New Economic Opportunities for Northern Kosovo- NEON

New Economic Opportunities for northern Kosovo- NEON

FINAL REPORT

For the period March 4, 2019 through September 3, 2020

Prepared by Kosovo Center for Business Support (KCBS)

AUGUST 2020

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 3 PERFORMANCE AGAINST INDICATORS SUMMARY ...... 5 COVID-19 ...... 9 SUCCESS STORIES ...... 11 STATUS OF MILESTONES ...... 14 Milestone 1: Work plan prepared ...... 14 Milestone 2: Greenhouses and necessary equipment distributed to qualified farmers ...... 16 Milestone 3 and 4: Established linkages between farmers and market ...... 20 Milestone 5. Call for interns completed and interns placed ...... 29 Milestone 6. 50% of interns complete required internship and receive full-time job offer related to skills generated in internship ...... 32 Milestone 7. 50% of interns complete required internship and receive full-time job offer related to skills generated in internship ...... 41 ANNEXES ...... 48 Annex 1. List of farmers that received greenhouse ...... 48 Annex 2. List of contracts with existing farmers (as direct result from B2B) ...... 50 Annex 3. List of contracts with new farmers (as direct result from B2B) ...... 52 Annex 4: List of businesses that expressed interest to hire interns ...... 55 Annex 5: List of businesss where interns were placed ...... 57 Annex 6: List of selected interns and companies (Group I) ...... 58 Annex 7: List of selected interns and companies (Group II) ...... 59 Annex 8: List of interns and companies that signed long-term employment contracts, converting interns into full-time employees ...... 60 Annex 9. STTA Report (technical support to farmers) ...... 62 Annex 10. STTA Report (technical support to farmers) ...... 69 Annex 11. Personal Stories ...... 75 Annex 12. Project pictures ...... 84

1 Kosovo Center for Business Support-KCBS Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

B2B Business To Business

EU European Union

KCBS Kosovo Center for Business Support

MAFRD Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development

MoU Memorandum of Understanding

MTI Ministry of Trade and Industry

AGRO Agricultural Growth and Rural Opportunities

NGO Non-Governmental Organization

US United States

USAID United States Agency for International Development

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded project New Economic Opportunities for northern Kosovo (NEON) - Grant No. FAA-72016719RFA00001, to Kosovo Center for Business Support - (KCBS). The timeframe for implementation of this project is March 4, 2019 through September 3, 2020

On March 4, 2019 Kosovo Center for Business Support/KCBS started to implement activity “New Economic Opportunities for northern Kosovo-NEON”.

The main goal of the activity is to increase sales and employment in the north of Kosovo’s agricultural sector, by upgrading its participation primarily in the commercial vegetables value chain.

This activity was focused in two main areas: greenhouses and internship program. This activity included several phases such as: business assessment for potential greenhouses, selection of farmers and distribution of greenhouses and neccesary equipment for up to 70 farmers, survey of among companies to identify their needs for employees, call for interns to apply for internship program and selction of up to 100 interns that will work at identified businesses for up to six months, ongoing monitoring of greenhouse production, ongoing monitoring of internship program, including permanent job placement among interns, and finding market for end-products of farmers.

Figure 1. Ambasador Kosnett visits farmer’s booth Figure 2. Ambasador Kosnett visits farmer’s booth during B2B event in Mitrovica during B2B event in Mitrovica

Main results that were achieved during implementation of the project:

• Total revenues for the LOP were 599,250 euros • 312 FTE jobs are created • 71 farmers benefit from grants and/or technical assistance • Internship opportunities are provided to 100 youth • 51 interns obtained jobs after completion of internship program Conclusions and recommendatios: 1. Continued consultancy would help improving the following the production process a. Usage of the drip irrigation system for irrigation, b. Feeding the cultivated plants in adequate frequency with high–solubility fertilizers depending on development stage of the plants,

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

c. Prevention measures and plant protection from pests and diseases. d. Managing growing conditions within greenhouse, temperature and ventilation. 2. Continued support would help improving the market linkages between farmers in the north and buyers in the south 3. Increase capacity to ‘best’ farmers 4. Introduction, implementation and certification of quality and organizational standards to the leaders 5. Expand support beyond greenhouse production to other sectors and sub-sectors, such as NWFP, textile, wood processing and ICT. 6. Introduce another internship program, divided in three 3-month stages: training, placement and job-retaining

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

PERFORMANCE AGAINST INDICATORS SUMMARY

During implementation this activity, KCBS supported 71 farmers and achieved below results:

