Kosovo is one of the poorest countries in Europe. Farmers in Kosovo have small farms, the technology used is outdated, and they lack working capital as well as marketing and technical skills, which results in low productivity. Although women represent a significant part of the workforce in agriculture, they often receive no recognition or income, and benefit significantly less from public funds, including subsidies. Moreover, the agricultural sector, the largest employer in Kosovo, has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly reducing the level of employment in rural areas.

Expected Results

ER 1: Women-led rural businesses are equipped to introduce financially sustainable and environmentally sound solutions and improve their market position, through a competitive financial and technical assistance scheme.

ER 2: Women from rural areas are aware of their economic and social rights and provided with capacities and opportunities for active participation in local decision-making processes.

ER 3: Wide recognition of the role of women in rural areas of Kosovo through promotion of project’s best practices and success stories.

Main Activities

•  Open call to select women-led agrobusinesses to receive financial and technical support from the project.
• Pre-selection of 40 businesses to participate in a capacity building program on: marketing, financial inclusion, value chains, modern agrobusiness methodologies, business management, environmental protection, organic production, digital literacy and digital tools, business plan development.
• Facilitation of exchange among participants and with actors of the value chain.
• Capacity building of businesswomen on gender equality, economic and social rights, need for social cohesion, activism, gender budgeting, advocacy, with the involvement of local CSOs.
• Joint sessions with men to increase their awareness on women’s rights.
• Definition of advocacy priorities by businesswomen and CSOs.
• Round tables and advocacy actions with local decision makers for improving the status of rural women and promote a conducive business environment for women in rural areas.
• Final selection of 10 women-led businesses (out of the 40) to receive financial and technical support for business plan implementation.
• Coaching and monitoring of business plan implementation.
• Best practice examples from the project promoted, towards the business/financial community, authorities on the central level and general public.
• Meetings/dialogues for the promotion of women’s economic justice at the local and central level.