SUCCESS STORIES

FACTS & FIGURES help-kosovo.org ABOUT US COMPLETED PROJECTS

The Help Mission in the Republic of May 2015 – December 2015 Kosovo began its opera�on during the emergency phase in Kosovo in 2000. Project “Support to socio-economic stability through empowerment of micro business A�er several years of pausing with ac�vi- sector in Kosovo” �es in Kosovo, Help started with the Donor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the German Government, Ministry of Labour and project “Support to socio-economic Social Welfare of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, partner Municipali�es stability through empowerment of micro Loca�on: Republic of Kosovo business sector in Kosovo” in May 2015. Municipali�es: Prish�na, Mitrovica, Ferizaj, Graçanica, North Mitrovica, Leposaviq, Vushtrri, Gjakova and Gjilan. The overall objec�ve of the project is to contribute to the sustainable develop- January 2016 – December 2017 ment and the stability in targeted areas with the main focus on economic Project: “Support to socio-economic stability through empowerment of micro empowerment. The specific objec�ve: business sector in Kosovo – Migra�on Preven�on and Stabilisa�on” job crea�on through direct economic and Donor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the German Government, Ministry of Labour and educa�onal support to the micro Social Welfare of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, partner Municipali�es business sector in Kosovo. Loca�on: Republic of Kosovo Municipali�es of Prish�ne, Gracanice, Gjakove, Vushtrri, Gjilan, Mitrovica, North The project is financed through funds Mitrovica, Leposavic, Vushtrri, Peje, Prizren and Novobrdo. from the German Federal Foreign Office, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and partner municipali�es. It is implemented by Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe e.V. Kosovo. CURRENT PROJECT OUR PARTNERS

May 2017 – December 2018 • Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare • Ministry of Local Government Project: “Support to socio-economic stability in the western Balkans region Administra�on 2017-2018” • Municipality of Prish�na Donor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the German Government, Ministry of Labour • Municipality of Prizren and Social Welfare of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, partner Munici- pali�es • Municipality of Peja Loca�on: Republic of Kosovo • Municipality of Gjakova Municipali�es of Suhareka, Lipjan, Decan, Strpce, Istog, Gjakova, Gracanica, Mitro- • Municipality of Mitrovica vica and North Mitrovica. • Municipality of Ferizaj The overall objec�ve of the program is to increase the capacity of economically and • Municipality of Gjilan socially vulnerable groups to par�cipate more fully in society. • Municipality of Vushtrri Specific objec�ve of the program: Decreased levels of poverty among economically • Municipality of Suhareka vulnerable groups • Municipality of Istog The project components that will lead to the direct job crea�on of at least 240 regis- • Municipality of Deçan tered employees, thus contribute to the socio-economic stability in targeted areas, • Municipality of Lipjan are: • Municipality of Leposaviq - Grants for micro businesses - Business and voca�onal trainings • Municipality of Novo Brdo • Municipality of Graçanica • Municipality of Shterpce • Municipality of Mitrovica North

SIGNING COOPERATION SIGNING CONTRACTS WITH AGREEMENT CLIENTS

Mee�ngs with municipali�es are organ- The selected clients, will receive in-kind grant assistance in the form of equipment in the average ized at the very beginning of the project value of 2,000 EUR and appropriate business and implementa�on in order to confirm professional training. The grant contracts are signed planned ac�vi�es as agreed during the between Help and the selected clients, specifying project prepara�on phase. the rights and obliga�ons of each contractual party and condi�ons under which the transfer of In accordance with the previous experi- ownership will eventually take place. ences each municipality appoints Main obliga�ons are: repay 15% contribu�on; representa�ves to follow up and liaise register the business ac�vity in accordance with Kosovo legisla�on before receiving equipment, or in with the Help project team during the case the business is already registered to legally implementa�on of the project. INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS employ at least one person; func�onalize business In line with the planned ac�vi�es ac�vity within 3 months and a�end the training Coopera�on Agreements are prepared organized by Help. Informa�on campaigns are organized If the supported client fails to fulfill the above stated and sent to local partners for official and implemented in coopera�on with obliga�ons it will lead to the cancella�on of the approval and signature. project partners and relevant stakehold- contract and withdrawal of the donated equipment. ers as well as media representa�ves.

