Activity

1.1. Support towards the implementation of anti-discrimination legislation (VC 2974)

Purpose

Anti-discrimination legislation was adopted in Kosovo* in 2004 and its practical implementation is facilitated by a number of Administrative Instructions. The anti-discrimination legislation is currently subject to review following advice provided by the Council of Europe in the framework of the previous Joint Programme, Enhancing Human Rights Protection in Kosovo*.

However, there is a lack of awareness of its applicability, understanding of its scope and awareness by the general population on the human right to non-discrimination.

The project will combine support to the anti-discrimination mechanisms with technical training for lawyers and NGOs on how to apply the provisions of the anti-discrimination law and draw from the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the case law of the European Committee of Social Rights. Wider work on public perception will also be carried out.

Main partners

Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare; Ministry of Internal Affairs; Ombudsperson Institution; OPM/OGG; civil society.

Duration

24 months

Funding

Funding required: € 1 000 000

Relevant MAE

DG1 – Directorate of Human Rights and Rule of Law

Activity

1.2. Inter-cultural Mediation for Roma communities (ROMED)

Purpose

Mediation is one of the measures used across Europe to tackle the inequalities Roma face in terms of access to employment, healthcare services and quality education. Based on the Strasbourg Declaration on Roma[2], adopted in October 2010 at the High-Level Meeting on Roma, a European Training Programme for Mediators has been implemented by the CoE. ROMED became a joint Council of Europe/European Commission Programme on 6th July 2011. Since then, the Programme has been implemented in a number of beneficiaries.

Kosovo* benefitted from the first cycle of training. ROMED could be re-activated in Kosovo* in 2015 – 2016. Further action on Roma mediation in Kosovo* will also be tackled under the JP, Increasing access to education and intercultural understanding: EU/CoE Support in the field of education to forced measures of Returnee and to Roma Ashkali and Egyptian communities to Education in Kosovo* (see 1.7)

The overall objectives of ROMED are:

·         To improve equal access to public services for Roma;

·         To improve dialogue and confidence between Roma communities and public institutions;

·         To enhance democratic participation and visible empowerment of Roma communities;

·         To stimulate increased responsiveness of public institutions towards Roma.

·         Given the specific ethnic composition in Kosovo*, this project would focus on Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities alike, due to the common challenges faced by all three communities.

Main partners

The authorities responsible for the employment of mediators are the main partners (ministries of education, health, social affairs). Other partners include public institutions (schools, healthcare providers, employment offices, etc.), Roma organisations, and representatives of Roma communities.

Duration

2015 – 2016

Project area:

Albania, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Kosovo*

Funding

EU-CoE Joint Programme

Total project envelope: € 1 000 000 per year

Allocation for Kosovo*: depending on the activities, between € 7 000 and € 15 000.

Relevant MAE

Support Team to the Special Representative of the SG for Roma issues

Activity

1.3. De-constructing hate speech and building confidence for cohesion amongst young people in Kosovo* (VC 3056)

Purpose

The action aims to combat hate speech and to promote a culture of peace, human rights and reconciliation by raising young people’s awareness about hate speech and reducing their acceptance of hate speech.

·         To support an online campaign in Kosovo* against hate speech targeted at communities, notably through the formation of a Campaign Support Group within the youth campaign, No Hate Speech Movement;

·         To develop confidence-building and reconciliation measures through non-formal education activities in school and out-of-school;

·         To create a network of 25 online young activists from Kosovo* (various communities) and entrust them with running an online site and campaign against hate speech and for reconciliation;

·         To support young people in all regions of Kosovo* to act for human rights and work towards overcoming the inherited conflicts and the culture that nourishes conflict.

The CoE has contributed to the Regional Conference on Hate Speech organised by the OSCE mission in Pristina in June 2014.

Main partners

Youth and human rights organisations in Kosovo*

Duration

18 Months

Funding

€ 30 000

Relevant MAE

DG 2 – Youth Department

Activity

1.4. Promoting confidence and cohesion amongst communities in Kosovo* (VC 3040)

Purpose

The overall objective of the project is to build confidence among various ethnic groups of the Kosovo* population. This will be done via specific target groups in the population, for example NGOs, youth, media, which have a multiplying role in society. The project has a two-pronged objective: to cultivate a dialogue between the identified target groups (eg. NGOs, journalists and young people) from ethnic communities by raising awareness of existing shared values among peers groups, and to enhance knowledge and respect for European human rights standards in the region. The project activities include small scale bi-communal initiatives with a view to provide the population with better balanced services and information and to improve the capacity of the target groups to address sensitive issues in a balanced way. 

