IOM has received five million Euros from the European Commission
Liaison Office to carry out the Beautiful Kosovo Project.

The 30-month project, to be implemented in partnership with the
Danish Refugee Council, will focus on fostering economic
development and poverty reduction through increased economic
opportunities for Kosovo's vulnerable population, including women,
youth, persons with disabilities and ethnic minorities.

The project will provide support to create some 1,160 short- and
medium-term employment opportunities in local public companies and
small and medium enterprises; provide vocational training for
vulnerable groups and the unemployed and will improve urban
infrastructure through public works projects.

In 2008, Kosovo had an estimated GDP per capita of €1,855.
Projections for 2009-2012 suggest GDP will grow at an average rate
of 4.6 per cent per year.  Despite substantial assistance from
the European Union and other donors, the unemployment rate in
Kosovo remains the highest in the Balkans and in Europe at around
43 per cent in 2009.  Because of its very young population,
Kosovo’s labour market is strained each year by thousands of
young people entering the labour market.

IOM Kosovo Chief of Mission Jorge Baca Vaughan said: "It’s
time to invest in the future of these vulnerable communities. This
new project, as well as the ongoing IOM-managed EU Community
Stabilization Programme, has the means to rapidly and effectively
stimulate the economic empowerment of marginalized groups in
Kosovo."

The project activities will carried out in 10 municipalities:
Pristine/Pristina, Gracnica/ Gracanica (Centre), Prizren,
Dragash/Dragaš (South), Klinë/Klina, Peja/Pe? (West),
Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, Zubin Potok / Zubin Potoku (North),
Gjilan/ Gnjilane, and Shtërpcë/Štrpce (East).

For more information please contact:

Bekim Ajdini

IOM Pristina

Tel: +377 45 322 870

E-mail: "mailto:bajdini@iom.int">bajdini@iom.int 

or

Faton Kelmendi

Tel: +377 44 234 132

E-mail: "mailto:fkelmendi@iom.int">fkelmendi@iom.int