Engagement for Equity empowers marginalized groups in Kosovo by providing grants and technical assistance to local Civil Society Organizations (CSO) that represent the interests of vulnerable and marginalized groups, and by strengthening the CSO’s ability to influence the development and implementation of policies affecting these communities. 

KEY ACTIVITIES

Engagement for Equity activity focuses on five themes:  (1) Improving women's participation in governance and economy; (2) Empowering women through awareness about their property rights; (3) Improving the situation of vulnerable populations; (4) Increasing the participation of people with disabilities (PWD) in decision-making and empowering them to advocate for their interests to the government; and (5) Encouraging youth active participation.  To date, USAID has awarded 74 grants through the Engagement for Equity activity.

KEY RESULTS

·     Program grantees have engaged over 1.5 million people in civic education on women’s property rights, women in governance and the economy, the prevention of violent extremism, improving the situation of vulnerable populations, and the rights of PWD. 
·     Property Index report produced that serves as a tool for policymakers, decision makers, and the entire public about the essential role of property rights in creating a prosperous economy and society.
·     Eleven municipalities established a platform of representatives from municipal authorities and civil society for the promotion and realization of women's property rights in the Serbian community.  The platform serves to fight against discrimination, promote women’s property rights, inform and raise awareness of women on their rights to inherit property.
·     Learning Brief produced from the attitudes of 400 women and youth from urban and rural areas that analyzes property and inheritance rights in Kosovo with a focus on women’s access to those rights from perspectives of legislation and implementation.
·     Over 30,000 youth engaged from high-risk communities for violent extremism through strategic communications and media, working groups, discussions, and theater performances.
·     Over 800 youth gained skills on participation, representation, and social skills, such as critical thinking, in-person and online training programs, and workshops.
·     Policymakers adopted 174 policy recommendations on women in governance and the economy, women’s property rights, vulnerable populations, PWD rights, and youth participation.
·   Establishment of social enterprise ‘Deshira’ to employ people with intellectual impairments, leading to economic independence for this vulnerable population. 
·     Support and strengthening of the LGBTI community in Kosovo, including organization of the first Pride Week in 2017.  Continued support for activities such as the Pride Parade, roundtables, and discussions on LGBTI rights with over 8,000 people participating.    
·     BIRN Kosovo awarded the four-episode documentary “The Sky is Turning on LGBTI rights” first place on human rights issues.
·     Teach For Kosova, as a part of the Teach for All network, created its first cohort with 17 fellows of highly effective teachers, who work to expand educational opportunities for students.  Four of the fellows come from the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities.
·     Five "Virtual Assembly" platforms incorporated in Peja-region municipalities that serve to facilitate the participation of youth in municipal budgeting and decision-making processes.
·     Adoption of critical secondary legislation, including:
·     National action plan for LGBTI rights;
·     Extension of administrative instruction that enables the free registration of joint property on behalf of both spouses;
·     Seat gained on the National Council for Economic Development for the Women’s Economic Forum;
·     Sexual harassment as a criminal act incorporated in Kosovo Penal Code;
·     Two municipality work plans for equal gender representation;
·      Administrative instruction that regulates the rights, procedures, and obligations of voluntary work;
·     Concept document on a comprehensive law for persons with disabilities, resulting in the drafting and approval process for the Law on Inclusiveness and Equal Treatment of Persons with Disabilities; 
·       Action plan for PWD in Pristina; 
·       Strategy of Women Entrepreneurs 2017-2022 in three municipalities;  
·       Action plan for preventing violent extremism leading to terrorism in Lipjan and Podujevo municipalities;
·       Four three-year municipality housing programs to better plan assistance for vulnerable families in need of social housing; and
·       The regulation on the registration procedures for social enterprises.

Project Duration:                   February 2015 - November 2020 

Partner:                                      Advocacy Training and Resurce Center (ATRC) 

Contact:                                     Luljeta Gjonbala