PROJECT TITLE:

Beautiful Kosovo Programme II

OVERALL OBJECTIVE:

To contribute to poverty reduction through the enhancement of economic opportunities for Kosovo's population, especially the most marginalized and vulnerable groups.

LOCATION:

Kosovo

SECTOR:

Economic Development / Tourism / Youth / Community Development / Construction / Labor and Social Welfare / Sport / Transport

BENEFICIARIES:

Kosovo Municipalities

DURATION:

01/December/2013 - 30/June/2016

VALUE:

5,000,000 EUR

PURPOSE:

1. Improved urban and social infrastructures in the selected municipalities according to identified municipal and regional priorities. 2. Reduced number of long-term unemployed in the short term and increased employability through work experience gained for selected beneficiaries.

RESULTS:

1. Parameters for ensuring a coordinated and participatory approach to project activities established during the project cycle. 2. Selected municipalities have the technical and financial support to have small and medium scale infrastructure projects implemented in accordance with their identified immediate needs and in line with transparent and efficient procurement rules. 3.Short-term jobs for long-term unemployed beneficiaries and vulnerable groups created.

STRATEGY:

The project will be implemented by IOM who has established a team consisting of a program manager, team leader, civil engineers and architects as well as administrative support staff. The IOM team will closely work with RDAs to help municipalities on developing project concepts that fit the criteria set in the guidelines for the call for proposals. IOM and RDAs will organise technical information session for each region in order to clarify any questions that municipal focal points might have related to procedures for applying in the call for proposals. The guidelines allow for each municipality to propose up to three projects of different size: small, medium and big within the set thresholds €50k to €200. The projects proposed should be related to renovation of public buildings, sports and youth recreational sites, cultural heritage, environmental projects/ green areas, river beds, etc. Upon selection of projects proposed by municipalities, the IOM team will prepare technical specs and related tender dossiers for procurement of works and supplies with local companies. Each project has to ensure that min 30% of the project value is dedicated to human resources which should include beneficiaries identified by Employment centres. The projects have to ensure inclusion of vulnerable groups and youth amongst longterm unemployed persons that will be selected by Employment Centres.

ACTIVITIES:

1.1. Create Project Steering Committee (PSC) to coordinate activities to be implemented under the present action. 1.2. Develop and refine application package to guide municipalities in the project proposal development. 1.3. Organize launching event of Call for Proposals for municipalities. 1.4. Create Project Identification Committees to support municipalities during the development of the project proposals at regional level, including strengthening of municipal official’s capacities in developing competitive proposals. 1.5. Evaluate and select of projects submitted within the Call for Proposals for municipalities. 2.1. Develop and sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between EU Office in Kosovo, MLSW, IOM and selected municipalities. 2.2. Assist the municipality in the preparation of project designs, technical specifications, bill of quantities and other relevant documents for selected projects, including strengthening of municipal official’s capacities in designing projects respecting EU standards. 2.3. Carry out tendering process, including selection of local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to implement selected projects and sign respective contracts. 2.4. Implement small and medium infrastructure projects to improve urban public areas and social infrastructures. 2.5. Monitor the implementation of the infrastructure projects throughout the project implementation. 3.1. Identify potential beneficiaries to be enrolled in the project implementation in close coordination with Employment Centres. 3.2. Monitor the implementation of the employment component throughout the project implementation.