DCM visit to the north

"The idea for the Ibar River Cleanup project came from the community, and the work is being carried out by members of your community," remarked USEP Deputy Chief of Mission Michael J. Murphy at the official launch of Phase II of the project on March 29. "This is what makes this project such a great success. You saw a need, you created a plan, and you made it happen."

Initiated and managed by three local NGOs -- Mitrovica Business Women Association, Mundesia (Possibility) and Me dorë ne zemër (Hand on the Heart) -- Phase I of the Working for OUR Future project generated nearly 10,000 workdays for members of all communities living in the region. The project continues to provide vital short term paid employment for 204 residents of Mitrovica and surrounding areas, helping to ease unemployment rates of nearly 70% in this part of Kosovo.

The Ibar River cleanup project is part of USAID's ongoing activities aimed at encouraging community participation throughout Kosovo, while enhancing the long neglected environment of the region.

Another way USAID is making a difference is by assisting local businesses with private enterprise grants to provide sustainable income opportunities and stimulate the local economy. These grants have already created a total of 89 full-time and 42 seasonal jobs over the past few months. The Deputy Chief of Mission also visited one of the private enterprise grant recipients, which has tripled its daily output and already hired nine additional full-time workers, with plans to create 16 more new jobs in the next two months.