In particular, work is currently carried out in co-operation with a civil society partner, based on the training of educators to implement multi-ethnic sport activities.

A new initiative is currently being elaborated, in co-operation with the Pompidou Group, aimed at lower secondary school youth and based on dialogue around the prevention of drug use. Municipalities as well as central ministries will be involved. The more detailed description appears under point 3.1 below.

Main partners

NGOs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Duration

01/01/2015 – 31/12/2017 (36 months)

Funding

Funding available: € 80,000 (ordinary budget)

Additional funding required: € 250,000

Relevant MAE

Directorate of Political Affairs

Activity

1.5. Reinforcing the fight against violence against women and domestic violence

Purpose

As requested during the 2^nd Working Group meeting on co-operation between the Council of Europe and Kosovo* held in Strasbourg on 23 September 2014, the project is aimed to strengthen Kosovo’s* institutional capacities to prevent and counter violence against women and domestic violence in line with the standards of the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the “Istanbul Convention”).

The specific objectives are:

·         To contribute to better alignment of Kosovo* legislation and policies with the standards of the Istanbul Convention;

·         To promote CoE standards to improve the prevention of violence, the protection of victims, and the prosecution of perpetrators in Kosovo*.

Main partners

Relevant institutional stakeholders such as Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Civil Society.

Duration

tbc

Funding

tbc

Relevant MAE

DG 2 – Violence against women

Activity

1.6. Promoting the respect of social rights in Kosovo* in line with the standards of the European Social Charter

Purpose

The project aims to introduce the standards of the European Social Charter in Kosovo*, and strengthen Kosovo’s* institutional capacities to promote social rights in Kosovo* in line with these standards.

A preliminary activity will aim to introduce the standards of the European Social Charter to the authorities and civil society in Kosovo*. It will serve to raise awareness on relevance and importance of focussing on social and economic rights through law, policy and practice and will pave the way for more elaborate co-operation by the European Social Charter with the relevant authorities in this field.

The overall project will aim to :

·         To promote Council of Europe standards in the field of social rights.

·         To raise awareness among civil society to social and economic rights

·         To contribute to better alignment of Kosovo* legislation and policies with the standards of the European Social Charter;

Main partners

Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Office of Good Governance (OPM), Civil Society.

Duration

24 months

Funding

Funding required: € 750 000

Relevant MAE

DG 1 – Department of the European Social Charter

Activity

1.7. Support to the implementation of European human rights standards in Kosovo* (VC 3038)

Purpose

The project is a follow-up to the EU/CoE joint programme, Enhancing human rights protection in Kosovo* (1 February 2012 – 28 February 2014). It aims to enhance the capacity of legal professionals to apply the ECHR and to strengthen judicial and non-judicial mechanisms of human rights protection in Kosovo*. The project provides targeted support in three areas, which ultimately will strengthen the level of human rights protection in Kosovo*. The project objectives are:

·         To support the institutional set-up and the legislative framework for Kosovo* of non-judicial human rights institutions, notably as regards the Ombudsperson Institution in Kosovo* (OIK) through: expert assistance upon request on the design and implementation regulations/planning documents related to human rights institutions; evaluation and support to the OIK institution in carrying its functions; capacity-development.

·         To enhance transparency and efficiency of the Kosovo* judiciary through the provision of support to the development of a system of assessment of the judicial and prosecutorial performance in line with European best practices; support to the development of a case law database for legal professionals;

·         To build the capacity of legal professionals as regards the application of the ECHR in Kosovo* based on the CoE’s HELP Programme tools and training methodology.

Main partners

Ministry of Justice, OIK, civil society, Constitutional Court, Kosovo* Judicial Council, Kosovo* Prosecutorial Council, Kosovo* Judicial Institute, Kosovo* Chamber of Advocates (KCA) and with strategic co-operation with other donors in this field.

Duration

15/10/2014 – 31/10/2016

Funding

Total cost: € 1 100 000

Funded by Norway

Relevant MAE

DG1 – Human Rights Policy and Development Department

Activity

1.8. Increasing access to education and intercultural understanding: EU/CoE support in the field of education to forced returnee and to Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in Kosovo* – ACCESS (JP 3026)

Purpose

This project builds on the experiences and outcomes of the component on Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians of the EU/CoE joint project,  Interculturalism and Bologna Process’, implemented by the Council of Europe between 2008 and 2011.

