EUROPEAN UNION OFFICE IN KOSOVOEU INFORMATION AND CULTURAL CENTREMother Teresa 16, 10000 Pristina, KosovoTel: +381 (0) 38 25 99 99, Fax:+381 (0) 38 25 99 25E-mail: info@euicc-ks.com and helpdesk@euicc-ks.com

Cika Jovina b.b., Mitrovica, Kosovo

Working hours: Monday - Friday

Working hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 to 18:00

9:00 to 18:00

Tel:+381 (0) 64 44 04 662

10000 Pristina, Kosovo

For more information about European Union in Kosovo

EU INFORMATION AND CULTURAL CENTRE

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European Union

Top Ten European

Chances of Kosovo

Top Ten European Chances of Kosovo

European Union

Introduction

Yes, we can do miracles – together!

When one is confronted with a summary of European Union funded projects in Kosovo, such as this booklet, there are at least two thoughts that cross our minds. First, how much money has in fact already been invested in this future mem-ber of the European family. And second, when European ex-periences and expertise get together with the dynamic and ambitious people of Kosovo, miracles are possible!

Having three harvests instead of one; moving from the lead-contaminated camp to a proper house; opening of a coal mine with an exploitable capacity of 124 million tons of coal; restoring a 200-year old kulla into a three-storey library; win-ning a national quiz for schools that will send a child on an adventure trip all over Europe; writing a “letter to myself in the future” – aren’t all these achievements a kind of modern miracle?

They were made possible because of the joint efforts of de-cision-makers, pre-accession funds, experienced experts and people of good will to change Kosovo into a better place to live, study, work, raise children and simply to enjoy. This booklet is full of such stories. But what makes them real, are the people. A 9th-grader, Diellza Kastrati, winner of the quiz; 58-year old carpenter Ahmet Topaj; new resident of Roma Mahalla Sedat Bahtiu and many, many other individuals are the real heroes of these stories. Because EU investments in various fields literally changed their lives – and changed their private histories into success stories.

And that is why we, the European Union, are here: to help change the lives of the people for the better. In one year that I have been in Kosovo as Head of the EU Office and EU Spe-cial Representative, I had the opportunity to visit many mu-nicipalities of Kosovo. Wherever I saw EU-funded projects or met the people that were involved in some EU-funded activi-ties, our mutual feeling was always pride. They were proud of the outcome that will help improve their lives – and we were proud to be part of that process. It is nice when mutual trust is born out of pride. That is how long-term friendships are born and futures created. Because the future of Kosovo is a Euro-pean one – and Kosovo is our, European future.

Samuel Žbogar, Head of the European Union Office

and EU Special Representative in Kosovo

Content

EDUCATING FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

ACHIEVING A EUROPEAN STANDARD FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

INITIATIVES FOR GREEN KOSOVO

MORE PLAY AND LEARN OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN

SUPPORTING RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE AND CULTURAL INITIATIVES

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page 12

page 10

page 16

page 18

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SOWING THE SEEDS FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT

INSTILLING CONFIDENCE IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

REBUILDING CONFIDENCE IN THE RULE OF LAW

UPGRADING KOSOVO’S INFRASTRUCTURE

DEVELOPING A CONSCIENCOUS USE OF ENERGY

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page 24

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EDUCATING FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

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YOUNG CELLS SCHEME GRADUATEValeza Ukaj • Studied EU Economy and EU International RelationsinLeuwen,Belgium• WorksattheDepartmentforEuropeanIntegration andPolicyCoordination,intheMinistryforCulture, Youth and Sports

“Apartfromthelecturesfromtheworld’sleadingprofes-sors in the field of EU issues, we also had special legal clinics, which were of great benefit.”

YOUNG CELLS SCHEME GRADUATE Vjosa Beqaj• StudiedManagementandtheEnvironmentatthe UniversityofLancaster,UnitedKingdom• WorksasActingDirector for theDepartmentof Infrastructure and Natural Resources in the MinistryofEuropeanIntegration

“Whilstenjoyingtheexcellentlectures,copingwithadif-ferenteducationsystemandexploringthelocalculture,Ialsogainedinsightintohowenvironmentalismcanbesuccessfullyappliedindevelopedcountries.Aspolicy-makers,wearetryingtoimprovesociety’sapproachtoenvironmentalissues.”

YOUNG CELLS SCHEME GRADUATE FlorimCanolli• Studied European Studies at the University of WestminsterinLondon,UnitedKingdom• WorksattheMinistryofEuropeanIntegration

“Myexperiencewith theYoungCellsSchemeremindsme of JuliusCaesar’s famous saying, “Veni, vidi, vici”(“Icame,Isaw,Iconquered”).Theexperienceandaca-demicqualificationshavehelpedmetodevelopasus-tainablecareerwithintheKosovopublicadministration.NowIamactivelyandsuccessfullypromotingthebestEuropean values and practices in Kosovo.”

The futureprosperityofanycountry, in termsofeconomicgrowthand social and political stability, rests largely in the hands of itsyoungpeople. This is especially true of Kosovo.Demographicallyspeaking,thepopulationofKosovoistheyoungestinEurope,withapproximatelyhalftheinhabitantsundertheageof25.InvestmentintheyouthofKosovoisthereforecrucialforthedevelopmentofaforward-looking European state.

The digital futureInresponsetotheneedsofchildrenandyoungpeopleinKosovo,theEuropeanUnion(EU)hasprovidedfundingforvocationaltraining,students with disabilities, and the upgrading of educational infrastruc-turetocreatebetterlearningenvironments.Inmorerecentyears,educationinInformationandCommunicationTechnologies(ICT)hasbecomeafocusofEUinvestment.Countriesacross Europe have recognised the importance of preparing theirchildrenandyoungpeopleforadigital future–andKosovoisfol-lowingsuit.ThroughtheKosovoMinistryofEducation,ScienceandTechnology(MEST),theEUispromotinge-LearningandICTliteracythroughaEUR3-millionproject.Theinitiativebeganbysupplying40schoolsandeducationalinsti-tutionswith ICT equipment.Meanwhile, 2,000 classroom teacherswere trained in ICT and e-Learning protocols. Training was also given to e-Contentdeveloperstoensurecompatibilityofteachingmaterialandtextbooks.TeachersandstudentsthathaveusedthenewICTande-Learningequipmentintheclassroomsaythatinteractivepicturesandvideoshelptobringtopicsalive.“Nowitismucheasierforustounderstandthelessonsbecausetheyaremoreinterestingandattrac-tive,andtheissuesbeingtaughtareclearlyillustrated,”saysstudent, EngjellHamiti.