• Total revenues for 18-month period reached value of 599,250 euros • Employment is generated in the amount of total 312 (98 FT and 214 PT-FTE equivalent jobs) are created • 71 farmers benefit from grants and/or technical assistance • Market chain linkages are improved in minority businesses • Technical advice and training provided tools for more efficient utilization of the greenhouses • Internship opportunities are provided to 100 youth • 100 interns are trained on basic soft skills • Interns are placed at 24 companies of different profiles • 51 interns obtained jobs after completion of internship program KCBS supported farmers with micro-grants provided to them for acquisition of greenhouses and other additional equipment for work in greenhouses, and with technical suppport, throughout entire production cycle, as well as support in selling their products. Technical support provided to these farmers was short-term technical assistance to improve their capacities to plant and grow the types of marketable dentified products, in quantity and quality needed. Technical assistance has been provided in all stages of production cycle in greenhouses: seedling selection and planting, fertilization and irrigation, growing care requirements, harvest, post-harvest for both greenhouse and open field production, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). In addition, farmers were linked with buyers to sell their products, i.e. aggregators. In addition, KCBS supported aggregators in form of micro-grants provided to them for acquisition of equipment and in form of technical suppport, especially in linking them with farmers and hypermarkets.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Data source & collection Unit, definition and Base-line Base-line IR Performance Indicators LOP Target Actuyal results method disaggregation Year Value

Objective: Increased economic opportunities in northern Kosovo

IR 2.2/ Target Enterprises/Farmers Sub-IR Value of sales Euros 2018 TBD 400,000 599,250 for enterprise level data 2.2.2 IR 2.2/ Number of farmers receiving services supported Target Enterprises/Farmers Sub-IR Number 2018 TBD 70 71 by USAID for enterprise level data 2.2.2 IR 2.2/ Target Enterprises/Farmers Sub-IR Increase in FTE jobs created Number 2018 TBD 300 312 for enterprise level data 2.2.2 IR 2.2/ Enterprises in targeted Sub-IR Number of interns placed Number 2018 0 100 100 sectors 2.2.2 IR 2.2/ Enterprises in targeted Sub-IR Number of interns retained jobs Number 2018 0 30 51 sectors 2.2.2

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Sales target for one year was set at 400,000 euros for all beneficiaries. Until the end of project 71 beneficiaries/farmers reached in total sales of 599,250 euros. We didn’t collect data from aggregators.

Sales data (in euros) Target 400,000 Actual 599,250 Table 1. Actual sales vs target

Sales data

600,000

500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0 Sales data (in euros) Target Actual

Graph 1 Actual sales vs target

In total, farmers produced 256,900 kg of different vegetables, 17,650 pieces of salads, and 405,400 kg of different products not categorized under different NWFP (from our beneficiary Peppermint) carrots, watermellon, garlic,etc . Main vegetable that was produced was tomatoe, then pepper and cucumber, as shown in the table below:

Production (in kg), except for salad Type of vegetable (pieces) Tomatoes 97,450 Pepper 62,450 Cucumber 29,250 Melon 16,500 Salad 17,650 Spinach 19,450 Seedlings 31,800 Other 405,400 Table 2.Quantity of vegetable produced 7

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Production data/in kg 19,450 17,650 97,450

62,450

405,400 29,250 31,800 16,500

Salads Spinach Tomatoes Pepper Cucumber Seedlings Melon Other

Graph 2 Quantity of vegetable produced

FTE target for one year was set at 300 FTEs for all our beneficiaries. Until end of the project our beneficiaries reached in total employment of 312.16 FTEs.

FTE jobs Target 300.00 Actual 312.16 Table 3.Actual FTE vs target

FTE jobs

Actual Target Actual

Target

- 100 200 300 400

Graph 3 Actual FTE vs target

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Row Labels FTE Total FTE/Male FTE/Female Farmers 312.16 161.00 151.16

Grand Total 312.16 161.00 151.16 Table 4. FTE by gender

350

300

250

200

150

100

0 FTE Total FTE/Male FTE/Female

Farmers

Graph 4 FTE by gender COVID-19

The pandemic interrupted normal course of our project. However, KCBS was able to continue, after more than one month of imposed break in activities. After this break, KCBS visited all farmers/beneficiaries to whom we provided technical support on transplanting plants, irrigation and fertilization, by using different fertilizer formulas for different growing stage. Also conducted production process control and practical training for GAP application for those who are interested to start contracting with the companies that are exporting. We have also received feedback and information on the production and the sales during the pandemic situation. We can say that fortunately for our farmers, this situation has not affected them as much as some other sectors in Kosovo; greenhouse farmers are satisfied with the production but also with the sale of products during these last months and especially during May 2020, in addition to selling their products, they have also started new contacts with retailers for the possibility of selling products in the future in the north and also in the south in larger amount.

During these visits and throughout summer while providing technical support provided by KCBS experts, we received requests from a large number of farmers who benefited not only from this project, but also from the previous USAID projects, and implemented by KCBS. They have requested to:

• Expand their activities and make the transition from micro to small or even small to medium-sized businesses, • To enable them to process products, fruits and vegetables they harvest in greenhouses and 9

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

• Continue support on advising them on all processes such as: Soil treatment, planting, harvest and postharvest trainings, and start to implement Global GAP certification

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

SUCCESS STORIES

Textland First success story we think is worth to mention is a company KCBS supported through internship program by sending five interns, that is "TEXLAND" D.O.O., a small business established in December 2017 which deals with the production of baby and child clothes under the brand "Cicili". Last year they had turnover of under 10,000,00 Euros, currently they employ 6 people, and company operates in its own facility in Leposavic. Since the virus appeared, they started producing masks and to date they have produced over 8,000 different kind of masks.