A number of open informa�on mee�ngs are organized for interested individuals.

The aim of the mee�ngs is to inform poten�al applicants about the project opportuni�es and target groups, to raise public awareness about the project and to present selec�on criteria. PURCHASE AND MONITORING AND DISTRIBUTION BUSINESS ADVICE

Purchase and distribu�on of equipment The main features to be monitored are the starts a�er the grant contracts with the following: training implementa�on, selected clients have been signed. The distribu�on of material inputs, start and prepara�on of tender documenta�on progress of the registra�on procedure, includes specifica�on of equipment and start-up and development of individual grouping the ar�cles for purchase. Distribu- businesses. �on of the equipment will be done accord- The most important task of Help Officers is ing to Help procedures accompanied by the follow-up and provision of addi�onal appropriate documents and in �mely assistance to the supported micro manner. The equipment for the clients is businesses. purchased from local companies, this Help Officers will have to maintain and contributes to further suppor�ng the local BUSINESS & VOCATIONAL update the clients’ files with all the economies in targeted areas. Distribu�on of TRAINING relevant informa�on necessary to evaluate the equipment for Help clients is followed their progress towards achieving the up by Help Officers. planned objec�ves. Each supported client gets the oppor- tunity to benefit from business and voca�onal training provided by Help Kosovo through accredited local service providers. The support is provided to all our clients to develop capaci�es and enhance the efficiency, thus crea�ng possibility for compe��ve perfor- mance and long-term profitability as a main goal. Training supports the entrepreneurs in overcoming obstacles and difficul�es encountered in their day to day ac�vi�es and provide them with addi�onal mo�va�on and incen�ves.

URIM VITAKU JELENA MARINKOVIĆ

He is a young den�st from Prish�na. He has She is a successful farmer from Graçanica. graduated for den�stry in EGE University in From Help Kosovo Jelena has benefited in Izimir. He has finished his prac�ce in Turkey purchasing of the equipment for milling of and in Kosovo. A�er four years, he felt that food for feeding animals, such as pigs and he is ready to open his own prac�ce. HELP chicken.“Equipment that i have now made it supported him with a dental chair, in order much easier for me because i have reduced to compliment his own den�stry. Apart costs and also eased my work in this ac�vity” from himself, he has managed to hire two other people.

ARTA SHEHU-ZAIMI

Programming Training for Children: jCoders is one of the Help’s successful clients in Prish�na, is established with a focus on educa�on, by offering a unique training program for the next genera�on of devel- opers.

A�er the training, students will be trans- formed from users of technology in creat- ing technology. By removing the burden of syntax, jCoders focuses on the program- ming logic.

Arta from Help received 10 Notebooks to start her business ac�vity. DENIZ TORTOSHI LORETA UKSHINI

He is a client from Prish�na, founder of Rolling Rabbits company. He is an experi- Loreta is a client from Prish�na who owns a enced Execu�ve Crea�ve Director with a small business called “I'M LU” (which stands demonstrated history of working in the for the name of Isa Mustafa & Loreta Ukshi- design industry. ni). They produce bags, wallets and pillow Help supported him with technology equip- covers with special design for all the ages. ment for the ac�vity. I'M LU benefited sophis�cated sewing machines from Help.

HANA QERIMI

She is a client from Prish�na, who found- ed "Shkolla Digjitale" Digital School in Prish�na together with Darsej Rizaj.

The main objec�ve of the business is to educate the youngsters from 7-18 on computer science and programming. The business started wit just 1,000 EUR which is a mo�va�on for others who want to create a start-up business.

Help Kosovo supported them in the very beginning of the project. Today the school numbers around 600 students and more than 20 employees in Prish�na and Ferizaj where this school is located. SAŠA ZIVIĆ MEBUSANE PACAK

She is a client from Prizren who works in Mr. Zivic has received food processor for prin�ng ac�vi�es for regular clients and also animals so he can produce the food for his different companies. Help Kosovo supported animals in the farm. Help organiza�on her with prin�ng equipment and other helped Saša to expand his farm and support technology equipment for the ac�vity. his family as well. Mostly designs business cards, leaflets etc. He is sa�sfied with the received equipment Her products can be plas�cized with sophis- which increased the capacity of the business �cated equipment received from Help and also eased the work. Kosovo.

