European Union Regional Economic Development – EURED, was launched in late 2009 and is strongly supported by the European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo – ECLO. EURED establishes framework for reconciliation and community cooperation.
EURED provides a platform for participatory policy making and sets direction and priorities for the future development and the prosperity of five economic regions in Kosovo. Each economic region is covered by a highly active Regional Development Agency – RDA.
Regional Development Agencies: RDAs are founded in December 2008 as inter-municipal institutions to act and function as coordinators and drivers of development activities in the respective economic regions.
Key tasks of the RDAs are: elaboration of the Regional Economic Development Strategies in cooperation with Partnerships, and providing support to potential applicants for European Commission related grants. The implementation of the strategies will be carried out by the RDAs and their partners; a full review and revision of the Strategies has been planned for 2012/2013 in line with economic development policy in Kosovo.
The five agencies are as following:
- RDA South working with 6 municipalities: Dragash/Dragaš, Malishevë/Malisevo, Mamushë/Mamuše, Prizren, Rahovec/Orahovac, and Suharekë/Suva Reka.
- RDA Centre working with 7 municipalities: Gllogoc/Glogovac, Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje, Obiliq/Obilic, Graçanicë/Gracanica, Podujevë/Podujevo, Pristina and Shtime/ Stimlje
- RDA North working with 4 municipalities: Mitrovica, Skënderaj/Srbica, Vushtrri/ Vucitrn and Zubin Potok.
- RDA East working with 11 municipalities: Novobërdë/Novo Brdo, Kamenicë/ Kamenica, Ferizaj/Urosevac, Gjilan/Gnjilane, Kaçanik/Kacanik, Shtërpcë/Strpce, Viti/Vitina, Han i Elezit/Ðeneral Janković, Kllokot/Klokot, Ranillug/Ranilug and Partesh/Parteš.
- RDA West working with 5 municipalities: Istog/Istok, Deçan/Decani, Junik, Klinë/Klina and Pejë/Pec.
Grant Schemes: The European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo provides substantial assistance to the EURED process through a range of grant schemes:
- Regional grant scheme of €7.4 million aimed at supporting the development of business and environmental infrastructure in the five economic regions - Centre, East, North, West, and South, as an incentive for the implementation of the EURED process.
· Rural Grant Scheme of € 5 million, which provides financial assistance for processing industries to upgrade their facilities and the quality of their products.
· Grants for Cross Border Cooperation (CBC) between Kosovo and its neighbours: Albania , Montenegro
· Grants of € 1,7 million aimed at strengthening the role of civil society in promoting human rights and democratic reform, supporting conflict prevention and consolidating political participation and representation in Kosovo
· In 2011 another grant of an estimated € 5 million will keep on supporting the development projects in the regions of Kosovo. Other European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo relevant grants, such as "Beautiful Kosovo", have incorporated the EURED approach into their design and development.
Technical support: A key element of EURED functions is the capacity building programme. International and national experts, in a dynamic mixed team, assist authorities, partnerships and RDAs in developing the skills and competencies for a full and proper implementation of the regional development approach. The capacity building programme targets human resources needs by ongoing coaching and on the job training. The coaching programme helps preparing all relevant stakeholders in Kosovo to play an effective role in regional development. Through the technical support, RDAs as well are assisted in their main tasks in order to enhance their performance.
