Quarterly Report #3: EMPOWER Private Sector - Jan-Mar 2015

This is achieved by helping them identify and connect to market opportunities, improve product design and quality, increase productivity, upgrade management and workforce skills, and expand access to finance. The project focuses on three objectives: increasing the competitiveness and market orientation of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), job creation, and strengthening the capacity of local partners. During the reporting period, EMPOWER started receiving applications and identified businesses that represent good opportunities. A total of 39 identified sector investment opportunities were identified under Component 1, exceeding the targeted number for this Activity Area by 9. Additionally, 22 viable focus sector investment opportunities were selected for interventions under Component 1, exceeding the targeted number for this Activity Area by 10. The total number of jobs expected is 686, which is 536 more than projected for this activity area in Year One Workplan. Under Component 2, a total of 39 identified sector investment opportunities were identified, exceeding the targeted number for this Activity Area by 19. Thirteen viable focus sector investment opportunities were selected for interventions under Component 2, exceeding the targeted number for this Activity Area by 5. The total number of jobs expected is 396, which is 296 more than projected for this activity area in Year One Workplan. EMPOWER supported 7 trade show and B2B activities throughout this quarter, with 63 different company beneficiaries participating. The program received 162 Concept Notes (Expression of Interest) from applicants throughout Kosovo, requesting a total of €6,258,601. The Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) reviewed these applications and rejected 73 of them, while 89 are still in the process of review. The applicants requesting funds for these 89 applications claimed that they would create 1691 jobs. EMPOWER staff have proactively reached out to potential direct beneficiaries of the grant scheme and the general public, using various tools to inform them about how the program supports businesses and strengthens the position of women and youth in the private sector. The program's road show was a success, bringing together over 280 representatives of businesses, local associations, and municipal authorities, including mayors. The project has made significant progress in establishing its operational and financial policies and procedures. The EMPOWER office is fully equipped and operational, and all policies governing HR, Procurement, Reporting, and Financial Management have been successfully established. The Performance-Based Management System Plan (PBMS) was finalized and approved by USAID in Quarter 2, and the Project Activities Database (PAD) is being customized and installed. The company that developed the original version of PAD is working on finalizing the redesigned layout, and it is expected to be completed in Quarter 3. The project has also made progress in preparing the operations manual on procurements and subcontracts, which was completed in Quarter 1. The Grants Manual was completed and submitted for consideration on October 22, 2014, and was approved by the office of RCO on January 30, 2015. This opened the road for EMPOWER to start issuing grant agreements.