Speeches Shim
Before USAID’s Justice System Strengthening program (JSSP), courts in Kosovo accepted cases without doing a basic validity check to ensure that all core documents were included before filing. This led to many cases being stuck in courts for years, only to be returned later for lack of documents or payment of the court fee, causing significant delays in access to justice for Kosovo’s citizens. To address this, USAID, introduced a screening process to maximize efficiency, where clerks now screen each individual case to ensure that all requirements are met before assigning a case number, whi
Kosovo entered a new phase of dispute resolution as a result of public health restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In mid-March 2020, Kosovo reduced its court services, limiting in-person hearings to only detention and domestic violence cases. Thousands of citizens with civil disputes continued to need case resolution but were left in limbo. With support from USAID’s Commercial Justice activity, Kosovo courts began introducing online mediation as an alternative way to resolve disputes.
The global pandemic and resulting obstacles did not stop Kosovo farmers from applying for and receiving agricultural grants to support their work. Even with restrictive measures such as curfews and social distancing, USAID through the Agriculture for Growth and Rural Opportunities activity rolled out 10 grants to Kosovo farmers during the height of the pandemic, in support of expanded value chains. The grants targeted farmers working to expand and intensify production in the following value chains: blueberries, raspberries, medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), and vegetables.
UNDP Kosovo completed the 18th edition of the USAID-funded Public Pulse survey during the height of the pandemic-related movement restrictions. After a quick adaptation of research methods, Public Pulse surveyed 1,306 Kosovo citizens through telephone interviews instead of face-to-face meetings. Survey respondents from all Kosovo municipalities answered questions regarding their perceptions of democratic processes and institutions in Kosovo, socio-economic conditions, security, environment, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The poll was conducted in March-April 2020, during the Kurti administra
All across Kosovo youth are finding creative ways to keep social distancing guidelines to only physical distancing. They are maintaining connections to their peers and providing virtual support to each other to prevent feelings of isolation. To capture and share these creative ideas, USAID’s Up to Youth activity encouraged participants to compete in an online competition sharing ways they are creatively spending their free time during the pandemic. Youth between the ages of 15 and 24, from all nine partner municipalities, were highly involved in the competition, submitting more than 200
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