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Voices from our local partners in Kosovo

Kosovo
Sustainable agriculture, Sustainable tourism
28.11.2024
Since 2017, Swisscontact through the Promoting Private Sector Employment (PPSE) project’s collaboration with local partner Organika has been pivotal in transforming organic sector in Kosovo, fostering sustainable growth and positioning Organika as a key driver of development. Through this partnership, Organika has positioned itself as a sector leader, facilitated access to premium export markets, branding Kosovo as a producer of high-quality organic Medicinal Aromatic Plants (MAPs) and Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs). With Organika now in the driving seat, the focus is on sustaining growth and driving independent innovation in the industry.
Faton Nagavci, Executive Director of Organika Association 
"Collaborating with Swisscontact has greatly enhanced our capacity to support organic operators and service providers in Kosovo. Together, we’ve facilitated the growth of certified organic operators from just 2 to over 40, enabling us to promote Kosovo’s organic products abroad with stronger impact. This partnership aligns seamlessly with Organika’s mission to empower members and to lead the organic certification process. Within the next five to seven years, we aim for certified organic products to make up the majority of our exports. With Swisscontact’s technical support, we have achieved milestones we couldn’t reach alone. "
Faton Nagavci, Executive Director of Organika Association 
Shpëtim Lajqi, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Prishtina  
"Over the past two years, in collaboration with the PPSE project, we have made substantial progress in enhancing our expertise in the safety of tourism products. This partnership came as a natural step after PPSE’s decade-long commitment to advancing Kosovo’s tourism industry, where PPSE has consistently promoted and co-financed the development of diverse sustainable tourism offerings. Through this continued partnership, we have been able to create and enforce essential legislation that governs the design, construction, and inspection of key tourism assets—such as zip lines, via ferratas, and adventure parks—in alignment with European standards. By building local capacities through this cooperation, Kosovo is now equipped not only to develop and maintain these tourism products but also to export related services to neighbouring countries. "
Shpëtim Lajqi, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Prishtina  
Lulzim Shamolli, Department of Rural Development Policy, MAFRD 
"Through a dedicated budget for greenhouse grants, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD) has supported farmers in expanding production. However, measuring the impact of these initiatives posed challenges. With PPSE’s support, we developed a platform to assess the economic impacts of greenhouse grants directly from farmers’ data, enabling us to make data-driven decisions. Recognising the platform’s value, MBPZhR now aims to use it to measure the impact of other programs as well. This cooperation with PPSE allows us to enhance transparency and build trust with local producers."
Lulzim Shamolli, Department of Rural Development Policy, MAFRD 
2021 - 2025
Kosovo
Entrepreneurial ecosystems, Sustainable tourism
Promoting Private Sector Employment
Kosovo has grown moderately at an average rate of 4% in the last few years (pre-COVID 19) and is constantly facing growing labour force, while the labour market falls short of generating the jobs needed to absorb the new entrants (around 30,000 annually). Formal employment makes around 75% of the overall employment, with public sector accounting for 25% of formal jobs. Youth, women, and minorities (particularly the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian) remain the most excluded groups. The COVID-19 pandemic did not spare Kosovo’s economy from its devastating impact.
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