Figure 1. Masks for men and women

The request for the masks came from number of institutions including Kosovo Police in Leposavic, UNMIK, and Leposavic Municipality, they produced over 3,000 masks for these institutions and signed agreement to produce depending on the needs they have. "TEXLAND" D.O.O. produced masks for Mitrovica municipality and also exported to the municipality of Raska in Serbia, the city close to the border with Kosovo.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Figure 2. Producing different color and style masks

During this time, they have produced different types of masks:

• Masks for public health servants, • Masks for people working with different chemicals, • Masks for men and women with differences in colour and • Different masks for kids with their favourite movie characters.

Figure 3. Different masks for children

After all this demand, this busines is among few businesses that benefited from pandemic. However, for the future they will need to expand their production with some additional machines.

2. Applications for Emergency Fiscal Package

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

The second success story is the that there is number of the companies from northern part of Kosovo (part of internship component) that approached to the Kosovo institutions for the Emergency Fiscal Package that includes assistance to businesses and workers for the months of April and May.

To date we have information that 13 companies who have employed 42 NEON project interns, six Serbian owned businesses and seven Albanian owned businesses, applied to receive the support from Kosovo institutions and to date received monthly salary expenses of employees in the amount of 170 euros.

Companies received this support are: Farma Jevtić (5 interns), As promet D.O.O. (8 interns), Žerovnica Prevoz D.O.O. (4 interns), S.Z.R. Markovic (5 interns), RWS Company D.O.O. (5 interns), Farma Danilo (4 interns), Berat Sylejmani B.I. (1 intern), Ëmbëlsia M&A SH.P.K. (2 interns), Medina Kurti B.I. (2 interns), N.P. Fidanishtja TINI (2 interns), N.P.SH. Alba Park (1 intern), Poliklinika Jeta (2 interns) and NSH Star (1 intern).

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

STATUS OF MILESTONES

Milestone 1: Work plan prepared

Description of Milestone: Preparation of work plan will take place during the first days of the NEON project. Draft work plan will be submitted to USAID within ten (30) business days after the award. It will become operational when it is approved by USAID. Status: Completed Work plan is prepared according to the project’s requirements. Work plan consists of 8 Milestones, detailed description and timetable of implementation. Deliverables: Draft work plan is submitted to USAID for review. (End of March 2019) Final work plan submitted to USAID for approval. (End of April 2019) Due to COVID-19 pandemic, USAID has asked its implementing partners to review their implementation plan and analyze the impact that pandemic has caused to their activities. KCBS reported that activities under Milestone 3 and 4 Technical support to farmers and activities under Milestone 6 and 7 Monitoring of interns needed to extend beyond originally planned timeline, therefore are extended by one or two months, as explained on the Table 1. And Table 2.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Table 1. Timeline of implementation of activities per milestones (Submitted to USAID)

Milestone Mar.19 Apr.19 May.19 Jun.19 Jul.19 Aug.19 Sep.19 Oct.19 Nov.19 Dec.19 Jan.20 Feb.20 Mar.20 Apr.20 May.20 Jun.20 Jul.20 Aug.20

Milestone 1

Milestone 2

Milestone 3 Technical support

Milestone 4 Technical support

Milestone 5

Milestone 6 Monitoring of interns

Milestone 7 Monitoring of interns

Milestone 8

Table 2. Timeline of implementation of activities per milestones, revised due to COVID-19 pandemic (Changes submitted to USAID)

Milestone Mar.19 Apr.19 May.19 Jun.19 Jul.19 Aug.19 Sep.19 Oct.19 Nov.19 Dec.19 Jan.20 Feb.20 Mar.20 Apr.20 May.20 Jun.20 Jul.20 Aug.20

Milestone 1

Milestone 2

Milestone 3 Technical support

Milestone 4 Technical support Milestone 5

Milestone 6 Monitoring of interns

Milestone 7 Monitoring of interns Milestone 8

Milestone 2: Greenhouses and necessary equipment distributed to qualified farmers

Status: Completed

At the beginning of activity, KCBS conducted research and assessment of farmer’s capacity. During this assessment stage, KCBS identified key crops that farmers cultivate and agread to cultivated with the new activity. These crops are: salad/lettuce, melon, pepper, tomatoe, cucumber/cornichons, carrots and strawberries.

In this regard, KCBS identified 70 committed farmers who have capacity to start greenhouse production in addition to open field production or to expand their production from family production and retail into commercial scale. In order to enable this, KCBS will support these farmers by providing up to 70 new greenhouses. In total KCBS supported 71 farmers with greenhouses.

