Capacity Building of IDP Associations in Kosovo

23 March 2007

The Danish Refugee Council Western Balkans (DRC WB), together with UNDP offices in Serbia, Kosovo and Montenegro, embarked on a new regional initiative to improve capacities and advocacy skills of IDP associations.

On March 15, 2007, DRC WB signed a first contract with UNDP Kosovo for the implementation of the Regional Initiative for Capacity Building to Kosovo Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Associations in Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo. This new project has been entirely funded by the UNDP Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, located within the UNDP Headquarters in New York.

The Regional Initiative which has received US$470,000 in funding aims to address both the current and evolving needs of Kosovo � IDPs wherever they are displaced in the region through enhanced cooperation with IDP Associations and improved coordination among all stakeholders involved in supporting the Returns Process in Kosovo.

Up to 8 IDP Associations representing ethnic groups from Kosovo will be selected through a public competition process to participate in the 9-month project and benefit directly from the capacity building offered to the associations via the activities. IDP associations will participate from Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo and will have an opportunity to travel to Kosovo to meet with all associations who will be selected to participate in this initiative. The project will therefore directly reach and involve the final beneficiaries via the inclusion of their associations and will further build their capacities to find permanent solutions to their displacement situation.

The project will also indirectly support the wider implementation of a number of UN Millennium Development Goals in Kosovo and in particular those relating to the reduction of poverty empowering women and providing improved access to educational opportunities for all internally displaced persons.