The OPED organization was founded in 2017, driven by the need to raise a strong citizen voice for environmental issues in the village of Orllan, Podujeva municipality. This area, with significant tourism potential, suffered from a lack of drinking water supply and insufficient citizen awareness of its potential.
In line with the organization’s development and expanding scope, this year the organization changed its name from “Rule of Democracy in Kosovo” to the Organization for Partnership Engagement and Development (OPED), better reflecting its vision for broad engagement in partnerships and inclusive development. This rebranding occurred as the previous name was no longer deemed adequate.
OPED has received organizational support from the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) multiple times, enabling increased visibility and continuous organizational development.
Through prior organizational support received from KWN, OPED drafted its organizational strategy, with the strategic goal of increasing institutional accountability and democracy at the local level.
Due to the lack of women’s organizations in Podujeva municipality, the idea of forming a forum (or similar initiative) arose from the absence of municipal hearings on gender-responsive budgeting and a collective lack of awareness.
A key outcome of the latest initiative supported by KWN was the creation of the Women’s Forum for Local Development. During this initiative:
Three public meetings on gender budgeting were held in Podujeva, Shtime, and Dragash.
Approximately 30 women publicly expressed their needs for a fairer allocation of the municipal budget.
A work plan for the Forum was drafted, aiming to strengthen dialogue between women and local institutions, as well as partnerships with potential donors.
Logos and branding were created for the Forum and for two women’s businesses, providing them with identity and increased visibility.
Today, the Women’s Forum operates as an independent NGO and has secured its first grant from the municipality of Podujeva, while OPED continues to support it with expertise and mentorship.
As part of this support, OPED has contributed to increasing the visibility of women engaged in economic activities; the organization developed branding for these women’s activities, specifically for two of them and for the Women’s Forum itself.
Among the organizational supports from KWN was also the enhancement of the organization’s capacities and sustainability. The first organizational support led to the drafting of the strategy and the human resources manual. The latest support resulted in the financial manual and the organization’s active and functional website.
The launch of the website has contributed to increasing the organization’s credibility and strengthening the capacities of the organization and the work it carries out.
Increased Capacities and Organizational Sustainability
With KWN’s support, OPED has significantly advanced in its internal structuring and development. In the initial phases, the organization’s strategy and human resources manual were drafted, while later the financial manual was prepared and the organization’s official website was launched, which has increased credibility and transparency in communication.
Furthermore, OPED has contributed to increasing the visibility of women involved in economic activities in Podujeva municipality, including in agribusiness, handicrafts, and traditional food production. Women have become active participants in the Women’s Forum and are represented through a program plan that aims to empower them economically, provide information, and build partnerships with local institutions and donors..
