For many years, Kosovo’s citizens suffered from the absence of an effective and inclusive property rights framework. Difficult access to and unclear property titles, differing legal practices, and protracted court procedures discouraged domestic and foreign investment. Women often did not register their property under their names, and long-held societal norms encouraged them to renounce their inheritance in favor of male heirs. As a result, a disproportionately small number of women own property in Kosovo, creating far-reaching repercussions for women’s economic, social, and political inclusion.

To support the evolution of Kosovo’s property rights regime in recent years, USAID MissionDirector Lisa Magno joined Minister of Justice Abelard Tahiri on April 25 to mark the first meeting of the National Property Rights Strategy (NSPR) Steering Committee. The Committee, which is comprised of representatives from 13 government institutions, oversees implementation and changes to the NSPR, and facilitates coordination among stakeholders. At the meeting, committee members prioritized activities for 2019, explored linkages with the national Economic Reform Program, and updated its action plan.

Over the last five years, USAID’s Property Rights Program (PRP), which officially closed in April 2019, supported the Government of Kosovo in developing the NSPR and the NSPR Action Plan—two milestone achievements in institutionalizing a more inclusive and modern property rights framework. As part of PRP, USAID addressed a wide variety of property-related issues, including revising legislation, promoting better handling of property cases in courts, and raising awareness among citizens.