While, NEON activity will increase F&V producion in farm level, KCBS has identified two aggregators that will collect products from the farmers. All these aggregators have extensive experience in F&V sector. Their storage capacity is more than 200 tons. Aggregators have confirmed their commitment to enter into contractual agreement with farmers. They have already identified market for these products, including supermarket chains, such as Emona, Interex, Elkos/ETC and Bamex.

KCBS contacted these supermarkets, who represent major supermarket chains in this part of Kosovo, that are also in proximity to the ‘north’ farmers. Farmers might continue delivering their products from their existing greenhouses directly to supermarkets, but KCBS will encourage them to sell all their production through aggregators.

Based on assessment findings, this activity will enable to change traditional production and introduce new trading channels. KCBS will coordinate all stakeholders in order to achieve anticipated results.

Through this activity, KCBS will create a more sustainable model, by supporting farmers who have demonstrated in the past their dedication to develop and grow and also have capacity, to produce for known and secure market. This will be achieved by involving intermediaries - agregators, who will have a key role, as intermediators between farmers and market. Selected agreggators have experience with market demands in Kosovo and in the region, about type and quantity of agricultural products. Farmers will produce the products for which they will have a contracts with aggregators and on the other side aggregators are obliged to buy/collect products from farmers and place/sell them further in market.

Another goal of the research/assesment was to identify types of products that will be produced by farmers. Under this activity, lettuce salad will be the main product, but other vegetables such as baby carrots, baby spinach, eggplant, spring onion, peppers, patatoes, melon and cucumbers. The main objective of this activity is to increase employment and sales by upgrading the value chain in the sector of fruits and vegetables.

Assessment Method & Approach

For this assesment, KCBS has used primary and secondary data.

Primary data were collected directly from farmers and also from companies that will serve as aggregators, or as potential buyers. This was enable taking into consideration KCBS presence in this part of Kosovo for more than three years and also our staff previuos experience with other USAID projects such as KPEP, KCBS and KBS. The identified and selected farmers have capacity for growth.

Secondary data were obtained from various publications that have been made recently in Kosovo for the fruit and vegetable sector as well as from the relevant Kosovo institutions, such as Ministry of

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Agriculture and Agency of Kosovo Statistics.

KCBS approach to this assessment enabled to identify and select farmers, committed aggregators, and reliable buyers. This provids a basis for building and upgrading sustainable value chain for the the fruit and vegetable sector in the northern part of Kosovo.

Farmer and Product selection

During this assesment stage, KCBS has visited more than 80 farmers farmers in four municipalities. These farmers applied for micro-grants in response to KCBS’ published RFA. After reviewing these applications, KCBS visited every farmer that applied. Many of these farmers have been supported by KCBS or other donors in the past.

The purpose of these visits were multifunctional:

• Review of the current situation, including the current production capacity • The area planted in greenhouses (if any) and in the open field • Varieties of vegetables planted • Their plans for the future • Commitment to plant under contract • Commitment to participate in financing (co-share)

At the end of this process, KCBS selected 70 farmers from northern municipalities, including 20 farmers that are currently have greenhouses and 50 that didn’t have prior experience in greenhouse production. One additional farmer we added while started to distribute greenhouses.

Identification of buyers and market demand

Recent horticulture development trends show the sector is making rapid progress and aims to replace the import with export which has been a trend until the current.

The most recent available public data is from the 2016 report. According to the publication of MAFRD Kosovo Green Report 2016, vegetables and horticulture products are the most important category in the plant production and comprise approximately 30.5% of the total plant production. During 2015, area planted with vegetables in Kosovo is estimated to be a total of 14,656 ha, as opposed to 15,854 ha in 2014; i.e. vegetable area decreased by 8% relative to the previous year.

Vegetable crops prevalent on larger areas in 2015 are potatoes, pepper, beans and onions which comprise 71% of total cultivated area of vegetables. Peppers with 3,090 ha has marked an increase in area by 21%, tomatoes by 42%, cucumber by 65% and onions for 4%, when comparing to previous year.

Regarding the production in 2015, vegetable production is estimated to be 246,096 tons for a total area of 14,656 ha, which compared to 2014, has marked an increase of 11%. With reference to vegetable production in 2015, it is worth noting that crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, cucumber, watermelon, melon, cabbage, spinach, onion, leaks, garlic and beans recorded a significant increase compared with 2014. It is worth mentioning that the cucumber production which in 2014 was 5,428 tons increased by 220% in 2015. In 2015, Kosovo imported 22,9 million in vegetable products or 3.64% of entire imports. At the same time, Kosovo exported 2.9 million euros of vegetable products or 7.03% of its entire exports. However, when comparing to imports, Kosovo exported only 12.7% of its vegetable imports. As we can see from these statistics, there is still large need for expanding local production, both for local market but also for exports, mainly in the region.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

KCBS, has assessed current situation in the market for F&V products. Main buyers of vegetable products are green market, local market and large supermarkets. Green market in cities, such as Prishtina and Mitrovica, makes up to 50% of sales, while approx. 30% goes to smaller markets, and the rest is sold in large supermarkets and hypermarkets.

KCBS has identified that largest consumers of ‘its farmers’ products will be supermarket chains.

