Even though women in Kosovo are increasingly active in business, unequal access to property rights prevents them from fully realizing their potential. Property is fundamental to starting and operating any enterprise, but due to a complex combination of a lack of awareness and/or cultural taboos around women exercising their equal inheritance rights, women in Kosovo often do not have the means to acquire the assets or office space needed to start their own businesses.
Balton Derguti, Director of Economy and Tourism for the municipality of Ferizaj, is a young and energetic Kosovan professional, who is committed to make a difference.
Balton, who attended a USAID-supported workshop to connect the local private sector with municipal officials, recognized women’s enthusiasm and saw a way to help. He successfully advocated for the establishment of a municipal grants program that is dedicated to supporting women-owned businesses. The program offers support to women entrepreneurs who operate from their houses because many of them are unable to acquire property or lack the financial means to operate from an office or shop. “[This] initiative empowers women economically. It also encourages women to demand their property rights, which can help secure their financial freedom,” Balton noted.
Considering the broader challenges to women’s property rights, Balton believes that the trend for claiming inheritance rights is shifting with the younger generation, although older generations still need support to secure their property rights and access needed financing.
The workshop Balton attended was sponsored by USAID’s Property Governance Activity, which bolsters locally-led solutions to property ownership challenges in Kosovo. By putting local stakeholders and the private sector in the driver’s seat, USAID is facilitating a sustainable development approach leading to women’s empowerment, economic growth and improved livelihoods.
TetraTech for USAIDKosovo