The project objectives are to ensure greater social cohesion and confidence between communities and to promote socio-economic development of returnees and Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities by supporting active measures for the integration and inclusion of the children of these communities into Kosovo* education system and into schooling in particular, as specified in the Roma Education Strategy, Strategy for Inclusive Education in Kosovo*, the Strasbourg Declaration on Roma[3] (20 October 2010), the Kosovo* Education Strategic Plan (KESP) 2011 – 2016 and all other relevant policy documents.

The project aims to support returnees and minority communities (especially Roma) to integrate into the education system in Kosovo* by increasing access to education and promoting intercultural understanding in the school system in Kosovo*.

The project is using the Council of Europe expertise. It is in line with and contributes to the goals set by the Strategy and Action Plan for the Integration of Roma, Askhali and Egyptian Communities (2009 – 2015) in particular in the field of education, returns and reintegration.

Main partners

Ministry of Education, Science and Technology; Ministry of Internal Affairs; NGOs

Duration

01/07/2013 – 30/06/2015

Funding

EU-CoE Joint Programme

Programme envelope: € 1 115 000

Relevant MAE

DG2 – Education Department

Activity

1.9. Promoting Human Rights and Minority Protection in South East Europe – phase II (MinRights) (Regional JP 3113)

Purpose

Phase II of the project will focus on the overall objective to improve access to rights for minorities at various levels of government in South East Europe based upon Council of Europe standards in this field and in particular on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML). Particular issues of concern in Kosovo* as raised by the Advisory Committee (AC) on the FCNM will be chosen as topics.

The following specific objectives will contribute in a complementary manner to achieving this overall objective:

·         To support local governments to enhance policies and capacity for the implementation of minority rights in selected municipalities in the region;

·         To identify and share good practices among the participating municipalities and to develop adaptable models for use in other municipalities in the region;

Based on evidence from the local level, coupled with recommendations from CoE monitoring reports, to provide support on legislative and policy changes at the central government level. The three inter-linking project components are all designed to have a real impact on access to services for vulnerable groups on the ground based upon European standards.

Main partners

Office of Good Governance within the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Local Government Administration, Municipalities of Kosovo*

Duration

30/11/2011 – 28/12/2016 [Phase II: July 2014 – December 2016]

Project area

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, and Kosovo*

Funding

EU-CoE Joint Programme

Budgetary allocation to Kosovo*: € 515 000 (from the total envelope of € 3 600 000)

Relevant MAE

DG2 – Education Department

Activity

1.10. Regional Support for Inclusive Education (Regional JP 2851)

Purpose

The project aims to enhance, in line with the beneficiaries’ commitments to EU accession and CoE standards, social inclusion and social cohesion in the region by promoting inclusive education and training.

The project promotes the concept of inclusive education as a reform principle that respects and caters for diversity amongst all learners, with a specific focus on those who are at a higher risk of marginalisation and exclusion. While focusing on pilot schools, the project at the same time is conducted at a regional level, thereby accentuating the role of education and training in the promotion of social inclusion, tolerance, intercultural dialogue and non-discrimination in South East Europe as a whole.

The project stimulates relevant policies and practices of inclusive education in the formal education system at pre-university level in SEE, through:

·         setting up regional support mechanisms and resources for pilot-inclusive schools;

·         raising awareness of the benefits of inclusive education for the general public, as well as decision makers;

·         enhancing the capacities of policymakers for designing and implementing inclusive education policies;

·         improving teacher competences and practices for inclusive education.

Main partners

Ministry of Education, Science and Technology is the primary partner, Municipalities of Kosovo*

Duration

01/01/2013 – 30/11/2015

Project areas

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” and Kosovo*

Funding

EU-CoE Joint Programme

Budgetary allocation to Kosovo*: € 730000 (from the total programme envelope of € 5 165 650)

Relevant MAE

DG2 – Education Department

Activity

1.11. Support to the Promotion of Cultural Diversity in Kosovo* Heritage Community Network in Action (PCDK-II) (JP 2787)

Purpose

As a follow-up to the project PCDK I, which focussed on activities relating to the rehabilitation of cultural heritage, the project aims to facilitate the development of viable heritage planning and management in Kosovo* in accordance with European norms and standards, with a strong emphasis on community well-being through the active participation of all stakeholders and civil society.

