In Kosovo, IFP/SKILLS implements the project “Skills development for the reconstruction and Recovery of Kosovo” financed by the Italian Government. The project started in February 2001 for 3 years, with a budget of US$1.8 million.

The Kosovar economy is facing two challenges: recovery from the structural damages of conflict and the transition to a market economy. The reconstruction and recovery of Kosovo largely depends on the development of its people and the reduction of unemployment and underemployment. The aim of the project Skills Development for the Reconstruction and Recovery of Kosovo, funded by the Italian Government, is the establishment of a training delivery system for adult unemployed and workers, as well as capacity building to strengthen Kosovar labour-related institutions in the provision of counselling, guidance and other assistance to the unemployed. To increase employability, flexible demand-driven training is provided both in technical and self-employment skills, either within training institutions or on-the-job. Programmes are firmly competency-based and designed to provide various levels of skill training in priority jobs and selected occupational sectors, including employability skills. The project strategy addresses immediate needs related to the absence of the infrastructure for the delivery of training and retraining programmes, and builds the foundations for long-term sustainability of adult training interventions. The direct beneficiaries of the project are management and staff of the Vocational Training Institutions, as well as staff from the Central, Regional and Municipal Employment Service involved in training and retraining programmes. Ultimate beneficiaries also include demobilized soldiers, youth unemployed, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. Gender mainstreaming and equality of training and employment opportunities are promoted throughout the implementation of project activities involving both direct and ultimate beneficiaries (selection of trainers, employment staff to be included in training programmes, gender training component in each programme, guidelines for the selection of trainees, etc.).