in early summer 2009 and the website is considered to be a great success.

The Ministry's Information Officer, Ismet Osdautaj, explains that the new website provides a much more effective and efficient means of sharing up-to-date and reliable information with personnel, the public and the media. Content is provided in Albanian, Serbian and English. Between March and September 2009 the site received 163,000 visits, including more than 13,000 from outside Kosovo.

New website provides a much more effective and efficient means of sharing up-to-date and reliable information with personnel, the public and the media

Anita Rukovci, Website Officer at the Ministry, reports that the new website has drawn praise from the European Commission as “one of the best in the Balkans.” The design firm, ADV Media House (www.advmediahouse.com), describes this project is a source of pride and gratification, and says that it has led to additional business for them with the Government of Kosovo.

The USAID FORECAST program in Kosovo is implemented by World Learning. ]]> Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Anita Rukovci, ADV Media House, World Learning, Ismet Osdautaj 03/11/2009 successStorie_more_07.html 01.11.2009 moot_scholars_world_learning_small.jpg <![CDATA[Moot Court Competition Leads to 3 International Scholarships]]> Moot Court Competition Leads to 3 International Scholarships

In March 2008 and April 2009, USAID supported the participation of student teams from the University of Prishtina in the Annual Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, a week-long event in which law students from around the world demonstrate their litigation skills in a hypothetical commercial law case. The event takes place at the Law Faculty of the University of Vienna.

The Kosovo teams, under their lead coach Vjosa Osmani (an Assistant Law Professor), prepared for the events for months in advance – including final training in a model courtroom constructed by the US Justice Department and USAID at the University Law Faculty. In all, USAID covered expenses for 7 students and their coaches to participate in the competition. All of them consider the experience of preparation and competition to have been highly valuable.

Three of the students went on to receive international masters scholarships, a fact they attribute directly to the contacts and impressions they made in Vienna.

Moot Court Competition Leads to 3 International Scholarships

Three of the students went on to receive international masters scholarships, a fact they attribute directly to the contacts and impressions they made in Vienna.

Ms. Donikë Qerimi has already completed a one-year masters in International and Comparative Law at the University of Pittsburg, with a full scholarship. Now, she says, “I plan to get involved in projects connected with improving the legislative and judicial climate in Kosovo.” Ms. Kujtesa Nezaj has been offered the same scholarship and plans to begin studies in Pittsburgh in the fall of 2009.

Ms. Anjezë Gojani has accepted a scholarship for a year-long masters program in International and European Business Law at Leiden University in Holland. “Participating in the Vis competition was a major advantage in my application,” she says. Ms. Gojani hopes to work for the Kosovo government when she completes her studies in 2010.

Participation was funded through USAID's program Focus on Results – Enhancing Capacity Across Sectors in Transition, which is implemented by World Learning. ]]> International Scholarships, Donikë Qerimi, Business Law, Leiden University, University of Pittsburg, scholarship, Law Faculty 01/11/2009 successStorie_more_06.html 01.08.2009 tax_ss_01.jpg <![CDATA[Youth of Suhareka/Suvareka act for property tax collection]]> Youth of Suhareka/Suvareka act for property tax collection

A month-long advocacy campaign led by youth of Suharekë/Suva Reka resulted in this municipality meeting the criteria to receive the incentive grant awarded to the municipalities collecting over 247,000 euros of own-source revenues.

The campaign involved members of the high school students' council, who conducted door-to-door meetings with residents and 17 public meetings in the villages and with public sector staff such as the Health Center.

Supported by USAID 's Local Government Initiative (LGI), the municipal official initiated a comprehensive advocacy campaign during December 2005. The plan aimed at collecting household and business property taxes, very often the only source of revenues for municipalities.

In addition to collecting the property tax, the campaign indirectly achieved another success: it raised citizens' awareness of the need for them to participate in the development of the municipality through municipal development funds. In addition to taxes paid, approximately 500,000 euros were collected from communities to combine with municipal development funds to be used for infrastructure projects in their respective communities. ]]> advocacy campaign, high school students, Health Center, Local Government Initiative, business property taxes 01/08/2009 successStorie_more_02.html 01.08.2009 chees_ss_01.jpg <![CDATA[New Cheeses Capture Local Market]]> New Cheeses Capture Local Market

Four Kosovo dairy processors are now making a variety of new cheeses and yogurts, thanks to a USAID effort to energize the dairy industry. The new products are replacing imports, as consumers are discovering locally produced cheeses and yogurts that taste great.

One of the four dairy processors, Abi Company, has added feta, ricotta, and mozzarella cheeses to its production line. Their new mozzarella is quickly winning favor with popular pizzerias. Another processor, Rona, has developed new yogurts and feta, mozzarella, and ricotta cheeses, and is on its way to producing gouda. Rona has also created a refreshing new dairy drink made from whey, a processed milk by-product. A third processor, Shala, changed its cheese processing procedures as a result of the USAID program, and added a feta and whey drinks to its product line. Ajka, the fourth processor, improved its yogurts with a new technique and also launched a whey drink product. The processors are each buying about 5,000 more liters of milk per day from local dairy farms and have boosted their income from new-product sales by $2,000 per day.

USAID provides training and technical assistance to dairy processors as part of its effort to help Kosovo build a strong, stable economy and reduce unemployment. By giving them tools to make products that would otherwise be imported, USAID is strengthening the local economy and increasing the number of jobs on both dairy farms and dairy processing facilities.

The dairy processors are excited about their new products, and have plans to introduce even more varieties of cheese and yogurt to their product lines. In fact, one of the processors is already gearing up to make cheddar cheese and cream cheese. The processors are also getting ready to increase existing cheese and yogurt production even more — three of the plants are expecting to increase their daily milk purchases by 7,000 liters. ]]> cheeses and yogurts, dairy industry, Abi Company, daily milk purchases, feta, ricotta, mozzarella 01/08/2009 successStorie_more_04.html 01.08.2009 baby_heart_ss_01.jpg <![CDATA[Listening to a Baby's Heartbeat]]> Listening to a Baby's Heartbeat

While expecting her third child, Dr. Tole Frrenaj was for the first time able to hear her baby's heartbeat. Now, using a fetal Doppler instrument donated by USAID, Tole can monitor her and other women's babies hearts in their early stages of development.

As part of its efforts to improve Kosovo's healthcare system, USAID is helping health workers obtain equipment, information and training in prenatal care.

Previously, Tole had only used a fetal Doppler instrument during her university training. Now, in addition to giving her patients routine pregnancy examinations, she can also listen to the fetal heartbeat, monitor any changes during the baby's development and recommend treatment based on the equipment's findings — all during the very early stages of her patients' pregnancies.

"As a mother," says Tole, "listening to your baby's heartbeats in the initial weeks of your pregnancy is same as listening to the first cry of your newborn baby. And as doctor by listening I can monitor the development and heart condition of the baby not born yet."

Kosovo has one of the highest infant mortality rates in Europe at 35 deaths per 1,000 live births — a rate two to three times higher than in the neighboring countries. Despite a significant rise in the percentage of attended births over the past decade, infant mortality rates have not dropped. In some areas of Kosovo, almost half of the infant deaths occur before the baby reaches 27 days old. Careful monitoring, nutrition and prenatal care will help reduce those numbers. ]]> healthcare workers, Tole Frrenaj, healthcare system, fetal Doppler, fetal heartbeat, pregnancies, newborn baby 01/08/2009 successStorie_more_05.html