Yesterday, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Kosovo and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation signed a co-funding Agreement to further support inclusion and political engagement of women at the municipal level. Through the agreement, the Swiss Government will contribute $5 million dollars to USAID’s current $10 million Inclusive and Accountable Representation Activity, implemented by the National Democratic Institute (NDI).
USAID globally is leading the efforts to identify and pursue bold and innovative ways that help address challenges and barriers to women’s participation in decision-making and political processes. In Kosovo, USAID, through this partnership with SDC, will work to develop skills and capacities of women in politics and those interested in joining the political arena as political party members, candidates, and elected representatives.
USAID/Kosovo’s Inclusive and Accountable Representation Activity is a five-year activity that will further improve legislative and political responsiveness by targeting three main pillars – individual agency, structural reform, and social change – to effectively position women to compete politically with men on more equitable terms.
Since 1999, USAID has invested over US $1 billion in the reconstruction of Kosovo and its development on behalf of the American people.
Nazmije Bajrami, USAIDKosovo