03.11.2009 ministry_of_ed_world_learning_small.jpg <![CDATA[MEST launched a modern website]]> Ministry of Education, Science and Technology launched a modern website

In August 2008 the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology launched a modern website (www.masht-gov.net) with technical assistance provided by USAID. Before then the website was static and outdated. The Ministry needed a more effective tool for internal and external communication. The USAID FORECAST project engaged a local web design firm to work closely with Ministry personnel on conceptualizing and designing the site. Assistance included several months of support and training for Ministry personnel so that the Ministry would be able to manage day-to-day updates and make basic changes on its own. The initiative was completed in early summer 2009 and the website is considered to be a great success.

The Ministry’s Information Officer, Ismet Osdautaj, explains that the new website provides a much more effective and efficient means of sharing up-to-date and reliable information with personnel, the public and the media. Content is provided in Albanian, Serbian and English. Between March and September 2009 the site received 163,000 visits, including more than 13,000 from outside Kosovo.

USAID Kosovo | Anite Rukovci New website provides a much more effective and efficient means of sharing up-to-date and reliable information with personnel, the public and the media
Anita Rukovci, Website Officer at the Ministry, reports that the new website has drawn praise from the European Commission as “one of the best in the Balkans.” The design firm, ADV Media House (www.advmediahouse.com), describes this project is a source of pride and gratification, and says that it has led to additional business for them with the Government of Kosovo.

The USAID FORECAST program in Kosovo is implemented by World Learning. ]]> successStorie_more_07.html 01.11.2009 moot_scholars_world_learning_small.jpg <![CDATA[Moot Court Competition Leads to 3 International Scholarships]]> Moot Court Competition Leads to 3 International Scholarships

In March 2008 and April 2009, USAID supported the participation of student teams from the University of Prishtina in the Annual Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, a week-long event in which law students from around the world demonstrate their litigation skills in a hypothetical commercial law case. The event takes place at the Law Faculty of the University of Vienna.

The Kosovo teams, under their lead coach Vjosa Osmani (an Assistant Law Professor), prepared for the events for months in advance – including final training in a model courtroom constructed by the US Justice Department and USAID at the University Law Faculty. In all, USAID covered expenses for 7 students and their coaches to participate in the competition. All of them consider the experience of preparation and competition to have been highly valuable.

Three of the students went on to receive international masters scholarships, a fact they attribute directly to the contacts and impressions they made in Vienna.

USAID Kosovo | 3 International Scholarships Three of the students went on to receive international masters scholarships, a fact they attribute directly to the contacts and impressions they made in Vienna.
Ms. Donikë Qerimi has already completed a one-year masters in International and Comparative Law at the University of Pittsburg, with a full scholarship. Now, she says, “I plan to get involved in projects connected with improving the legislative and judicial climate in Kosovo.” Ms. Kujtesa Nezaj has been offered the same scholarship and plans to begin studies in Pittsburgh in the fall of 2009.

Ms. Anjezë Gojani has accepted a scholarship for a year-long masters program in International and European Business Law at Leiden University in Holland. “Participating in the Vis competition was a major advantage in my application,” she says. Ms. Gojani hopes to work for the Kosovo government when she completes her studies in 2010.

Participation was funded through USAID’s program Focus on Results – Enhancing Capacity Across Sectors in Transition, which is implemented by World Learning. ]]> successStorie_more_06.html 01.08.2009 john_boris_ss_01.jpg <![CDATA[Students and State Department representatives paint Mitrovica]]> Students and State Department representatives paint Mitrovica school wall

John Boris, Director, Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Division in the Office of the Coordinator of Assistance for Europe and Eurasia joined students of Sveti Sava School in painting the school wall on October 4 to mark the beginning of the school rehabilitation project. "We know a good education is critical not just for you, but for all Kosovo. We know this building is your home away from home, and we want it to be safe … to be comfortable … and to be a place where you can learn without interruptions," said Boris at the inauguration ceremony, followed by Andrija Vukomanovic, Sveti Sava school director who thanked USAID for supporting the school project. The painting of the wall marked the official start of $110,000 school rehabilitation project, part of USAID's Community Enhancement Project implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration and Mercy Corps International. The renovation includes a new roof, new windows, exterior repairs and painting, and new toilets. The over one-million project works with communities in Leposavic/q, north Mitrovica/e, Zubin Potok and Zvecan on small infrastructure program. ]]> successStorie_more_01.html 01.08.2009 tax_ss_01.jpg <![CDATA[Youth of Suhareka/Suvareka act for property tax collection]]> Youth of Suhareka/Suvareka act for property tax collection

A month-long advocacy campaign led by youth of Suharekë/Suva Reka resulted in this municipality meeting the criteria to receive the incentive grant awarded to the municipalities collecting over 247,000 euros of own-source revenues.