AmoderncurriculumframeworkBesidesthedigitalisation initiative, theEU ishelpingKosovocarryoutamoregeneralmodernisationofitseducationalsystem.Thanksto a EUR 3-million project, a Kosovo Curriculum Framework hasbeen introduced.Core-curriculasyllabusesarecurrentlybeingde-velopedbyMESTwith thesupportofexperts fromtheEUSectorWideApproach(SWAp)Educationinitiative.AccordingtoRamushLekaj,headoftheCurriculumDepartmentat MEST, EU support has helped to introduce modern methods of teachinginKosovo-inparticular,competency-basedandchild-cen-tred approaches to learning.

A European adventureForDiellzaKastrati,a9th-graderfromthevillageofKaraqevainKamenica,an11-daysightseeingtourthroughEuropewasalife-changingexperience.Togetherwithfourfellowstudentsfromherschool,shevisitedsomefamousEuropean cities, including Paris and Munich, as well as the EU institutions in BrusselsandLuxembourg.TheexperienceimprovedDiellza’salreadysoundtheoreticalknowledgeofEuropeanditshistory.

ThetourwastheprizeforDiellzaandherclassmatesforwinninganationalquiz for schools called the “Europe Quiz”. The quiz was devised in direct responsetoyoungpeople’sgrowinginterestintheEuropeanUnion.Twenty-fourschoolscompetedinthefirst“EuropeQuiz”,whichtookplacein2011.Diellzaandher“AvniRrustemi”teamwonthetrophy-andthechanceforagreat European adventure.

ThequestionsandanswersinthequizweredrawnfromatextbookentitledLet’sHeadtoEurope,producedanddistributedtocompetingschoolsbytheEuropeanUnionPerspective in Kosovo (EUPK). “This book has provokedstudents’curiosity to learnmoreaboutEurope,”saysRamushLekaj,whoheadstheCurriculumDepartmentatMEST.

TheMinistryisplanningtodistributethebooktoallprimaryschoolsinKosovobeforethestartoftheacademicyear2012-13.ItisalsoconsideringusingthebookasanoptionalpartofthecurriculumforGrade9.

GettingtoknowEuropethroughstudyopportunitiesThanks toaEU-fundedpostgraduateprogramme,agroupof222KosovostudentshavealreadybeengiventhechancetoexperiencebesteducationalpracticesinEUcountries.TheYoungCellsSchemeorganisesplacementsforKosovo postgraduate students at selected universities in Europe. The stu-dentsareboundtoworkinpublicadministrationontheirreturntoKosovo.

Around80percentofYoungCellsSchemegraduatescurrentlyworkforthegov-ernmentofKosovoatvariouslevels,bothinministriesandspecialisedagencies.TheaimoftheYoungCellsSchemeistowidentheexpertiseofcivilservantsinkeysectorsofKosovo’spublicadministration.Thegraduateswillbeableto use their first-hand knowledge of EU countries and policies to help the KosovogovernmentmeetitsobligationsduringtheEUIntegrationProcess.

Somequotesfromthe"EuropeQuiz"winners:

• "MydreamistostudyEuropeanarchitecture."• "Seeingand learningaboutEuropeancultureschangedmyopinion aboutEuropeforgood."• "IwasimpressedbytheEuropeanParliament."• "WehavelearnedmoreaboutpossibilitiestostudyinEurope."• "IamimpressedbyEuropeancitiesnowIhaveseenthem."

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MORE PLAY AND LEARN OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN

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Regular participation in sports and recreational activities brings children togetherandkeeps themhealthyandactive. Itcanalsohelptoshapethrivingandinclusivecommunities.Recognisingtheshortage of adequate sports and recreational facilities for youngpeople in Kosovo, the European Union has provided funding for theconstructionofnewsportsfields,playgrounds,andrecreationalcentresacrossthecountry.

The“YouthinMitrovicë/Mitrovica”initiativeisanexcellentexampleofthebenefitsofEUinvestment.Oneofthecityneighbourhoodsnowhasabrandnewsports facility.Therearenow regular foot-ballandbasketballmatches,andtennislessonsareofferedtolocalchildrenofallages.Thesitealsoincludesachildren’splayground.InappreciationoftheEUinvestment,themunicipalauthoritytakesprideinmaintainingthepremisestothehighestpossiblestandard.

A new Sports and Cultural Centre in the village of Llabjan/Labljane in themunicipalityofNovobërdë/NovoBrdo,wasalsomadepossiblebyEUfunding.Thisultra-modernfacilityincludesamulti-purposegamescourtforbasketball,handball,volleyball,andfootball,andcanaccommodateupto320spectators.TheCentrealsohousesaballetanddancestudio,andalibrary.

New sports fields and playgrounds have also been created inPrishtina/Priština, Peja/Peč, and Prizren. All these new facilities wereconstructedwithstrictadherencetoEUguidelinesonsafetyanddurability.

“Play4All”JuneisaspecialmonthoftheyearforthechildrenofKosovo.The“Play4All”Children’sFestivalencourageschildrenofallages to hit the streets of Prishtina/Pristina for a week of activi-ties, parades, and celebrations.

ThefestivalisaEU-fundedprojectimplementedbySOSChil-dren’sVillagesKosovoandtheCentreforVisualArtsMultime-dia.Nowinitsthirdyear,“Play4All”bringschildrentogetherfromalloverKosovototakepartincreativeworkshops,watchmovies,andattendtheatreandstreetperformances.Theaimistogiveyoungpeopleanopportunitytolearnthrougheduca-tionalandrecreationalactivities,aswellasachancetoexpresstheirownartistictalentsandcreativity.

The project is unique of its kind in Kosovo because it offers a largenumberof activities that involvechildren fromall socialgroups working together. The inclusion of children with disabili-ties or fromminority communities helps to foster confidencebetween future generations.

The“Play4All”Children’sFestivalhasbecomeatradition,andhasputKosovochildrenontheEuropeanmapwithaspecialnationaleventoftheirown.Whenthefestivalweekisover,chil-drencancontinuetotakepartinthevariousprize-winningcom-petitionsthattakeplaceinKosovothroughouttheyear.Forex-ample,in2011fiveschoolsreceivedinvestmentgrantsfromtheEUafterwinninganopencompetitionforideastoimprovetheenvironmentinpublicspaces.Prizeswerealsoawardedforthethreebestessaysonthetopic“Alettertomyselfinthefuture”.

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SUPPORTING RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE AND CULTURAL INITIATIVES

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SUPPORTING RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE AND CULTURAL INITIATIVES

Thecultural lifeandheritageofacountryarean importantpartof its national identity. They also offer an opportunity to de-velop tourism, and to involve local communities both socially andeconomically.

WithsupportandencouragementfromtheEuropeanUnion,Ko-sovo’sculturalprofile isnowbeingactivelydeveloped–bothata regional and European level. Besides funding various cultural activities, the EU is also assisting with the restoration of castles, monuments,andotherimportantheritagesites.Kosovoisregain-ing pride in its rich cultural heritage.