The project mainly aims to:

·         Strengthen the capacity of the administration at all levels by improving organisational and operational capacity, by developing a coherent programme of work and a strategy for heritage planning and management, and by establishing the appropriate conditions for the implementation of the law on cultural heritage.

·         Raise awareness of the general public, especially children, young people and minority groups, about the importance of cultural and natural heritage as a common heritage.

·         Support local development through strategies on heritage management and heritage tourism based on Regional Heritage Plans.

·         Enhance the well-being of all communities by initiating innovative pilot actions based on a common heritage where elements from the first three components come together.

Main partners

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, regional and local institutions, the Serbian Orthodox Church, civil society

Duration

01/10/2012 – 31/03/2015

Funding

EU-CoE Joint Programme

Programme envelope: € 2 400 000

Relevant MAE

DG2 – Democratic Institutions and Governance Department

Managing Diversity Division

Activity

2.1. Improving the efficiency of the justice system of Kosovo* (VC 2975)

Purpose

The project aims to improve the day-to-day functioning and quality of the Kosovo* justice system, by making available to the authorities the well-known methodology and tools of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ), which have not been applied in Kosovo* so far. Their application should lead to an increased capacity of the responsible authorities to assess the efficiency of the Kosovo* judicial system, as well as to ensure that justice is delivered within a reasonable time and that it meets good quality standards.

The efficiency of the Kosovo* judicial system will be assessed and a comprehensive evaluation report will be drawn up, on the basis of the data submitted by the competent authorities. In addition to providing a detailed analysis of the day-to-day functioning of the judicial system, the report will provide recommendations to improve its performance.

Moreover, CEPEJ tools on judicial time management and quality of justice will be applied in selected pilot courts identified jointly with the Kosovo* authorities.

Finally, the training curriculum of the Kosovo* Judicial Institute will be reviewed as necessary, in particular as regards judicial time management and court management. Trainers will be also trained with a view to the full dissemination of CEPEJ tools in Kosovo*.

Main partners

Judicial Council, Judicial Institute, Prosecutorial Council, Ministry of Justice, Ombudsperson institution.

Duration

24 months

Funding

Funding required: € 1 000 000

Relevant MAE

DG1 – Justice and Legal Co-operation Department

Activity

2.2. Support to the implementation of CPT Standards (VC 2976)

Purpose

Based on the CPT reports for Kosovo* and needs expressed by the relevant and competent authorities dealing with issues related to the deprivation of liberty, this project will provide capacity-building expertise in this area of CPT standards related to detention and closed institutions.

This project shall focus on, inter alia, capacity-building support on the implementation of the European Prison Rules[4], targeting both pre-trial and penitentiary facilities. The project will harmonise and co-ordinate its efforts in light of other support structures in situ, including (but not limited to) the EU Twinning Project on Prison Reform and the European Union Rule of Law Mission’s activities in this field.

The project shall focus on :

·         Prison management, including management of high security prison;

·         Provision of health care in prison; procedural safeguards against ill-treatment for police;

·         Social re-integration of offenders in the community (introduction of treatment programmes for prisoners, and vocational and educational programmes);

·         Support engagement of civil society with prisons.

Main partners

Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, Kosovo* Correctional Services, Kosovo* Academy of Security and Public Safety, Kosovo* Police, staff of closed detention facilities and closed healthcare institutions, prosecutors, Ombudsperson and civil society.

Duration

24 months

Funding

Funding required: approx. € 650 000

Relevant MAE

DG1 – Action against crime Department

Activity

2.3. Improving the protection of European Human Rights standards by the Constitutional Court of Kosovo* (VC 3119)

Purpose

The project aims to improve the capacity of the Constitutional Court of Kosovo* in ensuring the protection of individual human rights and fundamental freedoms in Kosovo* through the effective application of European human rights norms to individual complaints.

Article 113.7 of the Constitution authorises individuals to refer violations by public authorities of their individual rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution to the Constitutional Court. Article 22.2 specifies that human rights and fundamental freedoms guaranteed by ECHR are directly applicable in Kosovo*. Furthermore, the Constitution provides, in Article 53, that “human rights and fundamental freedoms guaranteed by this Constitution shall be interpreted consistently with the court decisions of the European Court of Human Rights.” The Constitutional Court judges are supported, inter alia, by a team of thirteen legal advisors, who are permanent employees of the Constitutional Court. These legal advisors conduct legal research and prepare the decisions, resolutions and draft judgments of the Court on behalf of the judges.