LINDITA KRASNIQI

She is a young entrepreneur from Prish�na which has received a grant in 2015. She has received sewing machines with different func�ons, in order to open her own ac�vity.

She works with the produc�on of bed sheet sets (of different dimensions), pillows and covers, napkins and tablecloths for restau- rants and cafes.

Lindita is very sa�sfied with the equipment received which increased the capacity of the business and except for herself, she has also hired an addi�onal person. FISNIK BEKOLLI NJOMZA HAVOLLI-SELISHTA

Fisnik Bekolli has an experience of more Njomza is a young architect from Prish�na. than 20 years in gastronomy, now he manag- She has ini�ated start-up business called es a small business called “Bar Academy" in MUZA SHPK, with her colleague Fitore Syla Prish�na supported by Help. He has from University. received gastronomy equipment necessary They has received professional equipment for the business which increased the capaci- that was requested, and now her office has ty of the business and two employees. Help’s grant increased the capacity of the business services.

VULLNET SANAJA

Vullnet Sanaja togerther with Petrit Gora and Blend Beqiri from Peja are the organiz- ers of anima�on fes�val ''Anibar'' in Munici- pality of Peja. They have received technolo- gy equipment from Help. They also organize training of anima�on for youngsters of Peja and other Municipali�es with Professors from Kosovo and other foreign countries.

Their idea is to create a genera�on of anima- tors and designers. The fes�val occurs during the summers, there is an opportunity for many short animated movies and many youngsters are engaged in the ac�vi�es of this event. DONIKA MAKOLLI YLBER BRECA

Donika is a young graphic designer from He is the owner of the company "Breca" in Gracanica. She has recently graduated in Prish�na, who offers maintenance services Faculty of Arts, University of Prish�na, for for vehicles. Help supported his company Graphic Design. She has received an IMAC with professional li�ing equipment for and a professional printer which helped her vehicles which increased the capacity of the create a start-up business and offer profes- business and improved the services. He also sional services. has employed 2 people in the business. .

ILIRE LEPAJA

A graduate from University of Prish�na with a Master’s degree in Graphic Design. She has worked as a freelance designer for 10 years before she opened her own business. It took her three years to establish the shop that now sits just around the corner from the main building of the Kosovo Govern- ment. Unlike other souvenir shops, “Art e Zanat” which means Art & Cra�s, brings forth an alterna�ve for her costumers: an array of souvenirs inspired by Albanian mo�fs symbolizing some of Kosovo’s cultural heritage. Help Kosovo supported her with sophis�- cated prin�ng equipment for her business and she’s sa�sfied with the capacity of the business which makes her one of the most successful clients of Help. MILICA DIMITRIJEVIĆ FORMON

Milica Dimitrijevic and her husband Aleksan- Formon is a company that produces 3d dar Kapetanovic are the owners of car wash printers made in Kosovo. Help supported company “TUS” from Graçanica. Help Formon in the beginning of their ac�vity. Kosovo supported this small business with These youngsters are awarded with golden cleaning equipment which increased the price in ''A'Design Award & Compe��on'' in capacity of services, they’ve also employed 2017. You must follow their ac�vi�es and the one addi�onal worker projects implemented by Formon.

MILENKA PREMOVIĆ

Milenka is very specific not only for Leposavic municipality but for en�re Kosovo being the only female in the country that repairs motors of heavy machinery, an ac�vity that has helped her support her family for many years.

