Sida's work in Kosovo
Around a fifth of Kosovo's population lives in poverty, making the country one of the poorest in Europe. Sidas development cooperation strengthens human rights, democracy and sustainable development to create the conditions for the young country to move closer to the EU.
Why does Sida work in Kosovo?
Obstacles on the road to EU membership
There is strong popular support and a political will to join the EU, and Kosovo has applied for membership. But a lack of rights, inadequate environmental protection and corruption stand in the way of the country’s development and EU accession. Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, which has yet to recognise Kosovo as an independent state, are also an obstacle for both parties as the EU requires good relations between member states.
Poverty and low employment
Around one fifth of Kosovo’s population is living in poverty, and the labour market is characterised by low participation and high unemployment, especially among women, young people and minorities. At the same time, the informal sector is very large. Informal work leaves workers without social safety nets and makes them vulnerable to exploitation and unsafe working environments. Women and minority groups, such as people with disabilities and LGBTI people, also face discrimination.
Major environmental challenges
Kosovo faces major environmental problems. Almost all electricity is produced in coal power plants, leading to unhealthy air quality. Wastewater management is inadequate and there is a complete lack of waste disposal facilities. The environmental administration is weak and environmental issues continue to be a low priority both politically and with the public.
Examples of what Sida has contributed to
Kosovo closer to EU membership
Sida contributes to carrying out improvements and developing the country’s authorities, which is an important prerequisite for membership. The work is carried out, among other things, through cooperation between authorities in Kosovo and Sweden. For example, cooperation between the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and its Kosovo counterpart has enabled the establishment of a portal for the collection and dissemination of environmental data, which meets the requirements of the European Environment Agency.
More jobs and a better working environment
Sida has facilitated access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises through its support to the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund (KCGF) and the Fostering Employment and Growth Opportunities (FEGO) project, among others. This helps them to expand their business and employ more people, which creates many jobs and plays a crucial role in the country’s economic development. Sida has also helped to strengthen compliance with labour laws for a better working environment. For example, the International Labour Organization (ILO) provides training for the health and safety inspectorate and its inspectors, as well as modern equipment to make inspections more efficient.
Strengthening the influence of civil society in political decisions
Sida’s support to the Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF), among others, has increased the participation of civil society in political decisions. The KCSF supports civil society organisations, for example, by funding various small and medium-sized organisations’ initiatives, and providing general and thematic training. For example, the programme has contributed to strengthening the rights of children with disabilities and their families, by enabling the participation of civil society organisations in the drafting of a new law covering this group.
Sida's development cooperation in Kosovo
Sida’s development cooperation supports and contributes to the country’s efforts to move closer to the EU, in cooperation with, among others, Swedish and Kosovan authorities and the private sector. Sida supports projects and programmes that strengthen human rights and promote the country’s democratic and economic development. All projects include a gender equality perspective.
In Kosovo, Sida contributes to strengthening democracy, increasing respect for human rights and strengthening gender equality. Here are examples of projects that Sida supports:
Through the DEMOS programme, Kosovo’s municipalities can strengthen their democratic governance, increase transparency in politics and provide citizens with improved services and increased opportunities to influence local development. Through Sida’s support to the Association of Kosovo Municipalities (AKM), elected officials in Kosovo’s municipalities are offered training in public administration and gender equality.
Civil society organisations and their visibility have improved in recent years. Sida cooperates with, among others, the Community Development Fund (CDF), which supports civil society organisations and works to improve working conditions and strengthen services for people with mental health problems. Support to the Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF) has increased civil society participation in political decisions.
Through the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP), Sida is contributing to strengthening the anti-corruption framework, including the disclosure of assets and financing of political bodies. The digital platform Kallxo has been developed through Sida’s support as a clear entry point for whistleblowers and the number of reported cases is steadily increasing. The cases received by Kallxo are often covered by the media, raising awareness of corruption. The programme also supports the Government of Kosovo in the development of a new anti-corruption strategy. Sida also supports the Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI), which works to increase public integrity and accountability by promoting citizen activism in the fight against corruption.