The campaign involved members of the high school students' council, who conducted door-to-door meetings with residents and 17 public meetings in the villages and with public sector staff such as the Health Center.

Supported by USAID 's Local Government Initiative (LGI), the municipal official initiated a comprehensive advocacy campaign during December 2005. The plan aimed at collecting household and business property taxes, very often the only source of revenues for municipalities.

In addition to collecting the property tax, the campaign indirectly achieved another success: it raised citizens' awareness of the need for them to participate in the development of the municipality through municipal development funds. In addition to taxes paid, approximately 500,000 euros were collected from communities to combine with municipal development funds to be used for infrastructure projects in their respective communities. ]]> successStorie_more_02.html 01.08.2009 judge_ss_01.jpg <![CDATA[Law students conduct first trial]]> Law students conduct first trial

Wearing court gowns and performing the roles of prosecutors, attorneys and judges, a group of students from the University of Prishtina Law Faculty conducted a simulated criminal trial. Held in front of an audience, the mock trial is part of a legal clinic program that links theoretical knowledge with hands-on training for law school graduates.

The trial event is the culmination of joint efforts of students in the Criminal Department of and legal experts engaged in the actual preparatory phase of the mock trial. Experts worked closely with students in building the criminal case. Both experts and students (who for the first time faced an actual court case) felt the performance was a success.

The simulated trial was held in the Pristina District Court on June 15. The Legal Clinic Project is supported by USAID and implemented by the American Bar Association/Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative and the University of Prishtina Law Faculty. ]]> successStorie_more_03.html 01.08.2009 chees_ss_01.jpg <![CDATA[New Cheeses Capture Local Market]]> New Cheeses Capture Local Market

Four Kosovo dairy processors are now making a variety of new cheeses and yogurts, thanks to a USAID effort to energize the dairy industry. The new products are replacing imports, as consumers are discovering locally produced cheeses and yogurts that taste great.

One of the four dairy processors, Abi Company, has added feta, ricotta, and mozzarella cheeses to its production line. Their new mozzarella is quickly winning favor with popular pizzerias. Another processor, Rona, has developed new yogurts and feta, mozzarella, and ricotta cheeses, and is on its way to producing gouda. Rona has also created a refreshing new dairy drink made from whey, a processed milk by-product. A third processor, Shala, changed its cheese processing procedures as a result of the USAID program, and added a feta and whey drinks to its product line. Ajka, the fourth processor, improved its yogurts with a new technique and also launched a whey drink product. The processors are each buying about 5,000 more liters of milk per day from local dairy farms and have boosted their income from new-product sales by $2,000 per day.

USAID provides training and technical assistance to dairy processors as part of its effort to help Kosovo build a strong, stable economy and reduce unemployment. By giving them tools to make products that would otherwise be imported, USAID is strengthening the local economy and increasing the number of jobs on both dairy farms and dairy processing facilities.

The dairy processors are excited about their new products, and have plans to introduce even more varieties of cheese and yogurt to their product lines. In fact, one of the processors is already gearing up to make cheddar cheese and cream cheese. The processors are also getting ready to increase existing cheese and yogurt production even more — three of the plants are expecting to increase their daily milk purchases by 7,000 liters. ]]> successStorie_more_04.html 01.08.2009 baby_heart_ss_01.jpg <![CDATA[Listening to a Baby’s Heartbeat]]> Listening to a Baby’s Heartbeat

While expecting her third child, Dr. Tole Frrenaj was for the first time able to hear her baby’s heartbeat. Now, using a fetal Doppler instrument donated by USAID, Tole can monitor her and other women’s babies hearts in their early stages of development.

As part of its efforts to improve Kosovo’s healthcare system, USAID is helping health workers obtain equipment, information and training in prenatal care.

Previously, Tole had only used a fetal Doppler instrument during her university training. Now, in addition to giving her patients routine pregnancy examinations, she can also listen to the fetal heartbeat, monitor any changes during the baby’s development and recommend treatment based on the equipment’s findings — all during the very early stages of her patients’ pregnancies.

"As a mother," says Tole, "listening to your baby’s heartbeats in the initial weeks of your pregnancy is same as listening to the first cry of your newborn baby. And as doctor by listening I can monitor the development and heart condition of the baby not born yet."

Kosovo has one of the highest infant mortality rates in Europe at 35 deaths per 1,000 live births — a rate two to three times higher than in the neighboring countries. Despite a significant rise in the percentage of attended births over the past decade, infant mortality rates have not dropped. In some areas of Kosovo, almost half of the infant deaths occur before the baby reaches 27 days old. Careful monitoring, nutrition and prenatal care will help reduce those numbers. ]]> successStorie_more_05.html