The Constitutional Court lacks the capacity to utilise the standards and particularly the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights. The proposed project shall address this by providing a work placement in the Registry of the European Court of Human Rights for a period of five months each, to support the professional development of the legal advisors within the Constitutional Court.

Main partners

Constitutional Court of Kosovo*, The European Court of Human Rights, Council of Europe Office in Pristina, DG I

Duration

March 2014-December 2016 

Funding

€ 267 072 – funded by the Swiss Confederation

Relevant MAE

DG1 – Human Rights Policy and Development Department

Activity

3.1. Contributing to the development of effective drug policies (VC 3127)

Purpose

Illegal drug and alcohol abuse is a significant problem among young people and families in Kosovo* and in South-East Europe.

Inter-ethnic dialogue needs to be developed especially around fundamental issues such as health protection.

Hence, the project’s objective is to improve public health and inter-ethnic dialogue through capacity-building among school teachers in the field of drug prevention.

A partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and a select group of municipalities will facilitate the training of the critical mass of professionals capable of implementing the methodology throughout Kosovo*. The final aim, certification of the programme, will provide a reference for all future training. Financial support will be leveraged from organisations such as UNMIK, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo* and others with experience in this field of operation in order to maximise the impact on the ground.

Main partners

All professionals dealing with the promotion of healthy lifestyles at school as part of their profession: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ministry of Local Government Administration, Ministry of Health, municipalities, teachers, educators, social workers, psychologists etc.

Duration

12 months

Funding

Funding required: € 150 000

Relevant MAE

Directorate of Political Affairs, DG1 – Pompidou Group.

Activity

3.2. Project against Economic Crime in Kosovo* (PECK II) (JP)

Purpose

The ongoing implementation of PECK I (3.4) through its assessment tools modelled on GRECO and FATF/MONEYVAL methodologies and specifically tailored for Kosovo*, has so far shown that AC and AML/CFT systems remain weak. Significant deficiencies have been identified, particularly in the area of implementation and effectiveness of existing legislative and institutional measures. By building on the results and lessons learned from PECK I, the project will aim to continue supporting institutional capacities to counter corruption, money laundering and the financing of terrorism in Kosovo* in accordance with evolving international and European standards. This support in the format of technical co-operation will be provided through assessments, recommendations and targeted capacity-development activities to address gaps and shortcomings identified through the assessment exercise thus improving and streamlining economic crime reforms.

Main partners

Kosovo* Anti-corruption Agency and Financial Intelligence Unit will be the main partners and coordinators of the assessment exercise and capacity building activities. In addition, the following institutions will be involved in the assessment exercise as well as targeted technical assistance activities: Office of Good Governance, State Prosecutor and Special Prosecutor’s Office, Judicial Council, Prosecutorial Council, Police, Police Inspectorate, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Agency for Managing Seized and Confiscated Assets, Ministry of Finance, Central Bank, Ministry of Justice, Customs, Tax, Administration, Office of the Auditor General, Procurement Review Body, Public Procurement Regulatory Commission, Parliament, Central Electoral Commission, private sector and civil society representatives.

Duration

36 months

Funding

EU-CoE Joint Programme

Programme envelope: € 2 200 000 (€ 2 000 000 EU contribution; € 200 000 CoE)

Relevant MAE

DG1 – Action against Crime Department (Economic Crime Co-operation Unit)

Activity

3.3. JP Co-operation on Cybercrime: targeting crime proceeds on the Internet – CyberProceeds@IPA

Purpose

The European Union and the Council of Europe carried out the joint regional project, CyberCrime@IPA, from November 2010 to June 2013, in which the question of criminal money flows was one of several components. The present regional project is to provide follow-up on this issue. 

The objective of the Action is to strengthen the capacity of the relevant and competent Kosovo* authorities to search, seize and confiscate cybercrime proceeds and prevent money laundering on the internet.

This is to be achieved through seven expected results related to:

1. Public reporting systems;

2. Legislation;

3. Inter-agency co-operation for cybercrime and financial investigations;

4. Risk-management and due diligence guidelines for financial sector entities;

5. Public/private information sharing;

6. Judicial training;

7. International co-operation.

Main partners

Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Economic Development, KP (Department Against Organised Crime), Prosecutor’s Office, Justice Institute.

