Kosovo Newsroom

2013

• May 20: Donors Pledge Millions to Kosovo Energy Sector. 
  International donors came together in Pristina for a May 14th conference on sustainable energy for Kosovo.

• May 15: USAID Continues to Support Reform of the Judiciary in Kosovo. 
  USAID continues to assist the Kosovo Judicial Council and the Courts to Omplement their re-organization efforts to improve court efficiency and transperancy. 

• May 15: Kosovo Blueberries Have a Great Potential
  High-bush blueberries are a fast-emerging crop with bright future and great marketing opportunities in the region.

• April 26: Global Youth Service Day Celebrated in Kosovo
  Sports Center in Vushtrri/Vucitrn was bustling with youth on the morning of April 25th known as Global Youth Service Day.

• April 26: USAID Providing More Opportunities for Young Entrepreneurs
  Some 296 youngsters, all USAID grant beneficiaries, will be able to present their products and service at an Entreprenurs Fair in May, 2013.

• April 26: Kosovo Celebrates Earth Day. 
  Students and teachers of Elena Gjika, Naim Frasheri and Hilmi Rakovica schools in Pristina were enthusiastic to demonstrate their knoweldge and work about environment protection to citizens passing by Mother Teresa Street, the busines street in Pristina.

• April 17: A teacher from Zekeria Rexha school in Gjakova during the filming.
  Over the past two years, the USAID Basic Education Program has succeeded in establishing student technical support clubs at 22 Kosovo primary schools to maintain the schools’ digital equipment and to train other young people to do the same.
• April 8: USAID, Czech Development Agency to Assist Kosovo Minorities
  USAID and the Czech Development Agency have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide more educational opportunities for Kosovo’s Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian (RAE) community.
• April 2: USAID Encourages Child Literacy and Creativity in Kosovo
  As part of a broad program designed to improve basic education, USAID organized regional book-making workshops for teachers, most recently in Novo Brdo.
• March 27: Strengthening Rule of Law in Kosovo
  U.S. Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson, along with the head of Kosovo's Judicial Council Enver Peci, chief State Prosecutor Ismet Kabashi, and local court officials, have inaugurated renovations to the Rahovec/Orahovac courthouse.
• March 22: USAID Supports Commemoration of World Water Day, Kosovo
  The USAID Small Infrastructure for Water and Sanitation Program assisted the Government of Kosovo to publicize water conservation messages on March 22, which is World Water Day on the UN calendar.
• March 22: Citizens Work with Local Government to Improve Life for All
  The residents of Caglavica/Cagllavice village in Gračanica/Graçanicë municipality have improved the life in their community through good local governance and good citizen cooperation with local officials to identify needs and priorities.
• March 20: Promoting Effective, Transparent and Responsible Local Governance in Kosovo
  U.S. Charge d’Affaires Kelly Degnan addressed a conference in Pristina this week (March 20) on the importance of local government in investment and promotion and retention of businesses.
• March 20: Better Medical Care, Healthier Kosovo Children
  USAID Acting Mission Director Christopher Edwards and Kosovo’s Minister of Health Dr. Ferid Agani inaugurated a new pediatric emergency care facility on March 19, 2013 at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo in Pristina.
• March 19: Alternative Tourism Association Goes Mainstream
  A hospitality industry association supported by USAID is now functioning independently and has emerged as a major promoter of Kosovo as a tourist destination.
• March 8: On their way forward, Kosovo women pause to celebrate their successes
  On a day dedicated to women everywhere, approximately 50 of Kosovo’s most accomplished women entrepreneurs gathered to share stories of their successes, as well as the challenges they still face.
• March 1: Kosovo Companies Receive USAID Grants to Support Innovation
  On March 1, 2013, the Innovation Center Kosovo (ICK) recognized six startup companies for their innovative ideas in businesses. The awardees include an internet service provider, a developer of educational software for kids, and a developer of videogames for the Facebook, iOS, Android and Windows Phone platforms.
• February 28: Celebrating International Mother Language Day
  Children of all ethnicities in Kosovo joined in Prizren on February 21 to celebrate International Mother Language. The children participated in a bookmaking workshop organized under the auspices of USAID's Basic Education Program. Six different native languages were represented.
• February 20: Rock Entrepreneurial Social
  A monthly mixer has quickly become a must-attend event for young entrepreneurs seeking to build relationships, share knowledge and hear from experts (and live bands) in a relaxed and congenial atmosphere.
• February 14: Kosovo Municipalities Awarded for Good Performance
  New playgrounds, sidewalks, and street lights… these are a just a few of the projects that municipalities can implement to improve the lives of local residents.
• February 12: Ambassador Jacobson Visits USAID Projects in Vushtrri
  On Thursday, January 17, Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson visited two USAID projects as part of a day-long visit to the municipality of Vushtrri.
• January 31: USAID Launches Initiative to Improve Kosovo’s Largest Public University
  USAID and the University of Prishtina signed a Memorandum of Understanding on January 22 under which the Agency agreed to support reform efforts for the administrative functions of the Office of the Rector.

