With the signing of the contract for the construction of houses, IOM has initiated the process of return and reintegration of an additional fifteen displaced families to Kosovo. The construction of houses marks the successful completion of the pre-return activities, during which the displaced families were given the opportunity to visit their places of origin, as well as meet with municipal officials for a debrief on a wide range of issues related to infrastructure, service delivery, development perspectives, and income generation.

The return of fifteen displaced families will be realized under the framework of the Return and Reintegration in Kosovo V (RRK V) Programme, and reflects the long-term partnership between IOM Kosovo, the EU Office in Kosovo, and the Ministry for Communities and Returns in the joint efforts to create a stable multi-ethnic society conducive for sustainable return and integration for displaced persons and refugees who freely choose to return to Kosovo.

“The overarching goal of the Programme is to enable actors in Kosovo to implement a dignified, sustainable return and reintegration based on the experience of several hundred displaced families in the previous phases for achieving durable solutions for persons displaced within Kosovo and in the region,” Programme Manager, Faton Kelmendi said.

Since 2017, the IOM, as the implementing partner, has supported the return and reintegration of 377 families throughout the implementation of the fifth phase. 

The RRK V Programme provides beneficiaries with more than just reconstruction and housing assistance. The returnees also receive a comprehensive, coordinated, harmonized assistance package, along with assistance in generating income for their families. In addition, the programme funds small-scale community-based infrastructure projects that focus on meeting the urgent needs of returnees and the receiving communities.