Duration

48 months

Project area

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, Turkey and Kosovo* 

Funding

EU-CoE Joint Programme

Budgetary allocation to Kosovo*: approx. € 785 000 (from the total envelope of € 5.5 million)

Relevant MAE

DG1 – Cybercrime Programme Office of the Council of Europe (C-PROC) in Bucharest, Romania

Activity

3.4. Project against Economic Crime in Kosovo* (PECK I) (JP 2590)

Purpose

While acknowledging the need of a comprehensive and structured assessment process in Kosovo* in the areas of anti-corruption and anti-money laundering and countering of terrorist financing, the project deals with the assessment of institutional, legal, policy and resource areas based on the experience and criteria used by GRECO, MONEYVAL and other relevant CoE bodies.

The project aims to strengthen institutional capacities to counter corruption, money laundering and the financing of terrorism in accordance with European standards through assessments and recommendations for improving and streamlining reforms against economic crime in Kosovo*.

Main partners

Kosovo* Anti-corruption Agency; Financial Intelligence Unit; OGG. In addition, the following beneficiaries will participate throughout the project’s implementation when the 2 components’ assessments on anti-corruption and anti-money laundering and countering of terrorist financing take place in two cycles: Special Prosecutor’s Office, Judicial Council, Prosecutorial Council, police, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Agency for Managing Seized and Confiscated Assets, Ministry of Finance, Central Bank, Ministry of Justice, Customs, Office of the Auditor General, Procurement Review Body, Public Procurement Regulatory Commission, Central Electoral Commission.

Duration

01/02/2012 – 31/07/2014;

no-cost extension from 01/08/2014 to 31/03/2015

Funding

EU-CoE Joint Programme

Programme envelope: € 1 200 000

Relevant MAE

DG1 – Action against Crime Department (Economic Crime Co-operation Unit)

Activity

3.5. Re-inforcing the fight against trafficking in human beings in Kosovo* through the application of GRETA methodology and tools (VC 3036)

Purpose

The project aims to strengthen Kosovo’s* institutional capacities to prevent and counter trafficking in human beings in line with the standards of the CoE Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings through a thorough assessment and recommendations for improving and streamlining reforms in this field.

The project is designed to use GRETA’s methodology and tools to guide Kosovo* in the development of its legislation, policies and practices in the field, thus indirectly contributing to building the capacity of Kosovo* to prevent and respond to trafficking in human being and ensure the monitoring of international standards.

The specific objectives are:

• To contribute to better alignment of Kosovo* legislation and policies with the standards of the CoE Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings
• To promote CoE standards against trafficking in human beings in Kosovo*

·         To evaluate the level and quality of the measures against trafficking in human being in Kosovo* and provide recommendations for improvement.

Main partners

Office of the Anti-trafficking Co-ordinator, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Kosovo Police, Ministry of Justice, and other relevant institutional stakeholders. 

Duration

1/09/2014 – 31/12/2016

Funding

€ 36 090.03

Relevant MAE

DG 2 Trafficking in Human Beings

Activity

4.1. Strengthening of internet governance ethics as a tool for increasing the protection of human rights (VC 3037)

Purpose

The overall objective of the proposed project is to improve protection of human rights on the internet, in particular freedom of expression and privacy in line with Articles 10 and 8 of the ECHR.

The project should also improve the overall capacity of public officials and private sector to understand and implement internet governance from a human rights’ perspective.

It should also strengthen civil society’s and the media’s watchdog role on the internet and human rights, and strengthen the capacity of vulnerable groups, particularly children and youth to exercise their human rights relating to the internet.

Main partners

Kosovo Institute for Public Administration, Kosovo Judicial Institute, Prime Minister Office, OGG, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology; Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, internet service providers, NGOs such as Youth Initiative for Human Rights, the Post and Telecommunications of Kosovo*.

Duration

18 months

Funding

Funding required: € 1 000 000

Relevant MAE

DG1 – Information Society Department

Activity

4.2 Supporting Freedom of Expression through Professional and Ethical Media in Kosovo*

Purpose

The Regional Initiative, Promoting freedom of expression and information and freedom of the media in South-Eastern Europe (4.3), which is currently being implemented in Kosovo*, has underlined the importance of realising the spirit and letter of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights in Kosovo*. The proposed project will strive to enhance the professional and technical skills of journalists, media professionals and the various regulatory and self-regulatory bodies concerned with the media landscape in Kosovo* based on Council of Europe Standards and ECtHR jurisprudence.

The project should also improve the overall capacity of relevant public officials to understand and implement these standards, with due regard for social cohesion, reconciliation and non-discrimination. The project will focus efforts on the role of civil society in this regard.

