18 grants recipients of a total of 16 grants from the 13th grant round of Kosovo Women’s Fund (KWF) of Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), have been officially announced.

This happened today on Thursday, 24 October when KWN organized the Orientation Session and the Press Conference to officially announce recipients of these grants, the total amount of which is 66,429.50 €.

These grants, two of which are partnerships, are funded by European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo and Austrian Development Agency (ADA).

By supporting these women-led organizations’ initiatives, KWF contributes to positive changes that can happen in society. The implementation of these initiatives contributes to implementing KWN’s Strategy 2019-2022, which was compiled and approved in accordance with KWN’s member organizations.

During the first part of the meeting, Diellza Olluri, KWN Coordinator, shared detailed information regarding the process of narrative and financial reporting, as well as how to create and maintain a monitoring and evaluation database, which will facilitate beneficiaries during the reporting process throughout the implementation of these projects.

Igballe Rogova, KWN Executive Director, during the Press Conference highlighted that “The main purpose of the Fund is to jointly implement the Kosovo Women’s Network Strategy, and you already know that we have the new Strategy 2019-2022 for which we still have a lot of work to do. Given the motivation and commitment you have shown, indeed, it is you who are implementing it. I am confident that we will implement the strategy above 98 percent, and I am confident that we will succeed together again.”

Annette Fath Lihic, Chief Political Adviser/Executive Coordinator of EU Office in Kosovo, EU Special Representative has appreciated KWN’s work toward advancing women’s position in the society.

“We know how hard you have worked throughout all this time and EU is proud of continuing its financial support for such projects and contribute toward advancing women’s situation,” said Lihic.

Arsim Aziri, Head of Administration and Advisor Private Sector, Austrian Development Agency (ADA) said that gender equality should be included in every activity.

“This is the 13th round so far, and we are happy to continue cooperating with KWN. ADA supports KWN in other projects as well, such as activities improving the situation of women and girls, for their interests, for inclusion in politics, their strengthening in politics, and in achieving gender equality. Just like your member organizations, ADA is also focused and pays close attention to include gender equality in every activity and project that we support”, said Aziri.

KWN and its member organizations signed contracts for grants, as following:

Advocacy Grants for a Single Organization:

• Active Women of Gjakova with the initiative “Development of a sustainable inter-institutional system for addressing gender-based violence and domestic violence in the municipality of Gjakova” (3,496.00€, supported by ADA)
• NVO “Svet Andjela” with the initiative “Women in focus” (4,000.00€, supported by EU)
• Initiative of Kosovar Woman with the initiative: “Improved access of women farmer and entrepreneurs of Gjakova Municipality to municipal subsidies” (3,760.00€, supported by ADA)
• Down Sindrom Kosova with the initiative: “The kitchen X21” (3,980.00€, supported by ADA)
• Kosovo Advocacy Group with the initiative: “Participation of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian women in policy-making” (4,985.00€, supported by EU)
• Udruženje Poslovnih Žena WBA with the initiative: “Gender Equality Index in Local Self-Government in North Mitrovica” (4,997.00€, supported by EU)
• Network of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Women’s Organizations of Kosovo with the initiative: “Promoting employment by improving soft skills for Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian women in Gjakova” (3,000.00€, supported by ADA)
• The Organization Lulishtja with the initiative: “Advocacy for Economic Empowerment of Women Farmers in the villages of Highlands of Gollak” (3,080.00€, supported by ADA)
• Hareja Organization with the initiative: “Do not be silent- Speak Up” (3,140.00€, supported by ADA)
• Moravski Biser with the initiative: “The harmonization of traditional inheritance norms with the legal framework” (3,387.00€, supported by ADA)
• Organization for local reforms “Euloc” with the initiative: “Promotion of gender responsible budgeting in local government in Viti) (4,990.50€, supported by EU)
• Association for Education and the care of family with the initiative: “Increasing the efficiency of social services through the provisions of the Istanbul Convention” (3,420.00€, supported by ADA)
• Art Without Limit with the initiative: “International Movie Festival for people with disabilities” (3,750.00€, supported by ADA)
• United Women’s Association with the initiative: “Fair advocacy for women’s employment” (3,020.00€, supported by ADA)

Networking for Change Grants:

• Udruzenje Zena Nas Dom & Women’s Centre for Rural Development with the initiative: “Partnership for Development (of women’s entrepreneurship development-friendly environment)” (7,614.00€, supported by ADA)
• The organization Rikotta & Women’s Centre “ATO”: “Economic empowerment and capacity building of women in Prevalla and surrounding villages” (5,810.00€, supported by ADA).

Currently, KWF has two other open calls. One of them is the Call for Applications within the 14th grant round of KWF, which is only available for KWN member organizations, which you can access online HERE. The other one is the call for Furthering Women’s Labour Rights, which is open for all civil society organizations from Kosovo and the region too, which you can find online HERE.

KWN’s Kosovo Women’s Fund offers small grants for women’s organizations that lack of other funding opportunities and that want to work for women’s rights, especially groups working in rural areas and\or with marginalized persons. Since 2012, KWF has distributed 160 grants, supported 84 organizations, totalling 753, 747.46 €. It has had more than 20,855 beneficiaries. In 2019, the Kosovo Women’s Fund is receiving support from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), European Union and UN Women.

Watch a live streaming of this event HERE.