In recent years her son has joined her business ac�vity. Most of her clients are suppliers of mining industry Trepça, Help’s dona�on has enabled to increase the work- flow by working faster, and perform more qualita�ve work. FATOS GUBETINI FLORIM GASHI

He works wood decora�ons, such as clocks, Florim Gashi is a farmer from Mramor logos, symbols and other decora�on village in Prish�na. He received agriculture requested by his clients. He owns a small equipment from Help. He has a greenhouse business in Grand Store called "DG Design". where he cul�vates tomatoes, spinach, He is sa�sfied with the equipment received cucumbers and green salad. He generates from Help Kosovo which eased the work income during the whole year due to mixed and increased the capacity of produc�on. cultures. His main market is in Prish�na.

BERAT UJKANI

Berat is the founder of company Milingona dealing with web and app development. His products are mainly dedicated to interna- �onal market.

Business has started with two equipment donated by Help, an Apple sta�on (PC) and a laptop where Berat and his brother Vedat moved from Mitrovica South to Prish�na to develop their business.

Their main product is website templates introduced to the interna�onal pla�orms such as Themeforest. ZANA QERKEZI BESARTA ALIU

She comes from a family who are tradi�on- She is from Vushtrri, a young entrepreneur ally engaged in Fashion industry in Gjakova. who has opened a start-up business which Help Kosovo supported their business with offers different services such as decora�ve equipment such as iron for professional pillows, decora�ve boxes, watches, gi� ironing, industrial sewing machine, cards. Help supported her with equipment overlock. These equipment helped her work such as laptop, printer, furniture. She has easier and increase the capacity of services. engaged her family in the company.

QENDRESË HOXHA

Qëndresë Hoxha is the founder of the first healthy fast-food restaurant in Prish�na called “Green & Protein”. It is a concept that was designed from scratch. It is a to-go and sit-in food bar with a main focus in serving raw, healthy and fresh local food.

She said: ‘Being an entrepreneur is an extreme effort towards bringing more value to people’s life. I really appreciate and am grateful what ‘Help Kosovo’ has done for my business. The kitchen equip- ment we got from this grant has helped us be more efficient and develop the business further.” SVETISLAV TRAJKOVIĆ SUZANA SUSURI

He is a farmer from Graçanica who owns She is an experienced fashion designer from 15h of land. He is growing wheat and also Prizren, who engaged young students in maize and barley. He also has 6 cows and fashion design industry. She received two calves, he produces and sells cheese sewing equipment which increased the and milk. The client is very sa�sfied with the capacity of services. Her dresses are with equipment received from Help Kosovo tradi�onal mo�ves which awarded in which increased the capacity of produc�on. fashion interna�onal compe��ons.

ANKICA ĐORIĆ

Ankica is a client from Graçanica who is engaged in the business of Hairdressing. The business also offers other services such as waxing, manicure, pedicure, styling and make up for women.

Help Kosovo supported Ankica with neces- sary equipment such as: haircu�ng machine with digital adjustment, hair dryer, lamp for frying nails, leather rolling chairs, desk, hair straightener, hairdresser chair, lamp for drying nails, mirror, waxing bed. All these equipment are necessary for the business and helped her increase the number of clients and also develop the business. ARD HAXHIDAUTI BERAT SADIKU

Ardi is a young designer from Gjakova. In He is a young architect from Vushtrri, he the second edi�on of students compe�- established a start-up company together �on for design where a�ended more with his friend. Their specialty is design of than 40 students he wond the second residen�al and public building. They’ve place for the best design. Help supported applied for a 3D printer in order to print the him with technology equipment for his models and a professional printer for plans design ac�vi�es and blueprints for their projects.

QËNDRESË BYTYQI

She started her business with Help’s dona- �on with very few equipment which was sufficient for start as she managed to devel- op it with addi�onal equipment, invest in her store/workshop and hire employees.

Her main ac�vity is event planning with specializa�on in weddings and birthdays in addi�on to the decora�ons she sells in her store.

She has educa�on in design but before Help’s support she was unemployed. Help’s dona�on has helped her gain experience, develop herself as an ar�st and entrepre- neur and put herself in a market and make a brand with her name MEJREME BYTYQI GENT BERISHA

Kindergarten Foleja, with owner Mejreme He is an architect, owner of “Innarc”, he is with the obtained grant have expanded one of the young entrepreneurs who have capaci�es and improved the working condi- been part of the grant, he has received two �ons in the Kindergarten. Through Help she computers and office furniture for u�lizing received furniture and beds. Addi�onal of the design studio. Innarc is a crea�ve educators are employed in the company studio which conducts innova�ve services a�er the grant. in the field of architecture and design.

