Final Report: Advancing Kosovo Together - Local Solution

The project was launched on October 1, 2014, and was extended for 13 months. AKT-LS was designed to support the achievement of the United States Government's foreign policy objective of peace and stability in the Balkans by supporting the development objective of the USAID Country Development Cooperation Strategy. The program goal was to foster positive and constructive inter-ethnic cooperation between Kosovo non-majority communities and majority communities in addressing common problems of unemployment, social needs, and municipal services in 16 targeted municipalities throughout Kosovo. The project focused on improving communication and integration between minority and majority populations, improving economic opportunities for non-majority communities, and increasing the efficiency and capacity of target municipal administrations to respond to their citizens' needs. AKT-LS worked in three distinct but integrated technical areas: Local Government, Private Sector Development and Employment Generation, and Civil Society Empowerment. In the Local Government area, the project directly contributed to the improvement of local infrastructure, quality of service provision, and capacity development for local government institutions. This was achieved through the provision of training, technical assistance, and infrastructure development. In the Private Sector Development and Employment Generation area, AKT-LS supported entrepreneurship through training and seed funding, and by providing market linkage opportunities. The project focused on private sector development in 16 municipalities, which was expected to be significant given the scarcity of employment and income generation opportunities in these areas. This component was essential for the creation of job opportunities and self-employment. The Civil Society Empowerment area focused on strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations to advocate for the rights and interests of non-majority communities. This was achieved through the provision of training, technical assistance, and capacity development programs. The project also supported the establishment of community forums and other mechanisms for promoting dialogue and cooperation between minority and majority communities. Throughout the project, AKT-LS worked closely with local stakeholders, including municipal governments, civil society organizations, and private sector entities. The project's activities were designed to be sustainable and to build on existing initiatives and programs. AKT-LS also maintained a strong focus on monitoring and evaluation, with regular assessments and evaluations conducted to measure progress and identify areas for improvement. The project's impact was significant, with improvements noted in communication and integration between minority and majority populations, economic opportunities for non-majority communities, and the efficiency and capacity of target municipal administrations. The project also contributed to the creation of job opportunities and self-employment, and strengthened the capacity of civil society organizations to advocate for the rights and interests of non-majority communities. Overall, AKT-LS was a successful project that made a positive impact on the lives of people in Kosovo. The project's focus on inter-ethnic cooperation, economic development, and civil society empowerment helped to promote peace and stability in the region, and contributed to the achievement of the United States Government's foreign policy objective of peace and stability in the Balkans.