2012

• December 20: Community Spirit is Alive and Well in Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje
  On December 3, 2012, the community celebrated its latest success – a new public square in the city center.
• December 10:  Rocking with Young Entrepreneurs!
  If you’re interested in starting or expanding your own business, this is something you should know – USAID’s Young Entrepreneurs Program is sponsoring a special event on a Monday evening once a month to provide an opportunity for young entrepreneurs to exchange ideas, make contacts and get advice from business professionals
• October 3: Here They Come, First Graduates of New Kosovo Women’s Leadership Academy!
  Twenty-five women representing Kosovo political parties, civil society, business and media have graduated from the new Kosovo Women’s Leadership Academy
• October 1: Green School Garners Prestigious Award from Microsoft
  The Microsoft Corporation has named the Green School in Pristina, Kosovo the first Innovative Pathfinder School in the Balkan region.
• September 5: News Flash! Robots Seen in Kosovo Mountains!
  If you had been in the Rugova Valley recently, you would have seen more than just beautiful mountain scenery.
• July 30: New Kosovo-U.S. Government Partnership to Create Qualified Cadre of Future Leaders
  The U. S. Government and the Government of Kosovo have agreed to work together to establish a five-year, multi-million dollar higher education program in Kosovo, to be implemented by USAID.
• July 13: New Park Demonstrates Local Government Commitment to Clean Environment
  Community leaders and USAID representatives inaugurated a new park and playground on July 10, 2012 near the site of a former illegal landfill in the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac.
• July 12: Kosovo Municipalities Friendlier to Business!
  The second annual Municipal Competitiveness Index Survey conducted by the USAID Business Enabling Environment Program www.usaidbeep.org found that most municipalities had taken to heart the results of last year’s survey and undertaken reforms.
• July 10: Sometimes Retreat Is Good!
  When you’re trying to think creatively, strategically and collegially to accomplish important objectives, sometimes it helps to go through the process outside of the normal work environment.
• June 28: If You Care About Your Business, Use Written Contracts!
  Lots of people in Kosovo conduct business transactions solely on the basis of a handshake.
• June 13: We Did It, Kosova!
  On May 24, 2012 the people of Kosovo turned out in huge numbers - an estimated 70,000 volunteers for a nationwide environmental cleanup advertised as “Let’s Do It Kosova” Day.
• June 1: Improving Quality of Life in Non-Majority Communities of Northern Kosovo
  Residents of two communities in Leposavic are enjoying improvements to local infrastructure with the support of the American People.
• May 31: Technology Tools for Kosovo Schools!
  An exhibition Wednesday (April 25, 2012) in Pristina showcased new educational technology products that are available to schools from local business outlets.
• May 22: From Our Land to Our Table Says, "Buy Local!"
  Kosovo`s farmers and food processors produce wonderful local products using the freshest of berries, plums, peppers, and much more.
• May 21: Finding Solutions to a Well of Water Problems
  Kosovo has a lot of natural water, but getting it to people in need requires infrastructure and money.
• May 7: Giving Back to Community; Giving Back to the Planet
  Kosovo youth who believe they have the power to make a difference in their communities and in the world-at-large turned out for a variety of USAID-sponsored events in commemoration of Earth Day and Global Youth Service Day, 2012.
• April 19: Kosovo’s Innovative Teachers Take Third Prize!!!!
  hkendije Nagavci and Laura Pruthi, teachers from “Zekeria Rexha” primary school in Gjakova, received third place in the Teachers Prize at the European Innovative Educators Forum held March 23rd in Lisbon, Portugal.
• February 29: Partnering for Hands-on IT Access for Kosovo Students
  Many primary schools in Kosovo now have computers, but typically, they are desktops that are kept under lock and key in a laboratory, limiting access by teachers and students.
• February 8: Great New Playground in Center of Mitrovica North!
  The children of the Bishevac neighborhood of Mitrovica North now have a new playground right in their community.
• January 20: Winning Entries for “Junior Oscars”
  The USAID/Basic Education Program (BEP) (http://bep-ks.org/) is using project based learning to reform teaching and learning in schools throughout Kosovo, and one of the teaching tools is a video competition.