Besides aggregators, KCBS has identified four largest potential buyers that farmers can sell directly or through aggregators. These companies are Emona, Elkos, Interex and Bamex. These buyers have absorption capacity for the agricultural products and geographical proximity with all farmers. Emona,Elkos, Interex and Bamex will serve as an alternative model for agregators, in order to ensure that the entire produced quantity will be sold.

1. Elkos has up to date collection center in Xërxë, and all purchases dealing with fruits and vegetables needed for the supermarket chain or wholesale are supplied through this center. Elkos has extensive experience of cooperation with individual farmers form northern part of Kosovo and they are ready to expand cooperation with them if the conditions are favorable in terms of quality and price. 2. Emona is one of the largest buyers of fruits and vegetables in Kosovo. Currently they are supplied with fruits and vegetables at wholesale market of fruits and vegetables in Pristina. Although there have been cases of trade with some farmers from the northern part, mainly Albanians, Emona’s representative says that there wasn’t sufficient experience of cooperation with farmers in the northern part. However, they are willing to cooperate if there are favorable quality and prices of products. 3. Bamex is one of the largest supermarkets based only in city of Mitrovica. Currently they are supplied with fruits and vegetables at wholesale market of fruits and vegetables in Pristina, but also they buy in smaller quantities from individual farmers from the north. 4. Interex became in recent years one of main hypermarket chains in Kosovo with more than 15 hypermarkets.

Identification of aggregators

KCBS had a series of meetings and discussions with many companies from southern and northern part of Kosovo, which could play the role of aggregators in the value chain of fruits and vegetables. From all these meetings, KCBS identified four companies that can serve as aggregators. Below is their profile:

1. Agro Serra in Mitrovica, owner Gani Hajzeri. The company has a greenhouse area of 20 acres, mostly planted with lettuce, and open-field area of 2 ha. Their current collection and storage capacity is one ton. He is currently involved with AGRO project and in the past he has received support from USAID projects for cleaning and packaging equipment for salads. This company is willing to cooperate with KCBS. 2. Doni Fruits is based in Ferizaj, but is present also in Macedonia and Albania, and is one of the largest wholesale companies in fruits and vegetable sector.

KCBS distributed in total 71 greenhouses. Due to the fact that we managed to obtain better financial offer per greenhouse, we were able to provide one additional greenhouse, as well as shading net and insect net for all farmers. Final list of beneficiaries/farmers that obtained one greenhouse is attached as Annex 1.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

In addition to greenhouses, KCBS provided to beneficiaries/farmers shading net to all 71 farmers who received greenhouse from NEON/KCBS. Shading net was procured using NEON/KCBS funds. We provided to KCBS beneficiaries insect net to all 71 farmers who received greenhouse from NEON/KCBS. Insect net was purchased using NEON/KCBS funds. We distributed 10 temperature and humidity sensors to ten farmers who received the greenhouse from NEON/KCBS. These sensors were purchased in US from Crimson Finance funds, and distributed by KCBS. The criteria for choosing the beneficiaries/farmers for temperature and humidity sensors were: farmer needs to have internet access, possession of a smart phone, able to read and understand electronic parameters on the sensor, and basic knowledge of greenhouse cultivation conditions.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Milestone 3 and 4: Established linkages between farmers and market

Status: Completed The main purpose of this Milestone activity was to increase level of interaction between farmers/producers and buyers of agricultural products, to increase level of agriculture farms (businesses) from micro to the small level and, to increase employment which is one of main problems in this part of Kosovo. Currently, most farmers sell their products to the nearest market, i.e. the remaining surplus after domestic consumption. Farmers in this part of Kosovo received continuous supports by many projects, including projects implemented by KCBS. Based on our experience investment in a 120 m² greenhouse will be returned after one year, under condition that farmer will plant vegetables in at least three turns within one year. Through this activity, KCBS will create a more sustainable model, by supporting farmers who have demonstrated in the past their dedication to develop and grow and also have capacity, to produce for known and secure market. This will be achieved by involving intermediaries - aggregators, who will have a key role, as intermediators between farmers and market. Selected aggregators have experience with market demands in Kosovo and in the region, about type and quantity of agricultural products. Farmers will produce the products for which they will have a contract with aggregators and on the other side aggregators are obliged to buy/collect products from farmers and place/sell them further in market. Part of the NEON project is to organize roundtable discussion between farmers, Medicinal Aromatic Plants-MAP and vegetable trading companies for future collaboration on delivery supply of products based on contracts, B2B, and a small fair for display of fresh products by farmers. The KCBS has hired a STTA with marketing-Linkage and legal expertise and experience on contracting of agriculture business activities - especially on supply contracts between fruit and vegetable producers and traders. KCBS organized roundtable and B2B in september 2019. The main objectives of roundtable and B2B were as follow:

• Bring all stakeholders in the round table to discuss challenges and opportunities in agriculture sector especially in greenhouse production of vegetables that were donated by USAID as a donor. • Discus the problems linked with production and sales. • Organize B2B between producers and trading companies with regard of creating new opportunities for increase of production and penetration in new markets. • Increase the number of linkages between farmer producers and interested trading companies to collaborate with them based on contracts. • Create new market linkage network between trading companies and farmers. • To encourage lead farmer participants to become promoters of contracting to other smaller farmers in vegetable production and MAP sector as well as other agriculture sectors.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

• To give opportunity to each participant to share its ideas on future plans for expand of their production in greenhouses and be more specialized. -certified for export market. • Increase number of tonnages of fresh vegetables sold in local markets as well as export for higher prices. • Create relationship and trust between parties that will last for many future rather than farmers to date ad-hoc markets • Explain and make aware new farmers when contracting with trading companies in case of any disputes how to solve them and how to use the new contract enforcement institution – Intermediation, instead of regular courts, or use Economic Chamber of Kosovo Arbitrage when both contracted parties are businesses. On 16.09.2019, KCBS organized and facilitated B2B meeting and contract signature between 10 farmers and trading companies of 23 farmers that agreed for contract with vegetable trading companies. After B2B event, KCBS visited other farmers, facilitated negotiations and supported them until finalization of contract signing. The B2B and round table discussion appeared very useful for all participants as well as Ambassador Philip Kosnet who from the first hand listen about the problems that farmers face from the production phase to the market shelves. The trading companies provided information on their conditions for better and safe transactions and quality of production that requires quality certifications for the farmers in order to sell with higher price for export markets etc. The company portfolio chosen by KCBS and STTA were of importance on general coverage of main sectors that farmers on the north are involved, such as Agroproduct as main Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAP) export company from Kosovo to EU markets, DONI fruits as the best export company for fruits and vegetables in the Balkans for 2018 and 2019, delivered their experience and recommendations for fruit and vegetable sector at present and the future development. Agroserra, the company based in Mitrovica, the only lettuce processing centre in Kosovo, offered the collaboration for all interested farmers to cultivate lettuce based on seedling delivery and

Picture 3. Discussion between Ambassador Kosnett, USAID’s Director Lisa Mango and company owners APS, Istog, and Agroserra, Mitrovicë product collection after the harvesting. Fresh company continues to collect fruits-vegetables in

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

this area with the linked farmers and collection centre and is keen to expand collaboration with more farmers. .

Picture 4 Discussions during the roundtable, Joshua Mike, Director for EG at USAID, farmers and representatives of aggregators

After the round table discussion, the visits to farmer stands offered opportunity to Ambassador Kosnett to introduce each farmer and their exposed products, discuss shortly with all of them about their ideas requirements and plans for future production and sales of their products.

Figure 2. DST product owner signing the contract with framer Miroslav Todorovic

Medicinal Aromatic Plants sector representative in B2B is familiar with contracting of production / collection; the owner of Peppermint International LC signed commercial contract with

Figure 3Picture.Agroserra 7. owner Gani Hajzeri and farmer Marko Milenkovic while discussing about collaboration on lettuce cultivation for 2020 season and contracting

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Agroproduct, Istog for delivery of Medicinal Aromatic Plants for export till 2027 with possibility to extend this contract. • Most of participants were aware or had experience on agribusiness contracting from previous years but not notarization of contracts. • Some of new participants introduced first ever opportunity to contract with trading companies. • The farming surface in most of greenhouses still is too small for commercial contracting. The minimum greenhouse surface for commercial production of vegetables is 0.05ha. • The greenhouses are spread out in remote villages having lack of logistic access. • Cultivation of mix products at the same greenhouse for many farmers remains challenge. Due to this to date they preferred ad hock markets and delivery in neighborhood.

In total there are 92 contracts signed between 6 aggregators and 49 producers/ farmers. Agroserra signed 40 contracts, all for lettuce production. Agroserra agreed to provide seedlings for lettuce and will collect entire production. Fresh company signed 38 contracts, mainly for tomatoes and small quantity of cornichons. Doni fruits signed 8 contracts for variety of products, such as cornichons, tomatoes, pepper and melon. DST signed 4 contracts, for strawberry and raspberry products, while Agroproduct and Eurofruti signed one contracts each. Agroproduct from Istog signed contract with Peppermint International for medical and aromatic plants. This is only framework contract, but parties agreed that Agroproduct will purchase entire production of its supplier-Peppermint.

Below is the table with details for all 92 contracts.

Aggregator # contracts Quantity/kg Quantity/pc

Agroproduct 1 - -

Agroserra 40 - 135,800

Doni Fruits 8 51,100 -

DST 4 20,000 -

Eurofruti 1 5,000 -

Fresh 38 88,800 -

Total 92 164,900 135,800

Table 5. Overview of contracts/ All aggregators/All farmers

In the table below are presented details of 92 contracts per aggregator and for all categories of products.

