UNOPS has been active in Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244/99) since 1999, helping partners achieve their goals in areas such as economic development, education, health, environment, justice, mine action and post conflict rebuilding of infrastructure and livelihoods.
UNOPS in Pristina services include project management, administrative support, procurement and fund management.
Humanitarian relief and recovery
UNOPS in Pristina has supported the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), implementing large-scale projects to rebuild destroyed houses, rehabilitate factories, construct or repair electricity and water supply systems, and reconstruct roads.
In Skenderaj/Srbica, for example, UNOPS in Pristina re-equipped a brick factory, procuring and installing electricity generators and heavy machinery, and refurbishing offices and other facilities for the workers. For UNMIK and UNDP, UNOPS in Pristina has implemented and supported projects across Kosovo, providing much needed shelter and electrical supplies to thousands of households.
In implementing the Mitrovicë/Mitrovica initiative for UNMIK, UNOPS in Pristina helped improve living conditions through a variety of measures aimed at the reconstruction, stabilization and development of the municipality. Activities included improving infrastructure (such as electricity and water supplies, and street lighting), facilitating access to public services, developing local capacity and administering small grants for business development. UNOPS in Pristina also managed for UNMIK the rehabilitation of regional employment centres and buildings for pensions administration.
Justice and reconciliation
UNOPS in Pristina supported efforts to promote reconciliation within and between Kosovo’s ethnic groups. One such effort was the UNDP Conflict Prevention and Reconciliation project, which strengthened village leadership and mitigated tensions by encouraging local people to collaborate in the reconstruction of their houses.
On behalf of the European Union, UNMIK and the Government of the United States of America, UNOPS in Pristina provides project management and administrative support to the Appointment of Judges and Prosecutors project. The project supports establishment of an independent and professional judiciary and prosecution service to administer Kosovo’s justice system professionally and transparently, building public confidence and trust in the rule of law. UNOPS in Pristina administers merit-based vetting and selection of some 500 judges and prosecutors across Kosovo.
Environment
Efforts to restore the urban and rural environment in Kosovo have an important effect on the local quality of life. UNOPS in Pristina has supported various projects, including managing the complete rehabilitation of the City Park in Prishtina/Pristina, procuring waste management equipment for selected municipalities and administering the testing and analysis of pollution from power plants.
Mine Action
UNOPS provided mine action support for UNMIK in 1999-2001 to address the severe landmine problem inherited from conflict in the 1990s. Learn more about UNOPS Mine Action work.
Education
On behalf of UNMIK, UNOPS in Pristina has implemented projects to improve educational opportunities for children in Kosovo. Initiatives include rehabilitating schools and equipment to meet European standards and creating twenty school bus operations in minority enclaves throughout Kosovo where students previously lacked access to education due to poor transport or security problems.
Governance
During the first years after 1999 UNOPS acted as procurement agent for UNMIK to support the immediate needs of UNMIK departments. UNOPS issued purchase orders and contracts worth more than €19 million with international and local suppliers and contractors.
For UNDP, UNOPS in Pristina managed the Local Governance Programme, which developed five development agenda documents to coordinate donor assistance and facilitate transparent resource allocation, helping identify funding gaps. With additional UNMIK funding 12 more local development agendas were prepared.
In the field of human rights, UNOPS in Pristina's activities included administrative and management support to the Kosovo Property Agency in Kosovo, Serbia and FYR Macedonia. The agency collects, processes and solves claims relating to privately held agricultural, commercial and residential property. UNOPS in Pristina also manages the UNMIK Civilian Police and the Kosovo Police project, which rehabilitates and builds holding cells in twenty-two police stations to ensure they meet international human rights standards. And UNOPS in Pristina supported development of public broadcast media, building capacity and setting up broadcast facilities and infrastructure.
Health
UNOPS in Pristina's health sector support has included procuring drugs and equipment for medical facilities, repairing a university clinic in Prishtina/Pristina, and providing specialized training in emergency medicine in Kosovo and elsewhere in the region. UNOPS in Pristina rehabilitated the Emergency Cardiology Centre in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, procuring specialized equipment and the training of medical and paramedic staff. In addition UNOPS in Pristina acts as the Local Fund Agent for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis in Kosovo.