BeledijeThecityofPrizrenonthebanksoftheriverLumbardhihaslongbeenanimportanteconomicandculturalcentreinKosovo.Bel-edije, an18th-centurymansion, is aprominent landmark in thehistoricOldQuarterof thecityandafineexampleofKosovo’sarchitecturalheritage.During theOttomanEmpire,Beledijewasusedasamunicipaloffice.However,followingEU-fundedresto-rationworkin2011,ithasnowbecomethefirstculturalheritagetraining centre for the Balkan region.

The centre offers specialist training for builders and architects in the delicate techniques used to restore ancient buildings and monuments.Therearealsotrainingcoursesinotherfieldsofcul-turalactivity;forexample,museummanagementandtheconser-vation of ancient artefacts. Togenerate additional income,Bel-edije will also host cultural events for countries outside Kosovo.

WhilstKosovocurrentlyhasonlyalimitednumberofheritageex-perts, Vjollca Aliu, Head of the Cultural Heritage Division in the MinistryofCulture,anticipatesthattheBeledijecentrewillplayavitalroleindevelopingcapabilitiesinthissector.KujtimGashioftheculturesectionofPrizrenmunicipalityisalsooptimisticforthe

future:“Asaregionalcentre,Beledijeprovidesrealopportunitiesfor thedevelopment andconservationof our cultural heritage,” hesays.

RestoringtraditionalhousesinJunikFor hundreds of years the Albanian people of western Kosovousedtraditionalbuildingmethodstoconstructhousesoutofjuststone and wood. This ancient craft is no longer practised in Ko-sovotoday,andthemajorityoftheoldAlbanianstonebuildings(calledkullas)haveeitherbeendestroyed,orarefallingintodis-repair.

ThemunicipalityofJunikwasoncehometoover200kullasandmore than a dozen stonemills. Unfortunately the vastmajorityhavebeendemolishedover theyears–andwiththemmuchofJunik’sarchitecturalheritage.Todaythereareonlyaround20kul-lasstillstandinginJunik.

ThankstoEUfunding,thesefewremainingkullasarenowbeinggivenanewleaseoflife.Aprogrammeofrestorationworkisun-derwaytoconvertdamagedorderelictkullasintofullyfunctionalmodernbuildings.ThemayorofJunik,AgronKuçisays,“Whilstmodernconstructionmethodsarebeingusedtorestorethebuildings,greatcareisbeingtakentomaintaintheirtraditionalappearance.”

KullaeHoxhajveOneofJunik’soldAlbanianstonehouses–KullaeHox-hajve–hasbeenrestoredwithfinancialassistancefrom“BeautifulKosovo”, aEU-funded initiative set up to im-proveurban infrastructureandat thesametimeprovideemploymentforlocalpeople.

The inhabitants of Junik now have a brand new, three-storey librarywith capacity for thousandsofbooksandastaffof threefull-time librarians.Thekullacanalsobeusedasagalleryandforotherculturalevents.

Carpenter Ahmet Topaj, 58, carried out the final qualityinspectionofthewoodworkinthenewlyrenovatedkulla.Ahmethaslivedinasimilarbuildingformanyyears,andwas delighted to have helped in the restoration of this 200-year-old stone house for his community. “It was inaprettybadcondition.Ineverthoughtitcouldbeturnedintosuchalovelyspace,”hesaid.

This short-term project was welcome employment for Ahmet and 33 others workers from the area, who weremainlyselectedthroughthelocaljobcentre.

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DokufestTheInternationalDocumentaryandShortFilmFestival,Dokufest,isthemostrenownedandestablishedfilmfestivalinKosovo.ForoveradecadevisitorshaveflockedtothecityofPrizrentowatchnewfilmsanddocumentaries inthevarious indoorandoutdoorscreening venues.

The EU Office in Kosovo and the organisers of Dokufest have es-tablishedastrongcooperationtopromotehumanrightsthroughthe arts.During the 2012 festival, six documentaries about hu-man-rightsissueswereproducedwithEUfunding.Overtheyears,theEUhasalsofocuseditssupportonregionalculturalexchange. “TheEuropeanUnionhascontributed to thegrowthofthefestival,especiallybyhelpingustostrengthentheregional competition,” saysAlirizaArenliu, executive director ofDokufest.

Culture for allKosovo’sculturalidentityistakingshape.The“CultureforAll”ini-tiative,fundedbytheEUandimplementedbyvariousNGOs,hassofarpromoted30small-scale,nationwideprojects.Meanwhile,thegovernmentofKosovohasalsopledgedsupportforallcul-tural activities. IdeasfornewculturalactivitiesencourageaEuropeandimension.ValezaUkaj,ActingDirectorforEuropeanIntegrationandPolicyCoordinationattheMinistryofCulture,Youth,andSports,says:“The ‘Culture for All’ initiative not only raises awareness of theinternalculturaldiversityofKosovo,butalsoculturaldiversityinthe EU.”

Informationaboutnationwideculturalorganisationsandactivitieswillbecompiledintoa“culturalmap”tomakeiteasierforpeopletofindlocalornationalactivitiesthatinterestthem.

PromotingtourisminDukagjinIntheDukagjiniregionofWesternKosovo,anotherkullaisdestinedtobecomeacoordinatingofficefortourism.Thebuilding’ssuperblocationatthefootoftheGjeravicapeak(thehighestmountaininKosovoat2,656metres)makesitidealforthispurpose.

The”SeeyouinDukagjin”initiativeaimstorevitalisealongtradi-tionoftourismintheregion.Implementingpartner,CulturalHerit-ageWithoutBorders, sees tourismasan important tool for theeconomicgrowthandpreservationofculturalheritageinKosovo.Thenewtouristofficewillberunbyprofessionallytrainedstaffandprovide a first-class service for visitors to the region. The area’s many tourist attractions includeworld heritage sites, traditionalhouses,hammams,glaciallakes,andotherareasofoutstandingnaturalbeauty.

PristinaJazzFestivalUnliketherestofEurope,regularjazzeventsarehardtocomebyinKosovo.However,foroneweekofeachyearPristinabecomestheexcitinghuboftheuniverseforthecountry’sjazzlovers.ThePristinaJazzFesthasevolvedintooneofthemostimportantculturaleventsinKosovo.Since2005,jazzlovershaveflockedtothecityforsevendaysofjazzconcerts,jamsessions,andwork-shops.Forsome,thefestivalweekistheonlychancetheygettolistentolivejazzperformances.Promotingyoungartistsisakeyobjectiveofthefestival’sorganis-ers.TaulantMehmeti,a20-year-old jazzguitarist,performedhiscompositionsforthefirsttimeatthe2011Festival.“Itwasagreatfeelingtoplayinfrontofanaudiencethatappreciatesjazz,andweenjoyedit,”hesaid.“TheconcertsduringthefestivalareouronlyopportunitytoenjoylivejazzinKosovo,”headded.