Aggregator Cornichon Tomatoes Strawberry Raspberry Pepper Mellon MAP Lettuce Total Total

Agroserra ------135,800 - 135,800

Agroproduct ------TBD - - -

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Doni Fruits 7,000 18,000 - - 16,100 10,000 - - 51,100 -

DST Product - - 5,000 15,000 - - - - 20,000 -

Eurofruti - - 5,000 - - - - - 5,000 -

Fresh 3,300 85,500 ------88,800 -

Total 10,300 103,500 10,000 15,000 16,100 10,000 - 135,800 164,900 135,800 Table 6. Detailed contracts by type of product/All aggregators/All farmers

In total there were 38 contracts signed between 6 aggregators and 22 producers/ farmers that had previously experience with greenhouse production, we identify them as “old” farmers. 14 farmers signed two or three contracts with different aggregators. Agroserra signed 15 contracts, all for lettuce production. Agroserra agreed to provide seedlings for lettuce and will collect entire production. Fresh company signed 14 contracts, mainly for tomatoes and small quantity of cornichons. Doni fruits signed 7 contracts for variety of products, such as cornichons, tomatoes, pepper and melon. DST signed 1 contract for strawberry products, while Agroproduct signed one contract. Agroproduct from Istog signed contract with Peppermint International for medical and aromatic plants. This is only framework contract, but parties agreed that Agroproduct will purchase entire production of its supplier-Peppermint.

Aggregator # contracts Quantity/kg Quantity/pc

Agroproduct 1 - - Agroserra 15 - 49,500 Doni Fruits 7 50,100 - DST 1 5,000 -

Eurofruti - - -

Fresh 14 51,300 -

Total 38 106,400 49,500

Table 7. Overview of contracts/ All aggregators/Farmers with existing greenhouses

In the table below are presented details of 38 contracts per aggregator and for all categories of products, signed between aggregators and farmers that had greenhouse production prior to NEON.

Cornicho Tomatoe Strawberr Raspberr Peppe Mello Total Aggregator MAP Lettuce Total kg n s y y r n pieces

Agroserra ------49,500

Agroproduc ------TBD - - - t

Doni Fruits 7,000 18,000 - - 15,100 10,000 - - 50,100 -

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

DST Product - - 5,000 - - - - - 5,000 -

Eurofruti ------

Fresh 3,300 48,000 ------51,300 -

Total 10,300 66,000 5,000 15,100 10,000 - 49,500 106,400 49,500 Table 8. Detailed contracts by type of product/All aggregators/ Farmers with existing greenhouses In total there were 52 contracts signed between 5 aggregators and 26 producers/ farmers that didn’t have previously experience with greenhouse production, we identify them “new” farmers. In average, every farmer signed two contracts with different aggregator. Agroserra signed 24 contracts, all for lettuce production. Agroserra agreed to provide seedlings for lettuce and will collect entire production. Also, Fresh company signed 24 contracts for tomatoes. Doni fruits signed 1 contract for pepper. DST signed 2 contracts for raspberry products, while Eurofruti signed one contracts for strawberry. Aggregator # contracts Quantity/kg Quantity/pc

Agroproduct - - Agroserra 24 - 36,300 Doni Fruits 1 1,000 - DST 2 10,500 - Eurofruti 1 5,000 - Fresh 24 37,500 - Total 52 54,000 36,300 Table 9. Overview of contracts/ All aggregators/New farmers In the table below are presented details of 52 contracts per aggregator and for all categories of products, signed between aggregators and farmers that didn’t have greenhouse production prior to NEON.

Aggregator Cornichon Tomatoes Strawberry Raspberry Pepper Melon MAP Lettuce Total Total

Agroserra ------36,300 - 36,300

Agroproduct ------

Doni Fruits - - - - 1,000 - - - 1,000 -

DST Product - - - 10,500 - - - - 10,500 -

Eurofruti ------5,000 -

Fresh 37,500 ------37,500 -

Total - 37,500 5,000 10,500 1,000 - - 36,300 54,000 36,300

Table 10. Detailed contracts by type of product/All aggregators/ New farmers

In addition to contracts between farmers and aggregators, there were two contracts between aggregators. These contracts were also facilitated by KCBS team. Agroserra signed contract with Fresh company to sell 50,000 pc of lettuce, while DST Product signed contract with As Promet from Leposavic for contractual sale of 4,500 kg of raspberries. As Promet is part of KCBS’ internship component of the NEON project.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Aggregator # contracts Quantity/kg Quantity/pc

Agroproduct - -

Agroserra 1 - 50,000

Doni Fruits - - -

DST 1 4,500 -

Eurofruti - - -

Fresh - - -

Total 2 4,500 50,000

Table 11. Overview of contracts/ Inter-company contracts

In the table below are presented details of 2 contracts signed between aggregators and companies and for all categories of products.

Aggregator Cornichon Tomatoes Strawberry Raspberry Pepper Mellon MAP Lettuce Total Total

Agroserra ------50,000 - 50,000

Agroproduct ------

Doni Fruits ------

DST Product - - - 4,500 - - - - 4,500 -

Eurofruti ------

Fresh ------

Total - - - 4,500 - - - 50,000 4,500 50,000 Table 12. Detailed contracts by type of product/ Inter-company In the tables below we present also estimated value of signed contracts. Please note that financial data presented below represents best estimates of contracted amounts based on average selling prices at the time of this report.

