Kosovo
Kosovo characterized by a diverse landscape of mountains, valleys, and plains is situated in Southeastern Europe, in the central Balkans. A landlocked country with borders to Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, and North Macedonia that grapples with significant socio-economic challenges.
We Effect is deeply committed to addressing these multifaceted challenges in Kosovo. Through our programs, we prioritize strengthening civil society and advocating for sustainable livelihoods, sustainable livestock sector, gender equality, socio-economic empowerment, environment and climate change resilience currently through our two member-based organizations. Our initiatives empower women in agriculture and in general, promoting their roles as key stakeholders in environmental conservation and sustainable farming practices.
Approximately 23% of Kosovo’s population lives in poverty, compounded by high unemployment and a persistent migration issue, particularly among youth disenchanted with traditional sectors like agriculture and livestock breeding. Environmental concerns loom large, reflected in Kosovo’s vulnerability to climate risks and environmental degradation. Gender disparities persist, underscored by the Gender Inequality Index, which highlights inequities in education, employment, and healthcare access. Kosovo’s unresolved political status and complex relations with Serbia further hinder its development and regional stability.
We Effect in Kosovo engage in advocacy and lobbying efforts aimed at improving the economic prospects mostly of the livestock farmers, ensuring they have access to resources, markets, and policies that support their livelihoods. By fostering dialogue, building capacity, and promoting sustainable practices, We Effect aims to contribute to Kosovo’s socio-economic resilience and environmental sustainability, paving the way for inclusive development and prosperity.
We Effect Europe works in Kosovo is part of the multi-country programme in Europe for 2025-2028. The programme ins Kosovo primarily focuses on sustainable rural development. The main emphasis is on national structures but also includes elements of regional processes, synergies, and structures. The programme functions as a platform to promote sustainable dialogue and regional cooperation. The programme includes support to local organisations in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Moldova.
Results in Kosovo:
- The We Effect program has focused on strengthening partner organizations’ staff capacity and promoting dialogue and cooperation between institutions and farmers. This collaboration has led to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD) prioritizing the dairy sector, with a significant increase in the grants budget, providing broader access to all eligible beneficiaries.
- Milk production has shown notable improvements in quality. Out of 1,800 dairy farmers, 71% (1,286) received subsidies to enhance milk quality, reflecting the program’s impact on sector standards.
- Additionally, until 2025, the program has provided a range of services primarily focused on dairy farming, including milk testing, advisory services, and technical training, benefiting 643 farmers, 29% of whom were women. The program has also supported women’s economic empowerment by transforming a local women’s rights organization into a technical service provider, delivering specialized training and developing cooperative-inspired business models for women farmers.
- Until 2025, targeted interventions have increased women’s access to agricultural resources, technical training, and participation in local decision-making. These efforts have led to greater economic empowerment and visibility for women in Kosovo’s rural sector.
Partnership approach
We Effect collaborates with local partner organisations – which are member-based and represent the voice of the small-holder farmers and other vulnerable groups.
Jointly we advocate and work for economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable agriculture and rural development with a gender perspective.
In Kosovo, We Effect collaborates with two local partner organisations.
Multi-country programme
We Effect collaborates with local partner organisations which are member-based and represent the voice of smallholder farmers and other vulnerable groups through the CSO Programme. Our work in Kosovo is part of the We Effect Europe multi-country CSO programme (2025–2028), with a primary focus on sustainable rural development. This programme builds on a decade-long commitment to civil society strengthening, continuing the Sida-supported CSO initiatives that began in 2014 and have been implemented in consecutive phases: 2014–2017, 2018–2023, 2023–2025, and now 2025–2028. The programme emphasizes strengthening national structures while also fostering regional cooperation, dialogue, and synergies. Support is provided to local organisations not only in Kosovo, but also in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Moldova.
PROJECTS
In Kosovo, we are also working through two national projects.
Strengthening Kosovo’s Dairy Sector
Partner organisation: Kosovo Association of Milk Producers, KAMP
The project aims to advance the sustainable development of rural communities and the dairy industry across Kosovo by improving farm productivity, milk quality, and climate resilience. Building on previous achievements, the project focuses on empowering dairy farmers—especially women and youth—while strengthening the institutional capacity and sustainability of the Kosovo Association of Milk Producers (KAMP).
Project implementation follows a comprehensive management approach, with a dedicated Project Coordination Unit responsible for planning, monitoring, and evaluation. Key staff include a project manager, finance and administration officer, and field extension officer, supported by technical experts as needed.
Main activities include:
- Organizing training and advisory services for farmers on farm management, milk quality, climate-smart practices, and business development.
- Upgrading Milk Collection Points with digital recordkeeping and quality testing systems.
- Facilitating policy dialogue through the Kosovo Livestock Dialogue Platform to advocate for sector reforms and climate adaptation subsidies.
- Promoting gender equality and youth empowerment through targeted training, leadership programs, and the documentation of success stories.
- Conducting national conferences, exposure visits, and multi-stakeholder meetings to share knowledge and strengthen cooperation.
The project integrates climate action by training farmers in climate-resilient forage, manure management, and sustainable resource use. Gender equality is prioritized through quotas, targeted outreach, and leadership development for women and youth.
Overall, the project is expected to directly benefit around 2,500 dairy farmers (at least 30% women and youth), 50 Milk Collection Points, and indirectly over 10,000 rural household members. It contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals, including no poverty, zero hunger, gender equality, decent work, and climate action, and aims to transform Kosovo’s dairy sector into a competitive, inclusive, and climate-resilient engine of rural development.
Rural Women Leading Change: Empowerment and Active Civic Participation
Partner organisation: EcoKosWomen
This project aims to empower rural women across Kosovo to drive positive change in food systems, poverty reduction, and climate resilience, while advancing gender equality and sustainable livelihoods. The initiative focuses on strengthening organizational capacity, mobilizing women through training, advocacy, practical demonstrations, and awareness campaigns.
Project management is carried out by a dedicated team with expertise in project coordination, community engagement, financial management, and technical support in climate adaptation and agriculture. Monitoring and evaluation are integrated throughout the project, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.
Key activities include:
- Building women’s skills in climate-smart agriculture, food security, financial literacy, and cooperative leadership.
- Advocating for policy reforms to improve women’s access to land, resources, and participation in decision-making.
- Conducting practical demonstrations in sustainable farming, soil analysis, and climate action planning.
- Supporting economic empowerment through market access, entrepreneurship, and cooperative formation.
- Running awareness campaigns and storytelling initiatives to promote gender equality, property rights, and women’s leadership.
The project directly benefits over 300 rural women and youth, and indirectly reaches more than 1,700 community members. It contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals, including no poverty, zero hunger, gender equality, decent work, responsible consumption, and climate action.
By combining skill-building, organizational strengthening, policy advocacy, and community engagement, the project aims to create lasting improvements in the livelihoods, resilience, and empowerment of rural women and their communities in Kosovo.
Meet the people