Otherfeaturesthatmaketheeventsospecialforyoungjazzmu-sicians are theopportunities toplay in jamsessionswith inter-national artists, and the discussions of jazz-related issues during workshops.DirectorIlirBajrisaysthefestivalstressestheimpor-tanceofstimulatingartisticcollaborationandexchangebetweencountries and cultures.

Young creativesIn line with the EU trend of using creative approaches to critical thinking and writing, the NGO Integra has devised an interesting new idea for tackling social is-sues in Kosovo.

Young people are asked to produce a number ofquick-fire slogans on the subjects of education, cor-ruption, and European integration, amongst others.Thegroupsofyoungpeoplearegatheredtogethertodiscussandproducetheslogansinaseriesofmeet-ings.Oncetheyhaveexhaustedatopicanddecidedonaslogan,theymoveontothenextissue.

Thousands of slogans have been printed and distrib-uted in cities across Kosovo, and also given radio coverage. The slogans are designed to raise public awareness of various social concerns. One slogan reads“TheEUdreamiskillingme”–whichreferstothecomplexissuessurroundingKosovo–EUrelations;forexample, restrictions forKosovocitizenswantingto travel to the EU.If someone stops and spends few seconds thinkingabout the slogan and the issue it addresses, then the goalhasbeenachieved.“Thestyleoftheslogansarewitty,combinedwithasimplebutartisticdesign,”saysKushtrimKoliqi,DirectorofIntegra.Headds,“Thisisaninnovativeanduniqueformatfortacklingsocialis-sues. Itmakespeoplethink–butwearenotpartofthe solution.”

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ACHIEVING A EUROPEAN STANDARD FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

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Thereareapproximately40,000Roma,Ashkali,andEgyptian(RAE)peoplelivinginKosovotoday.Theseminoritycommuni-tiesarethepoorestandmostvulnerablesectorofsociety,witharangeofsocialproblemsthatincludeunemployment,inade-quatehousing,andlimitedaccesstoeducationandhealthcare.Improving the socio-economic wellbeing and protecting thehumanrightsofthesemarginalisedcommunitiesisthefocusofseveralinitiativesfundedbytheEuropeanUnion.

RomaMahallaOneexampleisRomaMahallainthesuburbsofMitrovica–anewdevelopment,builttore-housedisplacedRoma,AshkaliandEgyp-tianpeople fromnearbyrefugeecamps.The localauthoritiesallo-catedasiteforthedevelopment,andtheEUinvestedEUR5millionin the project.

Thenewneighbourhoodhas a complete urban infrastructure andeasyaccesstothecitycentre.“Wehaveprovidedafirst-classloca-tionforthishumaninitiative.TheRoma,AshkaliandEgyptiancom-munitiesenjoysthebestlivingconditionsbyfarcomparedtotherestoftheregion,oreventootherEuropeanUnioncountries,”saysAvniKastrati,MayorofMitrovica.

Seventy-one families from the communities have now moved toRomaMahalla.Onenewresident,SedatBahtiu,isgratefulthathisfamilycannowliveanormallife,andthathisfourchildrenhaveac-cesstofull-timeeducation.“Everythinghaschangedforthebetter,”hesays.“Onecannotcomparelifeinacampwiththehousewelivein now.”

AbrighterfutureforAvdylFive-year-oldAvdylspentthefirstyearsofhislifeinarefugeecampjustnorthofMitrovica.Althoughhelookslikeahealthyyoungboy,clinicaltestsrevealedexcessivelevelsofleadinhisbloodasaresultofleadcontaminationinthecamp.ButlifeisimprovingforAvdyl.HeandhisfamilywererecentlyrelocatedtoRomaMahalla,andheisnowreceivingappropriatemedicaltreatment.Avdyl’smedicalcare

ispartofawiderEU-fundedprojecttosupporttheresettlementofRoma,AshkaliandEgyptiancommunitiesfromthelead-contaminat-edcampsofOsterodeandCesminLug.Inaddition,theWorldHealthOrganization, in partnership with the Kosovo authorities, has adopted ascreeningandtreatmentprogrammeforchildrensufferingfromleadpoisoning.

Finding a vocationPartof theRoma,AshkaliandEgyptiancommunities reintegrationprocess isaprogrammeofvocationaleducationand training.Forexample,aprofessionalhairdresser inMitrovicaoffersapprentice-shipstoyoungmothersfromthecommunities.Sheseesrealcareerpotentialinsomeofthetrainees.FatimeJahirovic isoneof30womenwhoenrolledonthetrainingcourse.Shehasdonewell–andisnowlookingforwardtoacareerinhairdressing,andonedayowningherownbeautysalon.FatimeisamongthemanypeoplewhoreceivedEUgrants forvocationaltrainingandarealsoeligibleforgrantstofinancenewsmallbusinessventures.

EducationElsewhereinKosovotheEU,incooperationwiththeMinistryofEdu-cation,ScienceandTechnology(MEST),haveawarded220second-aryschoolanduniversityscholarshipstoRoma,AshkaliandEgyptianstudents.TheinitiativeispartofanActionPlanformedbytheMinistryofEuropeanIntegrationandtheEuropeanCommissiontopromotein-tegrationoftheRoma,AshkaliandEgyptiancommunities.Theultimateaimistorecruitmembersofthecommunitiesintothepublicsector,andthus increase their representation in civil processes and local decision-making.Improvedaccesstoeducationiscrucialtohelpmovethecom-munitiestowardsfullequalityinKosovosociety.

Safeguarding cultural heritageRaisingawarenessofRoma,AshkaliandEgyptiancul-ture and traditions can also help to enhance the status of theseminoritycommunities inKosovo.TheFesti-valofRoma,Ashkali,andEgyptianCulture,nowinitssecondyear, isanimportantcelebrationofthecom-munities’heritage.Duringthe2011and2012festivals,awiderangeofculturalevents,includingplays,mov-ies,concerts,poetry reading,photoexhibitions,wasstaged in Prishtinë/Priština, Prizren, and Mitrovicë/Mitrovica.

SuccessfulprogresstowardsEUmembershipwillde-pendonKosovo’s ability to ensure equal rights andopportunities for all its citizens. Specifically, safe-guardingthehumanrightsofminoritycommunitiesisanimportantchallengeforKosovosocietyasawhole.

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INITIATIVES FOR GREEN KOSOVO

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Capital investment in a range of infrastructure projects in Kosovohasmadeapositivedifference to thequalityof theenvironment.Cleanerair,soil,andwaterarehelpingtoimprovetheeverydaylivesofcitizens.

ImprovingwastemanagementThesevenyearsbetween2001and2008sawtheclosureandre-habilitation of 21 uncontrolled, hazardous landfill sites, and the con-structionofsixnewmanagedwaste-disposalplantsinmajorcitiesacrossKosovo.TheinvestmentwasgrantedbytheEuropeanUniontobringKosovo’swastemanagementsystemsintolinewithEUpoli-ciesonenvironmentalprotection,pollution,andtheprocessingandrecyclingofwaste.

