UNSC Resolution 1244-Administrated Kosovo - EU-Funded Programmes Support Minority Groups- The IOM office in Prishtina has signed an agreement with the European Commission Liaison Office to initiate an ambitious programme to improve the socio-economic circumstances of vulnerable minority groups, including ethnic Serbs and members of Kosovo’s Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian (RAE) communities.

This 18-month, 1, 9 million euro initiative is part of the EU Community Stabilisation Programme. It will also seek to address the needs of the Albanian minority community living in those municipalities with a predominantly Serbian population.

This initiative will be carried out in 27 of the 38 municipalities, including the most recently formed municipalities of Gracanica, Kllokot and Ranilug, where minority groups are particularly affected by unemployment and poverty.

With unemployment rates among minority communities fluctuating between 60 to 80 per cent, their socio-economic needs, especially among the young, remain considerable.

Working closely with municipal officials and local partners as well as with the Ministry of Community and Returns and the Ministry Labour and Social Welfare, the programme will seek to offer financial and technical assistance to aspiring entrepreneurs and support on-going or start-up ventures.

Financial and technical support will also be granted to local associations, both business and agricultural, and community driven projects such as rehabilitating water supply networks, renovating schools and cultural centres.

Current programme activities build upon previous efforts of the IOM, the EC and the Government of Kosovo to improve the social and economic conditions of vulnerable minority groups in Kosovo.

Between 2002 and 2008, a total of 1,110 projects were completed, creating some 2,900 full-time and 1,315 part-time jobs.

For further information: International Organization for Migration