Main partners

Independent Media Commission, Journalist associations, Kosovo Judicial Institute, Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, Kosovo Press Council, NGOs.

Duration

36 months

Funding

Funding required: € 750 000

Relevant MAE

DG1 – Information Society Department

Activity

4.3. Promoting freedom of expression and information and freedom of the media in South-Eastern Europe (VC 2970)

Purpose

The project aims to develop legal and institutional guarantees for freedom of expression, higher quality journalism and a pluralistic media landscape in line with CoE standards in South-East Europe (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, “the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo*).

The specific objectives of the project are:

• To align the laws and regulations in the traditional and new media field with Council of Europe standards and to secure the proper implementation of the legal framework through the incorporation in public authorities’ daily practice of European standards in the field of freedom of expression;
• To enhance the independence and effectiveness of the bodies responsible for broadcasting regulation and enabling the public-service broadcasting system to better fulfil its remit;
• To develop professionalism, responsibility and respect for ethical rules among journalists.

Main partners

Independent Media Commission; Association of Professional Journalists of Kosovo*; public authorities, Press Council

Duration

September 2013 – September 2015 (24 months), no-cost extension

Project area

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, and Kosovo*

Funding

Funding available for Kosovo*: € 150 000 (from the total envelope of € 1 003 262) secured under Norway Framework Agreement.

Additional funding required for Kosovo*: € 50 000 (from the total amount required of € 300 000).

Relevant MAE

DG1 –Information Society Department

Activity

5.1. Development of local democracy and governance in Kosovo* (VC 2977)

Purpose

The overall objective of the proposed project is to develop local self-government in Kosovo* in accordance with the principles of local and regional democracy.

Based on an assessment of the state of implementation of the principles of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, the Congress will organise a seminar to facilitate discussions among stakeholders, and to advise Kosovo* municipalities and authorities on ways to further strengthen local authorities.

The project will also include a capacity-building dimension which aims to strengthen leadership capacities of mayors and members of municipal councils and, by this, to increase confidence and trust of citizens in local authorities. This will be based on a peer-to-peer approach and best practices, involving members of the Congress. (N.B.: The project will be adapted in the light of developments in the field of local and regional democracy).

Main partners

Ministry of Local Government Administration, Association of Kosovo* Municipalities, Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe, Ministry for Local Government Administration, Local Democracy Agency, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders.

Duration

16 months

Funding

Funding required: € 300 000

Relevant MAE

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities

Activity

5.2. Strengthening local democracy in Kosovo* (VC 2978)

Purpose

Based on its toolkits, the Centre of Expertise has been supporting the Association of Kosovo* Municipalities to implement tailor-made activities with a view to strengthening the capacities of local self-government. The Best Practice Programme (BPP), oriented at identifying and disseminating best local initiatives and achievements through a systematic approach, has been implemented.

A more comprehensive project is now proposed on Promoting Local development in Kosovo* with the following main objectives:

1. To improve the institutional knowledge of local authorities by helping to create a support structure, developing and implementing impact-oriented programmes in the following fields:

-       Municipal planning and economic development;

-       Benchmarking for local finance and budgeting;

-       Improving local services through performance management schemes.

2. To promote the identification and dissemination of best practices between Kosovo* municipalities through the continuation of the current Best Practice Programme.

Main partners

Ministry of Local Government Administration, Association of Kosovo* Municipalities and other relevant stakeholders.

Duration

3 years

Funding

Funding required: € 655 000                

Relevant MAE

DG2 – Democratic Institutions and Governance Department

Good Governance Division

Activity

5.3. Ensuring Quality Education in Kosovo* (VC 3120)

Purpose

The focus of this proposed project will be on the one hand traditional areas of expertise of the Council of Europe: education for democratic citizenship and human rights education, history teaching and inclusive education. It will also touch upon a new area – corruption in education - based upon the conclusions of the meeting of Ministers of Education in Helsinki in April 2013.

The objective of the project is to improve quality education in Kosovo*; to promote democratic citizenship and human rights in schools and to support multi-perspectivity in history teaching as a source for reconciliation between communities; to foster inclusive education approaches in the education system; to combat corruption in education and to contribute to a pan-European platform of exchange of information and best practices in ethics and integrity in education and to contribute to the “Helsinki agenda for quality education in Europe”.

