JP Kosovo DEED 

ObjectivesFund scope

An innovative initiative that empowered the Kosovo diaspora to play an active role as change agents in their communities of origin, DEED stakeholders collaborated closely with remittance-receiving households, members of the diaspora, and relevant institutions in Kosovo to create opportunities that are the stepping stones towards a better future.

In fostering an enabling environment for inclusive economic growth, joint programme stakeholders reached out to women entrepreneurs and members of the Kosovar diaspora and attempted to shift their perspectives about using remittances as an instrument of investment and to promote inclusive growth. Over the course of four years, DEED projects were aligned with national programme action plans and required investment modalities for remittances led to the design and launch of new banking products, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities, and the brokering of trade initiatives between local business and those of nationals living in the diaspora.

The multi-partner intervention addressed the need for new instruments to make the Kosovo economy less dependent on remittances. DEED stakeholders leveraged Kosovo’s long migration history and, in doing so, created sustainable economic development possibilities where members of the diaspora were engaged as changemakers with their investments having a direct, multiplier effect on the Kosovo economy.

Projects

JP Kosovo DEED

JP Kosovo DEED is currently supporting count_projects ongoing projectscount_globalInterregional and count_countries country-specific. This table shows the most recently approved ongoing projects.

All project financial information can be found in the Financials section, including delivery analysis by organization, theme and project; project financial status by country and by theme.

JP Kosovo DEED

Results

DEED supported the establishment of 25 Diaspora Business Networks in 22 countries. Furthermore, the Global Union of Diaspora Business Networks, which is the umbrella organization for the entire network, actively promoted the importance of diaspora investments in Kosovo and abroad. These networks have proven to be instrumental in moving forward related activities, such as establishing formal associations such as the Diaspora Women Entrepreneurs Network.

Organized in summer 2015, the Expo Forum promoted diaspora investment and business networking practices between the private sector, potential investors, and high level officials from Kosovo and Albania.

The Kosovo Diaspora Investment Fund was legally and formally established in 2014 and promoted widely in-country and abroad. The fund was created to explore alternative means of financing (e.g. equity, small grants, etc.) and an investment prospectus was presented to private sector and diaspora members.

Special attention was given to the functioning of ‘free trade zones’ and collective action involving DEED partners and the national government focused on making strides to functionalize free economic zones in Drenas, Gjakova, Rahovec, Mitrovica, Prizren and other municipalities that expressed interest.

DEED stakeholders promoted Kosovar food products at ANUGA, the world’s largest food fair held in Cologne, Germany. The event was a critical opportunity for Kosovar producers to create new niches for their goods in markets beyond the Western Balkans. Participation was largely successful in that ANUGA allowed for large scale promotion of Kosovar businesses and products abroad while also opening doors to new business partnerships and export possibilities.

Tourism is a growth sector in Kosovo and one of the priorities for Kosovar institutions. Financing was used to support the development of tourism products for the region of Gjakova, which was tapped for its enormous tourism potential. In close cooperation with local NGOs and municipality institutions, stakeholders designed and launched innovative tourism products aimed at national and cross border tourism development.

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