ThisenvironmentalimprovementreceivedaboostwhentheEUalsofunded a project to close and rehabilitate eight further uncontrolled landfill sites in Prishtina/Priština, Ferizaj/Uroševac, Fushë Kosovë/ KosovoPolje,Gjakova/Đakovica,Kaçanik/Kaćanik, Kline/Klina, Lip-jan/Lipljan,andPodujevë/Podujevobytheendof2011.Construc-tion work to clean and cover the sites began in 2010. New drainage systems,groundwatermonitoringsystems,andbiogaswellswereinstalled, and the areas prepared for planting and landscaping.

AcleanercapitalcityThe enormous size of the uncontrolled landfill site in Prishtina/Prištinaforcedtheprojecttofocusmorethan40percentoftheworkand funding on this location. Pollution of the surrounding air, soil, andwater had reached such alarming levels that hundreds oflocal residentswereunable toopentheirwindows.Someevenmovedtoliveelsewhere.

Nowlocalpeoplehavereturnedtothearea.”Beforetheolddumpsitewasclosedwewereindailyriskofsuffocationfromthesmokecomingoutofthegarbage.Nowwehaveourlivesbackagain!”saysalocalinhabitantwholivesclosetothesite.ManagementofthenewplantwillbetransferredtothemunicipalityofPrishtinë/Priština.“Themunicipalityplanstolandscapethesitetocreateagreenspace for recreationalactivities,”saysMr.AgimGashi,Director of Public Services.

SewagetreatmentandwaterqualityEffective,sustainablesewagecollectionandtreatmentisacoreob-jectiveintheEU’senvironmentalpolicies.Existingsewagesystemsin Kosovo are inefficient and inadequate for current or future usage. The EU has identified an urgent need to upgrade this sector, and is investinginvariousinitiativesacrossthecountry.

Waterquality intheRiverKlinathatflowsthroughcentralKosovohassignificantlyimprovedsinceDecember2011.ThankstoEUin-vestment,themunicipalityofSkënderaj/Srbicanowhasanewsew-agetreatmentplantthatservesaround8,000inhabitants.Thenewsystemensuresthatonlyenvironmentallysafe,treatedwaterisdis-chargedintothenearbyRiverKlinaandsmallstreams.

Foursmallersewagenetworksand treatmentplantsarecurrentlyunderconstructioninKuk/Kukovce(Dragash/Dragaš),Skivjan/Skiv-jane (Gjakovë/Đakovica), Junik/Junik, andMedvec/Medvece (Lip-jan/Lipljan).Thenewplantswillservepopulationsvaryingfrom1,100to3,400inhabitants.Meanwhile,asurveyofsewagesystemsisbe-ingcarriedoutinsevenmajortownsandcities–includingPrishtina/Prishtina/Priština,wheresignificant investment isneeded tomeetthe needs of a growing population.

ForestryAround41percentofKosovo’s territory iscoveredbyforest. It is importanttoprotecttheseforests,whileatthesametimeensuringthattheforestrysectorplaysaroleinstrengtheningtheeconomy.

Kosovoiscommittedtoconservingitsforestsandpro-motingtheirpotential for tourism.EU-backedprojectsofferguidelinesforlocalauthoritiesonhowtomanagestate and privately owned forests and stimulate ruraldevelopmentaccordingtobestEuropeanpractices.

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SOWINGTHESEEDSFORRURALDEVELOPMENT

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Theagricultureindustryisregainingitspositionasamajoremployer.TheEuropeanUnionhastodateinvestedaroundEUR70milliontosupportagriculturalandruraldevelopment inKosovo.Partof theEUfundinghasbeenputtowardsestablishingregionaldevelopmentagencies,grantschemes,andtraining farmers inmodernagricul-turalmethods.

Morethan30farmersandmanysmall-andmedium-scaleruralen-terprises in Kosovo have now been introduced to European agri-cultural standards throughEU-fundedprojectsandexpert advice–leadingtoincreasedjobopportunitiesandprosperityacrossKo-sovo.Helpingfarmerstoincreasetheirproductionefficiencywillalsoplayacrucialroleinreplacingimportedfoodstuffswithhomegrownagricultural produce.

ModelfarmsManyofthegrant-sponsoredruralprojectsarerunbyNGOs.OneEU-funded project was entrusted to the Initiative for Agricultural DevelopmentinKosovo(IDAK),anNGOwithmorethan10years’experienceofsupportingtheagriculturesectorinnorthernKosovo.Fourmodel farmunits– for fruitprocessing,cattle farming,applegrowing,andgreenhousecultivation–wereestablishedunderIDAK’ssupervision.Themodelfarmsareusedtodemonstratemodernag-riculturalmethodsandtechnologies.“Manyfarmershavebenefitedfromthesedemonstrations,ascertaintechniqueswereunknowntothembefore,”saysIADKdirector,ZenelBunjaku.Farmersaresubsequentlyofferedtrainingbyfarmingassociations,incooperationwith IADK.Oneof the trainingcourses isspeciallytailoredtoteachwomenfruitandvegetableprocessingskills.Anewtrainingmanualforfarmerswillbepublishedinthenearfuture.

Bumpercrops!In the Mitrovica region, grant schemes and professional traininghaveproduced impressive results. In thevillageofÇaber/Čabra, justnorthofMitrovica,anew500-square-metregreenhouseunitcanbeseenfromadistance.Despitesub-zeroconditionsoutside,thetemperatureinsidethegreenhouseismaintainedataconstant25°Cto keep the spinach crops growing.

AhmetUka,42,nowusesnewcultivationmethodstopreparehisseedlings.“Agranthashelpedmetomaximiseproductionandgrowmybusiness.NowIharvestthreetimesayear, insteadofjustonce,”hesays.UkareturnedtoKosovoin2000aftermorethan20years’experi-enceoffarminginGermany.Afewyearsagohestartedsellingseed-lingstootherfarmers.Hehadinitialsalesofaround500seedlingsperyear.Thisyearheplanstosell20,000seedlings,withprojectedsalesof30,000peryearinthefuture.Mr.Ukaalsoproducedmorethan10tonsoftomatoesintheautumnof2011.

