Backstopping of Caritas Switzerland in Kosovo

Caritas Switzerland is involved in Kosovo in reconstruction and development cooperation since 1999. Today, improving the living conditions and livelihoods of ethnic minorities as well as fostering the peaceful coexistence and the collaboration between different ethnic groups in villages of the Prizren, Dragash, Strpce and Gjakova municipalities (Southern Kosovo) are the principal object of it’s support. Within the scope of community building processes, projects targeted at infrastructure improvements are also identified and prioritized. Electricity supply, water supply and sanitation as well as social infrastructure projects (schools, kindergarten, training spaces, community centres) are supported through advisory services, financial contributions and advocacy targeted at municipalities and potential donors.

Since early 2007, Skat assists Caritas Switzerland in the appraisal, planning, implementation and follow-up of village-level water supply, sanitation and hygiene projects. Within this partnership, Skat complements the technical competencies and sector knowledge available in the country programme by providing thematic support to the local Caritas office in Prizren and the Kosovo desk at the agency’s head office through advisory services from the desk and regular backstopping missions to the field.