Sida supports the Centre for Equality and Liberty (CEL), which works to strengthen the rights and well-being of LGBTI people, including by offering legal and psychological support. Support to the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) provides people from ethnic minority groups, who often live in vulnerability, with improved opportunities for education and thus for decent employment. Through inter-agency cooperation between the Swedish Gender Equality Agency and its counterpart in Kosovo, Sweden is helping to develop and strengthen the gender equality authority in Kosovo in areas such as coordination and follow-up.
Despite more than 20 years passing, Kosovo still suffers from the effects of the Balkan war. Infected relations with Serbia are an obstacle to reconciliation as well as Kosovo’s EU accession. Sida supports projects that contribute to reconciliation and understanding between different ethnic groups. Here are some examples:
Many people went missing during the war in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. In Kosovo and Bosnia, 1,700 people are still missing. Through the International Commission for Missing Persons (ICMP), Sida supports efforts to identify missing persons. This is difficult but important work to ensure the right to truth and justice for the relatives. The ICMP works together with Kosovo Albanian and Serbian families to promote understanding of history and reconciliation between the groups.
Sida supports Cultural Heritage without Borders – Kosovo, which works to ensure that people in minority groups are more involved in society. This is done, among other things, by increasing knowledge of history, which contributes to reconciliation. Residents of the municipalities covered are also involved in restoring cultural heritage that has historical links to many different ethnic groups.
Sida contributes to reconciliation and increased understanding between people from different ethnic groups in the north, including by supporting the EJA programme through the Kosovo Civil Society Foundation (KSCF) and the Danish Refugee Center (DRC), which aims to stimulate increased income and employment, but also increase knowledge about conflict resolution in the Mitrovica region.
Sida supports projects to improve the country’s many environmental challenges and adapt Kosovo’s environmental legislation in line with EU directives. The support also contributes to increase the protection of biodiversity and improve the management of natural areas. Here are some examples of projects Sida supports:
In Kosovo, illegal deforestation is a major environmental problem. Through the organisation Connecting Natural Values with People (CNVP), Sida supports local forestry associations that organises rural people for sustainable and decentralised forestry.
Through a collaboration between the Kosovo and Swedish Environmental Protection Agencies, Sida is helping to improve the conditions for Kosovo to fulfil the EU’s environmental criteria. This includes increased knowledge of biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. The cooperation also strengthens the collection and communication of environmental data, for reporting to the EU and improved documentation. Sida supports further cooperation between protection agencies via Save the Children Sweden, which strengthens the child rights perspective in environmental issues.
Sida supports the USAID Kosovo Adapt Activity, which works to facilitate the green transition of Kosovan companies. The project aims to promote investment in green technology, thereby reducing the country’s energy use and emissions. The project works primarily with the private sector, but also with the public sector, civil society and research organisations across Kosovo.
Despite increased economic growth in recent years, Kosovo is still characterised by significant unemployment and poverty. Sida supports projects that contribute to economic development and job creation, as well as improving working conditions and strengthening the position of women in the labour market. Support also focuses on increasing Kosovo’s opportunities for trade with Sweden and other European countries. Here are some examples of projects that Sida supports:
Together with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Community Development Fund (CDF) and other local organisations, Sida is working to improve people’s working conditions and make work safer. This includes promoting awareness of labour rights, providing modern equipment to health and safety inspectorates, and training on issues such as the right to adequate protection and workwear. Through the ILO, various stakeholders are trained in dialogue, to strengthen communication between employers, workers and government. Gender equality has a special place, and a gender perspective must permeate all training provided.
Sida’s cooperation with the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund (KCGF) is strengthening access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which create many jobs and play a crucial role in the country’s economic development. Sida has issued a guarantee specifically targeting women entrepreneurs, green transition and export businesses.
Sida cooperates with the organisations Swisscontact and Connecting Natural Values with People (CNVP), which support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. The projects are expected to contribute to increased growth in these companies and thus to more jobs, including for women and young people who are currently under-represented on the labour market.
The Swedish government has decided to phase out the strategy. It will be completed by June 30, 2026. A new joint strategy for Eastern Europe, Western Balkans and Türkiye will be announced during 2025.
Updated: February 12, 2025