A new approach to distributionIn the fertile agricultural regions of southern Kosovo, a new fruit and vegetable collection and processing plant has been set up in the vil-lageofXerxe/Zrza.Anexistingbuildingwasrenovatedandequippedwithmodernweigh-ingmachines,refrigerators,andforklifttrucks.Nowproducefromlocalfarmsarrivesatthecollectionpointtobeselected,graded,packaged,andlabelledbeforebeingsentouttowholesalersorexported.TheplantservesasacollectionpointforfarmersfromtheregionsofRahovec/Orahovac,Mamusha/Mamuša,PrizrenandSuhareka/Suvareka,whogrowpeppers,tomatoes,cucumbers,grapes,andcabbages.Farmersnowknowthefinaldestinationoftheirproducebeforetheyevenplanttheseed. Theabilitytoplaninadvancehelpsfarmersminimisewastage,employlabourmoreefficiently,andthusimprovetheirrevenues.“Weusedtothrowawayleftoverfruitsandvegetableswhentherewerenobuyers.Thiscollectionpointgivesusconfidencethatallourproducewillbesold,”sayslocalfarmer,NebihMorina.Besidesfamiliarisingfarmerswiththenewconceptofacollec-tionpoint,specialtraininginmoderncultivationmethodsishelpingtoguaranteehigh-qualityproduce.Around200farmershavecompletedthetraining,andnowregularlysupplytheplant.TheprojectwasmadepossiblewithEU investment togetherwithasmallcontributionfromthelocalauthoritiesofRahovec/Orahovac.Theplantexpectstoprocessapproximately2,000tonsoffruitsandveg-etablesseasonally.Marketopportunitieshavealreadyopenedup,andtherearenewcontractswithregionalandEuropeanwholesalebuyers.

Smallgrants,bigimpactSmallgrantshavealsobeeninstrumentalinrevitalisingtheruraleconomyintheregionofPrizren.Thesecashinjectionshaveprovedinvaluableforsmallbusinessesandsmall-scalefarmers,helpingtoboosttheirproduc-tivityandcompetitivenessinthemarket.

FrommanualtoautomaticWineproducer,FlorimShulina,isaveryhappyman.Henolongerhastolabeleachbottleofwinebyhand!Situ-atedintheRahovecregion,famousforitshigh-qualitywines, Shulina’s business received a boost when a EU grantsuppliedhimwithanautomaticlabellingmachine.

“Itusedtotakeusalldayjusttolabelfewcratesofwine.Now it’samatterofseconds,”hesays.His “Shulina”winescannowmeetmarketneedsinsufficientquantity–andhenolongerhastoworrywhetherthelabelsarethewrongwayround!

Bees:turningapassionintoabusinessIt is March, and in the village of Mirditë just outside Priz-ren, beekeeper Ndue Nokaj is opening his hives for the firsttimein2012.Heneedstocheckthatthebeesarehealthyafterthelong,freezingwinter.

Thisyearhewillcollectmorehoneythanusual.“Agranthashelpedmetoincreasethenumberofhivesjustatthe rightmoment,” saysMr. Nokaj,who supports hisfamily through his passion for beekeeping. The grantschemehasalsoprovidedbeehivemaintenancetrain-ingforNokajandmanyotherbeekeepersintheregion.

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UPGRADING KOSOVO’S INFRASTRUCTURE

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Since1999apressingneedtoupgraderoads,airports,railwaynetworks,hospitalbuildings,watersupplynetworks,andsew-agesystemshasmadecapital investmentininfrastructureahighpriorityinKosovo.

The creation of amodern infrastructure is essential for Ko-sovo’seconomicgrowth.TheEuropeanUnion issupportingprojects tohelpKosovoupgrade its infrastructureandmeetEuropean standards.

ImprovingroadtransportTheEUhasallocatedEUR50millionfortheimprovementoftheroadnetworksalone.Todatearound300kilometresofmainhighwaysand30localby-roadshavebeenrepairedorreconstructedacrossKosovo.

Amajorprojectwasthereconstructionof17bridgesontheM2–amajorarterialroadthatconnectsKosovowiththeformerYugo-slav Republic of Macedonia. The bridges were strengthened and repaired in accordance with the Eurocode Standards required for heavytrafficandmilitaryvehicles.

Recentimprovementsinthequalityoftheroadshaveincreasedop-portunitiesforeconomicdevelopmentandcreatedbetterconditionsfor cross-border cooperation. In addition, easier access to towns andcitieshasenhancedthequalityoflifeforruralpopulations.Asanotherpositivespin-off,theroadworkshaveprovidedemploymentforcountlesspeople–andgiventhemtheopportunitytoupgradetheirskillsinlinewithEuropeanconstructionandsafetystandards.

A new healthcare centreInNovember2011,anewhealthcarecentrewasopenedinVushtrri/Vučitrn.Thefacilityservesmorethan100,000localinhabitants,andwasfinancedbytheEUatacostofaroundEUR800,000.

Thenewcentreofferscomprehensivehealthcareservices; forex-ample,anaccidentandemergencydepartment,X-rayfacilities,andmicrobiologylaboratories,plusclinicsforpaediatrics,obstetricsandgynaecology,generalmedicine,anddentistry.Therearealsostudentdoctors’rooms,nurseryrooms,andspaciousadministrativeoffices.ConstructionofthecentrewasinstrictcompliancewithEuropeanbuilding standards, which include suitable access and internal facili-ties for disabled people. The building has also been fitted with solar panelstomakeitenergyefficient.

Peoplearedelightedwith theirnew,user-friendlyhealthcarecen-tre.Patients likethecomfortablewaitingroomsandtheclearsig-nagethatdirectsthemtothevariousdepartments.Fifty-six-year-oldAsllanneedsregularmedicalcheck-upsforhischronicrespiratorydisease. He is relieved to have the new centre close at hand and enjoysthewarmreceptionhereceivesonhisvisits.

WatersupplynetworksOtherinfrastructureprojectshavefocusedonimprovingwatersup-plynetworksandsewagesystems.TheEUhasinvestedanoveralltotalofEUR60milliontorehabilitateandextendwatersupplynet-works across Kosovo.

Twomillioneurosofthisfundingwerespentonreplacingtwokilo-metresofagingwaterpipesinPrishtinë/Priština.Theresultshaveimprovedwaterquality,reducedwaterlosses,andincreasedwatercapacityforanestimated70percentofcitydwellers.

AnotherEUR13-millionprojectisworkingtorehabilitateandextendwater supply networks and upgrade thewater-treatment plant inMitrovica.Theplantservesfourmunicipalitieswithatotalof250,000inhabitants,andhasdoubledtheprocessingcapacitysinceitscom-pletion in 2012.

ImprovingwaterqualityThe National Institute for Public Health received a set of newlaboratoryequipmentfortestingwaterquality.ThedonationcamefromtheEUfollowingrecommendationsfromafeasibilitystudyonpublichealthinKosovo.Otherrecommendationsincludedinvestmentforrefurbishingtreatmentplantsandpumpingstations,andinstallationofwatermeters.

“People have always been aware of public health is-sues, but EU projects are helping us to adopt European standardsforpublichealth,”saysBurbuqeNushi-Latifi,ChiefoftheWater–SanitaryDepartmentattheNationalInstitute for Public Health.

