EU - Community Stabilization Programme III

The EU-Community Stabilization III project (EU-CSP III) is a programme funded by the European Union, managed by the European Union Office in Kosovo and implemented by International Organization for Migration Mission in Kosovo. EU-CSP III contributes to the stabilisation of minority communities by facilitating their access to economic opportunies and enabling the creation of sustainable livelihoods while simultaneously improving the living conditions in minority areas. Through these actions, the programme aims to enhance the conditions for members of minority communities to stay in Kosovo and to encourage those who have left to return.

The first two phases of the EU-Community Stabilization Programme (EU-CSP I and II) have been carried out from 2010 to 2015, supporting 512 new and existing micro-enterprises and contributing to the implementation of 145 community development projects, thereby creating and securing hundreds of jobs and providing business skills training to over 500 beneficiaries.

EU-CSP Phase III is to facilitate the creation and growth of an inclusive and robust national economy with full access to all communities in Kosovo ensuring their sustainable (re)integration, promoting community stability and cohesion, and reducing migration factors. The progamme is designed to address the needs of non-majorities to generate income and improve their living conditions. This is done through the provision of grants and technical assistance to members of these communities in order to establish micro enterprises and community improvement initiatives, specifically through project disbursement and business management/enhancement trainings.

What is EU-CSP III exactly doing?

• Provides support for the start-up of new and expansion of existing micro enterprises for economic and rural development in particular businesses that will promote and strengthen the sustainable reintegration of returning non-majority communities.
• Offers an opportunity to communities to improve living conditions by supporting community initiatives for wider community benefit working with community members and individual farmers and producers to explore opportunities for joint activity through creation and support to non-majority and inter-ethnic business associations.
• Supports innovative economically viable businesses that are able to clearly demonstrate economic viability and sustainability and offer employment and income-generating opportunities.
• Encourages the growth of market linkages between new businesses and existing enterprises.
• Makes available technical assistance to selected entrepreneurs to enhance their operational capacities for managing sustainable businesses.

The main target groups are members of non-majority communities including Serbian, Roma, Ashkali, Egyptian, Gorani, Bosniaks, Turks and Croats throughout Kosovo and Albanian Communities living in Northern Kosovo who: reside in Kosovo, who may be at risk of displacement due to their economic situation, and/or have returned through the EU-RRK programme. EU-CSP III is covering all 38 municipalities of Kosovo.

Key achievements of EU-CSP III up to date (as of September 2018):

• 174 Individual small business projects implemented and 24 in process.
• A total of 44 community-based projects were implemented and 8 in process.
• Type of projects: 124 Start-Ups and 65 existing projects.
• 144 secured jobs, 228 full-time, 166 seasonal/part-time were created and more than 58,957 indirect beneficiaries, those who benefit from better family incomes and community-based project initiatives. 
• Over 40% of the projects directly targeted vulnerable groups such as females, youths and persons with disabilities.

For more information, you can check the EU – Community Stabilization Programme phase III (EU-CSP III) Update.