HYSNIJE GASHI

She is the owner of company “Tradita” located in prish�na, dealing with baking of tradi�onal food such as pies, tradi�on- al albanian food. Hysnije has managed to hire all her family members, a close rela�ves and neighbors.

Help has supported Hysnije with around 2000 euro grant for dough mixer, profes- sional oven for pies, working table with refrigerator and stainless-steel sink. This dona�on has mo�vated hysnije to invest in a small workshop and enlarge her produc�on capaci�es. A�er receiving help grant she has hired 3 full �me employees and 3 other working for her part-�me. ARTAN MIFTARI KALTRINA VITIJA

He is from Vushtrri, works in photographic She is the owner of “Kaltrina’s cakes”, the ac�vi�es, who started the business as a company produces cakes for different start-up, business is called “Art media”. This events. “Help supported me to begin with profession is everything to him it is a job this ac�vity and make it easier for me to that has to do with talent, determina�on, become a successful business I recommend ambi�on and confidence. Help supported other women to realize their idea and him with photographic equipment. convert their talent in a business”

NAFIJE AJETI

Nafije Aje� is the founder of the NGO “Women Farmers” from Sfeçel in Poduje- va in 2010. They are working with processing of vegetables such as peppers and tomatoes. They produce and sell conserved vegetables in different markets in Kosovo. 7 women from the region of Podujeva are engaged in the NGO. “I am very sa�sfied with the equipment from Help Kosovo, which supported us to work with great quality and ease our effort, I recommend women to try hard and do their best to organize different kinds of business.” she said. NGO “Women Farmers” is func�onal and is growing constantly, recently they were present in Interna�onal and Na�onal fairs in Kosovo. FARUK TEMO ASLLAN KRASNIQI

He is from Prizren, works as a manufacturer He is a client that produces sta�onery of machinery for food. He has started using materials for schools (notebooks, drawing the equipment donated by Help Kosovo papers, musical pentagrams and such). As and is sa�sfied with the quality of them. part of the grant that he has benefited is a Their market is mainly for Restaurant packaging machine for final products. He is because they offer services for equipment sa�sfied with the equipment received and such as meat mixers, machines and grills. is working to develop the business.

WOMEN FARMERS “KRUSHA E VOGËL”

Help Kosovo supported the coopera�ve of women farmers “Krusha e vogel” with work equipment such as milk cooling tank, milk storage container, pump for emptying and filling and scale-measurer. They are working with the maximum capacity.

They have contract with dairy company “ABI”. With the grant from Help Kosovo they were able to include 15 more farmers in the coopera�ve. Help Kosovo also offered voca�onal training in the field of milk and cheese producing. ROLAND KOSHI DURIM LAMA

Roland is from Prizren. He is involved in He is a woodworker from Gjakova. He service provision of food products. was supported with working equipment Through the grant of Help Kosovo the such as: Sta�onary Belt-Disc Sander, business has increased its capaci�es. telescope sander, metal chop saw, Lathe Help supported the business with for Metal with Electronic, scroll saw. He gastronomy equipment which eased the men�oned that the work now is much work and improved the services. more qualita�ve and easier than before.

ADNAN JAREMHOROZI

Adnan Jaremhorozi is a client from Prizren who is working as a shoemaker in a small business. The company produces shoes for men and women, which are great quality products. He used to work with old sewing machines before. “I am very sa�sfied with the equipment donated by Help Kosovo, now the work is much easier and the quality is much be�er” he said.