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DEVELOPING A CONSCIENCOUS USE OF ENERGY

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Kosovo’senergysectorcontinuestofacedifficultchallenges.With low energy production and high energy consumption,powercuts inKosovoare routine.Historically, thecountry’smain sourceof energyhasbeen its indigenouscoalmines.However,thesehaveneareddepletioninrecentyears.

OneofKosovo’skeyobjectivesistoreduceenergyconsump-tionbyninepercentby2018.Increasedenergyefficiencyisavitalpartoftheoverallplan.AEUEUR2-millionprojectissup-portingthetrainingandcertificationof55energyauditorswhowillidentifypotentialforenergy-efficientmeasures.Theprojectalsoincludesapubliccampaigntoencourageenergysavingandtheuseofrenewableenergyresources.

TheEnergyCommunityTreatyKosovoispartoftheregionalEnergyCommunityTreatythatseekstoincorporate south-eastern countries of Europe into the wider European energymarket.TheaimsoftheTreatyaretoincreaseinvestmentinthesector,and thusenhanceplanningcapabilitiesand improve the reli-abilityofregionalenergysupplies.IncompliancewithEUenergyandenvironmentlegislation,anagreementtocutenergyconsumptionandimproveenergyefficiencyinKosovowassignedinNovember2011.

In linewiththeagreement, theEU isprovidingtechnicalsupport fora new heat-production system in Prishtinë/Priština. This innovativesystemusestheby-productheatfromcoal-poweredgeneratorsthatwouldnormallybereleasedintotheair.Prishtinë/Prištinapublicdistrictheatingcompanywillbeabletodeliversustainableheatingtothepopu-lationofPrishtinë/Prištinathroughintegrated,fuel-efficienttechnology.

ComfortintheclassroomImprovingenergyefficiencyinpublicbuildingsisanothermajorchal-lengeinKosovo.Witharound2,500students,IsmailQemajliisoneofthe largestelementaryschools inPrishtinë/Priština.Until recentlytheschool’swinterfuelbillsconstitutedamajorpartofitsannualexpendi-ture.However,despitethishugefinancialoutlaystudentsandteacherswereforcedtowearcoatsintheclassroomstokeepwarm.ThankstoEUinvestmentIsmailQemajlischoolisnotonlywarmerbutmoreenergyefficient.Thebuildinghasbeenfittedwithnewdoorsandwindowsandthewallsandroofhavebeenproperlyinsulated.Anewsetofsolarpanelscontributesalow-costenergyinput.Theoptimumtemperature indoors is nowconstant throughout thebuilding – andstudents and teachers are at last able to concentrate on their lessons, ratherthanthecold!

Sincerefurbishment,theschoolhasreduceditsenergyconsumptionbymorethan50percent,anditsCO2emissionsbyabout260tons.“Ourenergyexpenseshavedroppedbyalmostahalf,”saystheschoolvice-director,BajramVrapçani,addingthattheschoolrequiresheatingforamuchshorterperiodthankstoimprovedinsulation.

Similarenergy-savingmeasureshavebeencarriedoutinanotherschoolinPristina,aswellastwomoreschoolsinGjakovë/Đakovica,andthematernitywardoftheGjilan/Gnjilaneregionalhospital.Notonlywillthenewrefurbishmentsimprovelevelsofcomfortforthebuildings’occu-pants,energyconsumptionisexpectedtodropbyatleast40percent,with a significant reduction in CO2emissions.

AnewmineinSibovcTheEUhasrespondedtoanapplicationfromtheKo-sovoauthoritiestoopenanewcoalmineinSibovcvil-lage.Thenewminehaspotential toprovidesufficientcoaltorunexistingpowerplantswhencurrentsuppliesrunout.Theinitiativeincludesupdatingexistingminingmachinery–ameasurethatwillimprovesafetyandin-creaseexcavationcapacitybyanestimated50percent.

“TheSibovcMineisthebiggestenergyprojectinKoso-vooverthelasttwodecades.Theminehasanexploit-ablecapacityof124million tonsofcoal,”saysArbenGjukaj,ManagingDirectorofKosovoEnergyCorpora-tion(KEK).

TheprojectwasvaluedatoverEUR17millionandhasbeenco-sponsoredbytheKosovoBudget.Itisantici-patedthatthenewminewillhelptostabiliseelectricitysuppliesandimprovelivingconditionsforthepeopleofKosovo.Itwillalsoprovideanattractiveopportunityforinvestors both in and outside the region.

Usingthenewlyrefurbishedmachinery,theinitialphaseofworktoremovesoilfromthesurfaceofthesitewasstarted in 2011.

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INSTILLING CONFIDENCE IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

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Administrativereformisacontinuousprocess–andusuallyfraughtwithdifficulties.Kosovocurrentlyhasalargenetworkofadministrativebodies whose costs far outstrip their allocated budgets. As a first step towardsstimulatingsocio-economicprosperity,thepublicadministra-tioninKosovoneedstoimproveitsefficiencyandaccountability,cutinternalcosts,andprovideamoreeffectivepublicservice.

PublicprocurementThe EuropeanUnion is helping Kosovo’s administration to becomemore familiarwith European legislative processes, and to carry thisknowledgeandexpertiseintoitsownpolicymaking.

InOctober2011theKosovoAssemblyadoptedanewPublicProcure-mentlaw,thusmarkingtheendofa10-yearEUcampaigntoencour-agereforminthissector.Thenewlegislationisdesignedtoensureef-ficient and transparent use of public funds, plus and proportional use ofresources.Tighteningthepublicprocurementprocesseswillhelpinthefightagainstcorruption,andpavethewaytowardseconomicandpoliticalstabilityinKosovo.

TheEUhasalsofocusedspecialattentiononlocalgovernment,whichisresponsibleforfront-linepublicservicedelivery.TheEuropeanCoop-erationforStrongerMunicipalitiesisaEUprojectthataimstostrengthentheeffectivenessoflocalgovernmentadministrationsinKosovo.ManymunicipalitieshavenowsetupEUcoordinationoffices.However,muchmorestillneedstobedonetoimproveservicesforlocalcitizens.

Supporting the Auditor ContinuedsupportfortheOfficeoftheAuditorGeneral(OAG)isan-otherEUpriorityinthedrivetoimprovemanagementofpublicfundsin Kosovo.

WithhelpandguidancefromMemberStatesexperts,thelegalframe-workoftheOAGhasbeenreformed.Previouslyunderthesoleauspic-esofUNMIK,ithasnowbecomeanationalinstitution.Moreover,therehasbeensignificantimprovementinthemanagement,administrative,and auditing skills of OAG officials. The OAG is now able to deliver high-qualityreports–ontime!ThepublicnowhasabetterunderstandingofthefunctionoftheOAG,andithasbecomeawell-respectedorganization.

