USAID EMPOWER Private Sector Activity Quarterly Report #19

The project began in July 2014 with an original budget of $9.8 million, which was later expanded to $14.3 million through additional contributions from Sida and USAID. By March 31, 2019, the project team consisted of 20 staff members and three interns, with headquarters in Prishtina and a branch office in North Mitrovica. The project is implemented by Cardno Emerging Markets USA, Ltd., with subcontractor Crimson Capital, a U.S.-registered small business. The project's overarching objective is job creation, which typically arises from businesses with concrete market opportunities that require increased employment to meet growing demand. To support job creation, EMPOWER aims to help firms expand and improve their capacities to sell into identified opportunities, while assisting individuals in obtaining skills demanded by growing firms. These themes are reflected in the project's two principal intervention components: (1) small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) development, and (2) workforce development. The SME development component focuses on increasing the competitiveness of SMEs in Kosovo's wood, apparel, energy, and other production sectors. This is achieved through the implementation of lean manufacturing tools, process optimization enhancements, and waste reduction. In the wood sector, for example, EMPOWER has supported the implementation of lean manufacturing tools at Divani, a wood processor in Ferizaj, with the goal of increasing competitiveness and reducing waste. The workforce development component aims to improve the skills of Kosovo's workforce, particularly in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector. This is achieved through training programs, internships, and other forms of support. In the ICT sector, EMPOWER has supported the development of a training program for ICT professionals, with the goal of improving their skills and employability. In terms of results, the project has made significant progress in achieving its objectives. According to the project's quarterly report, the number of jobs created in the wood sector has increased by 27% compared to the previous quarter, while the number of jobs created in the apparel sector has increased by 15%. The project has also made significant progress in achieving its workforce development objectives, with a 25% increase in the number of ICT professionals trained compared to the previous quarter. The project's geographic focus is Kosovo, with a particular emphasis on the wood, apparel, energy, and other production sectors. The project's timeframes are January 2019 to March 2019, with a focus on achieving the project's objectives during this period. The project's recommendations for future action include continuing to support the development of SMEs in Kosovo's wood, apparel, energy, and other production sectors, as well as continuing to improve the skills of Kosovo's workforce, particularly in the ICT sector.