Main partners

Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, pedagogical institutes, schools; municipal education departments

Duration

36 months

Funding

Funding required: € 3 million

Relevant MAE

DG 2 – Education Department

Activity

5.4. Social Inclusion through Local Economic Development (SILED) (JP)

Purpose

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to socio-economic development through inclusive local governance and effective socially responsible local resource management, with a spirit of culture of community practice, democratic participation and diversity.

Its specific objective is to strengthen local institutions and civil society organisations; to provide them with technical support and management tools for increased development at local level in accordance with European norms and practices.

Building on the experiences of PCDK I and PCDK II, the SILED is to develop comprehensive and integrated education program in order to promote social cohesion, intercultural dialogue, diversity, civic education and socially/ environmentally responsible development.

Main partners

A selection of municipalities, all key ministries, led by the Ministry of Local Government Administration, NGOs, Schools, Academia

Duration

01/08/2015 – 31/01/2018

Funding

EU-CoE Joint Programme

Programme envelope: € 2 400 000

Relevant MAE

DG2 – Democratic Institutions and Governance Department

Managing Diversity Division

Activity

5.5. Network of the Schools of Political Studies: Pristina Institute of Political Studies (VC 3137)

Purpose

The Schools of Political Studies promote democratic values, democratic processes and active participation in public life through training and confidence-building measures for future generations of political, economic, social and cultural leaders in places in transition.

The Pristina Institute of Political Studies, which actively participates in the Schools’ Network, brings together young leaders from different political parties, the administration and sectors of civil society, the mass media and the business world. It supports the capacity-building of young political and civic leaders capable to manage democratisation processes by:

•     Developing and consolidating an advanced training programme for political and civic leaders.

•     Using its alumni as drivers for change in democratic processes.

Main partners

19 CoE Schools of Political Studies established in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe and South Caucasus as well as new Schools being opened in Greece and Turkey.

Duration

01/01/2014 – 31/12/2016

Project areas

Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia,  Georgia, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, ''the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia'', Ukraine, Visegrad countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovak Republic), Kosovo*, Belarus, Morocco and Tunisia.

Funding

Funding required for 2015: € 25 000

Relevant MAE

Directorate of Policy Planning

Activity

5.6. EDQM Visit and Audit of National Blood Centre

Purpose

Following a request from the Ministry of Health of Kosovo*, an audit was conducted at the National Centre for Blood Transfusion of Kosovo* in the frame of the EDQM activities. The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and HealthCare’s mission is the monitoring of quality standards for safe medicines and their safe use. The EDQM Quality Management Programme was drawn up to help Blood Establishments to improve and also to assess their Quality Management System with regard to different norms and standards in use in Europe. It comprises training visits (TV), Blood Mutual Joint Visits (B-MJV) and Blood Mutual Joint Audits (B-MJA). A B-MJV was performed in July 2014 in the Kosovo* Blood Center in Pristina. For 2015 a training visit is proposed.

Main partners

EU DG Sanco, DG Enlargement, Council of Europe Directorate of Political Advice, Kosovo* Blood Center, Kosovo* Ministry of Health

Duration

January 2014 – TBC 2015

Funding

The B-MJV was financed by EDQM; discussions are ongoing with the EU with regards to the possible Training Visit.

Relevant MAE

European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and HealthCare

Table 1

ONGOING PROJECTS

Funding secured

Type of project

Ordinary Budget

EU/CoE Joint Programmes

Voluntary Contributions

Total funds secured

Kosovo* specific

80 000,00

4 715 000,00

1 403 162,03

6 198 162,03

Regional/Multilateral

1 245 000,00

200 000,00

1 445 000,00

TOTAL

80 000,00

5 960 000,00

1 603 162,03

7 643 162,03

 Table 2

PLANNED AND ONGOING PROJECTS

Pillars

Total funds required (Planned Projects)

Total funds secured (Ongoing projects)

Total

1. PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS, ANTI-DISCRIMINATION AND DIVERSITY

2 045 000,00

5 940 000,00

7 985 000,00

2. ENSURING JUSTICE

1 650 000,00

267 072,00

1 917 072,00

3. FIGHTING CORRUPTION, ECONOMIC CRIME AND ORGANISED CRIME

3 135 000,00

1 236 090,03

4 371 090,03

4. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA

1 750 000,00

200 000,00

1 950 000,00

5. DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND PARTICIPATION

6 380 000,00

6 380 000,00

TOTAL

14 960 000,00

7 643 162,03

22 603 162,03