A new CensusThe first national Population and Housing Census for three decades wasconductedinKosovoduringApril2011.Censusdataisanimpor-tanttoolformanysectorsofsociety,includingbusinesses,internationalorganisations,researchandacademicinstitutions–andmostespecial-lyforpolicymakersatmunicipalandgovernmentlevel.The2011Cen-suswillprovideasnapshotofmodernKosovoandthesocio-economicprofile and housing conditions of its inhabitants.

Ateamof27censusexpertsfromtheInternationalMonitoringOpera-tionmonitoredtheCensustoensurethatitmetprofessionalstandardsofquality,transparency,andimpartiality.TheEUprovidedEUR3.8mil-liontofundtheprocess.“TheexpertiseprovidedbyEUovertheyearshas been essential to obtain statistics according to international stand-ards,”says IsaKrasniqi,ExecutiveChiefof theStatisticalAgencyofKosovo.“TheAgencyhascollectedtrustworthydatathatcanbeusedbothdomesticallyandoutsideKosovo.”

AccuratedemographicdataforthepopulationofKosovowillinfluencegovernmentplanningandpolicymakingoverthenextdecade.Itwillalso update statistical data for Kosovo in EUSTAT and other data agen-cies worldwide.

A positive spin-off from the Population and HousingCensus has been a better understanding of the needs of disabled people in Kosovo.

Support for thedisabled isadministeredby thePrimeMinister’s Office for Good Governance, which has been responsibleforimplementinganationalActionPlanondisabilitysince2009.

The Census questionnaire included a list of chronic diffi-cultieslikelytobeexperiencedbydisabledpeople.Par-ticipantswereaskedtotickaboxbesideanythatmightapply to them individually. The results highlighted thecrucial importance of allocating resourceswhere theyaremostneeded,andcalledforacompleterevisionofthePlan’sexistingpolicies.

TheItaliangovernmentissupportingimplementationofthenewDisabilityActionPlan.“DatafromtheCensuswill be critical for redefining the policies and services forpeoplewithdisabilities,”saysDoloresMattossovich,manager of a project supporting theKosovoNationalDisabilityActionPlan.

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REBUILDINGCONFIDENCEINTHERULEOFLAW

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TheruleoflawinKosovoisfightingtoretaincredibility.Widespreadreformsarecrucialtobringthecountry’sjusticesystemintolinewithEuropean standards. The European Union is helping to achieve this endbyassistinginthedraftingofnewlaws,contributingcapitalin-vestmentforlegalinfrastructure,andsupportinganewapproachtothe selection and vetting of judges and public prosecutors.

Screening legal candidatesDevising new procedures that scrutinise the professional and ethical standardsofmembersofthejudiciaryhasbeenamajorachieve-mentofjointeffortbetweentheEU,theUnitedStatesgovernment,and the legal institutions of Kosovo. More than 300 candidates for appointmenttothejudiciarywereputthroughanewvettingsystem.Theyincludedexistingjudgesandpublicprosecutorsandfirst-timeapplicants.

Thecandidatessatanexamonlegalcodesofethics.Onlythosethatpassedtheexamwereeligibletoapplyforoffice.Investigationswere then carried out to check the background of each candidate. Thiswasfollowedbyin-depthinterviews,andareviewoftheperfor-mancerecordofeachindividual.

Attheendoftheselectionprocess,some60percentofthesuccess-fulcandidateswerenewtooffice–thusinjectingvitalnewbloodintoKosovo’sjudiciary.Thewholeprocedurewasco-financedbytheEUandtheUSgovernmentatacostofnearlyEUR5.9million.

Raising standardsEuropeanstandardsoflegalobjectivitywereappliedaspartofthevetting procedure. “Above all, clear evidence of transparent and ob-jectivestandardsandproceduresisvitallyimportanttorestorethe

credibilityofthejusticesystem,”saysMusaDragusha,PresidentoftheChamberofAdvocates.He feelsoptimistic that thisstringentvettingofthejudiciarywillgivethecitizensofKosovomoreconfi-dence to take their cases to court.

Submitting judges and public prosecutors to closer professionalscrutinyhasalsobeenwelcomedby theAnti-CorruptionAgency.“The judiciaryhasbeen themostcriticisedbranchofadministra-tivepower,anditisimportanttorestoreitscredibility,”saysMen-torBorovci,theAgency’sdeputyHead.TheAnti-CorruptionAgencyhas referred several cases to the Prosecutor’s Office in the past. However, few resulted in prosecutions.

On-going trainingStrengthening the judiciary is a continuous process. Judges andpublicprosecutors(bothcurrentandaspiring)areexpectedtopar-ticipateinregularinternshipsandtrainingcoursestoimprovetheirexpertise.SpecialemphasisisplacedonissuessurroundingfutureEUintegrationandEuropeanlawsonhumanrightswheretheyapplytowomenandminoritygroups.

Meanwhile legal publications are being developed through the Ko-sovoLawCentretofillthegapinexistingresourcesinthearea.Lawswillbepublishedalongsidebulletinsofcourtjudgments.Thereformstakingplaceintheruleoflawsectorareunquestionablymovingthejudiciaryintherightdirection.

ReformingthejuvenilejusticesystemThe Juvenile Justice Reform Project is a joint EU–UNICEFinitiativethatisworkingtobringaboutreformsintheJuvenileJusticeCode. Itaimsto improvetreat-ment for children that brush up against the law, andbring current procedures up to European and interna-tional standards for juvenile justice.

Theprojectplacesspecialemphasisontrainingthoseindirectcontactwithchildrenatrisk;forexample,teach-ers, social workers, and police officers. It is also press-ing the judicial authorities to develop specific referral protocolsforthelegalrepresentationandtreatmentofchildren during arrest or prosecution.

Themeasures for reformwillfillan institutionalgap inthe legaldirectives for treatmentof juvenileoffenders,victims,orwitnesses tocrime.Child-friendly interviewroomshavebeensetupinpolicestationsinPrishtinë/Priština, Prizren, Pejë/Peč, Vushtrri/Vučitrn, Gjilan/Gnjilane, Ferizaj/Uroševac,andGraçanicë/Gračanica.

AnewPalaceofJusticeUpgrading the legal infrastructure is one of the princi-ple challenges of the sector. Construction work is cur-rentlyunderwayforanewPalaceofJusticeinPrishtinë/Priština to provide adequate premises for the judicialauthorities and enhance their independent status.

Upgrading services and reducing the backlog of cases willhelptoimproveconfidenceinthejudiciary.TheEUisalsocommissioningandfundingtheconstructionofaHighSecurityPrison.

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Top Ten European Chances of KosovoISBN 978-92-9238-100-4DOI10.2871/45286

Copy-writer:Veton Kasapolli

Copy-editor:Harriet Milles

Designandlayout:FlorimMehmeti

Photographs:AstritIbrahimi

Copyright:EuropeanUnionOfficeinKosovo

Reproductionisallowedifinformationaboutthesourceisgiven.

Translationandprint:EUOfficeinKosovo,2013.