All the members of the family are engaged in the business from produc�on of shoes to the selling. Mainly the clients are from Prizren and visitors from Kosovo and tourists who visit Prizren. They plan to engage more employees in the company in the future. ERZA NILA ARTA HAZIRI-NUHIU

Erza is a young girl from Peja who Arta Haziri-Nuhiu comes from Gjilan. She received beekeeping equipment for her applied at Help for equipment for Sound ac�vity. recording and music publishing ac�vi�es. She is producing food for bees also she She now has improved the financial does the packaging and selling of the situa�on by working in her studio and has product, in the future she plans to all the equipment she needs for her produce self-designed packed honey. ac�vity called ''Mollëkuqet''

NEXHATI KOVACI

Mr. Kovaci is a beekeeper who is involved in beekeeping and has more than 150 bee hives of type DB. The products produced from beekeeping include: honey, bee wax pollen, propolis, and bee milk.

The equipment both through the grant program, have supported him a lot for beekeeping and he is quite sa�sfied with the new equipment, which has support- ed him to facilitate the work and improve the quality of the products. The consul- tancy provided from the expert, were mainly on how he should protect his bee hives from diseases, how to nutri�on them and some advice in promo�on of the products. YLL BOSHNJAKU GENTA ÇARKAXHIJA

He comes from Peja. Help supported him Genta comes from Peja. She offers Math with technology equipment and working course for High School Students. tools. He plans to expand the business and She has received informa�on technology employ one more person. Company works equipment necessary for her class. She with installa�ons, repair and maintenance plans to diversify the services that she of security services such as alarms, securi- offers in order to have more customers. ty cameras, interphones.

VALBONA SEJDIU

Valbona comes from Prish�na She is a mother of two children. From Help Kosovo she was supported with cleaning equip- ment. The company’s name “Xixë” was named from the word in Albanian which in English means sparkle or glint. Her focus ac�vi�es are cleaning services basically in family household, flat/houses.

We have consistently tried to make our cleaning ac�vity ecologically, but with high disinfectant effects. The mo�o of the company is “Why to buy them new when you can make them new”. BILJANA DENIĆ JEHONA SHALA

Biljana is a farmer from Novëbërd. Her She owns a small business in Vushtrri, family mostly works and generates income called “KS Foods”, they produce puff pastry from agriculture ac�vi�es, they sell their dough also they have their own packaging. products in the market of municipality. The product can be found in big markets in Agriculture is their family tradi�on all the Prish�na Mitrovica and Obiliq, Millosheve, members of the family are engaged in this Drenas.She plans to produce two new ac�vity. products with KS Foods Brand. “CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIFE” IN PEJA

Help Kosovo has supported “Center for Independent Life” which is an Organiza- �on that works on protec�ng the right of people with disability and also trains this category of society to live independently. In this Center people with disabili�es are engaged in different ac�vi�es such as reading, learning, singing, dancing, draw- ing, playing, daily life ac�vi�es etc. Help Kosovo supported this Center with gastronomy equipment.

Their future plans are to open a mini bar where they can serve their products to the client which will help them generate income for their needs. SHEND XHEMAJLI NERMIN KASTRATI

Shendi comes from Prish�na. He is the He is a shoemaker from Peja who produces founder of “Skwer studio”. He men�oned handmade shoes of good quality as well that: “Help Kosovo is the main ini�ator for special shoes for people with disabili�es. our success, and if we wouldn’t have the His business was on hold since he didn't opportunity it would be much harder for have appropriate machines. Today with the us to realize our project”. They plan to new sophis�cated equipment he can make engage more youngsters in the company. good quality shoes for the clients.

RAMË RADI

He lives in Trebovic Village in Municipality of Peja. The client works in insula�on, facade and plastering. With the received equipment the client was self-employed and has engaged mem- bers of the family in this ac�vity. He increased the capacity of work, he can be engaged in different construc�ons in Municipality of Peja. When Help fieldworkers visited him, they were living in bad condi�ons in an old small house with more than ten members, they are roma community. Now the family generates more income from the ac�vity with the received equip- ment which helped in easing the work and increased the monthly income of the family. “The general objec�ve of the project is to Address contribute in sustainable development in Str. Ekrem Rexha, H2. Ka� B1, No: 4, the certain fields with special focus on Prish�në economic development. “ Shqipe Breznica Email Program Coordinator [email protected]

Web: help-ev.de help-kosovo.org facebook.com/helpkosovo

Tel no. +383 38 704 302