In total there are 92 contracts signed between 6 aggregators and 49 producers/farmers. Total estimated value for these 92 contracts is 150,925 euros. 26

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

In total there are 39 contracts signed between 6 aggregators and 22 producers/ farmers that had previously experience with greenhouse production. Estimated value for these 39 contracts is 87,795 euros.

In total there are 51 contracts signed between 4 aggregators and 26 producers/ farmers that didn’t have previously experience with greenhouse production. Estimated value for these 51 contracts is 41,900 euros.

There were also two contracts between aggregator Agroserra and aggregator Fresh company, and between DST Product and As Promet. Estimated value for these 2 contracts is 20,600 euros.

Contract farming is key for development of agriculture. It increases trust among the actors of the sector as well as production based on market demand which is very important for the growth self-sustainability of the sector. The farmers need to keep continuing collaboration with trading companies that are market for them. Trading companies need to provide farmers with their trading portfolio (list of products for their market) with regard of market-oriented production by supply with inputs-seeds or lettuce seedlings (Agroserra case) for varieties that have best sale in the market. Produce for what market asks not what the farmers know and traditionally produce.

The signed contracts between parties in the B2B will open an opportunity for their fulfillement by farmers and trading companies and will not be only of formal nature but functional in the field.

During the visits and meetings with farmers and one collection centre STTA finding is that farmers are interested for vegetable contracted cultivation and they declared their amount of production for each vegetable variety, which is still small for the trading company purposes and logistics, but some companies already have their network of collaboration with supermarkets in Mitrovica, thus it is easy to organize even small amounts of delivery supply of vegetables. In the other side as KCBS work credit should be the continuation of collaboration between FRESH company and apple producer- collection center AGROCENTAR in Leposavic, who’s from 2017 – to date delivered to FRESH, Podujevë, more than 40 ton of apples, based on linkage facilitated by KCBS project in 2017. Almost all visited farmers asked for possible support on expanding of their greenhouse capacities as well as supply with specific machinery and devices for semi processing of their fruits and vegetables. Also, the main constraint for most of farmers is that still they cultivate mixt vegetable varieties inside the same greenhouse which always is a risk of vegetable disease infection from one to another cultivar. STTA recommendation is that several lead farmers that are interested to

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

expand their production capacities to be supported and use them as example for the increase of fruit and vegetable cultivation for wider market purposes. Best manner for farmers will be to collaborate and get their products in one collection place (center) for further transportation. There is existing collection center in Leposavic for farmers in that area, while for other farmers closer to Mitrovica is delivery to hypermarkets that have agreement with trading companies that signed contract, except Agroserra that is collection and processing center for lettuce. The recommendation for farmers and vegetable trading companies is that they should keep their agreements by fulfillment of contracts creating the trust and future collaboration in bilateral interest not only for season 2020, but for many seasons in the future. KCBS to strictly follow up on linkages between farmers and traders -companies on contract fulfillment. The success on implementation of contracted greenhouse vegetable production will create base for further self-sustainability and commercial relations, trust between farmers in the north and traders Kosovo wide.

Picture 9. Farmer S.Bascarevic of Ugljar, Z. Potok supplied a squeezing machine that saves its tomatoes Picture 10. Inside of this greenhouse looks fine the as tomato juice. (left photo) while the farmer Slavko cultivation of different cultivars in such close space (left Djinovic, of Jesa, Z. Potok, asked for possible support photo); farmer Bejtullah Kurti of village Qaber, Z. on expanding of its greenhouse Potok, receives advice on tomato cultivation and postharvest handling from KCBS expert.

Milestone 5. Call for interns completed and interns placed

Status of indicators: Completed

At the initial phase of the project, KCBS anticipated to conduct a needs assessment among companies in the northern part of Kosovo in order to identify their needs for employees. We considered that best approach for this was to publish Request for applications for businesses in northern Kosovo that need interns and are interested to participate in this project. Request for applications was prepared in three languages and was published on main newspapers, in local radio in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica (Radio Plus) and on Facebook page of KCBS (English version of this document is attached as Annex 1). During the time that this Request was open members of our staff contacted and visited many companies in the north, distributed the printed version of the Request, and also provided clarifications for companies on this program. KCBS was active during the time that Request was open to explain all aspects of the internship program. The Request for Interest for internship program was published on May 15 and was open until May 24. During this period, in total 43 companies from the north responded to the Request and expressed their interest to hire interns. This was the first part of this activity. KCBS staff then visited every company that applied, interviewed them and obtained basic information, thus creating basic profile of the companies. In creating the profile of companies, which provides the basis for needs assessment report, critical information includes information such as: name of the company, owner, main sector, key products or services, turnover during last year, number of current employees, and number of interns that needs.

After we obtained this information, that businesses in different sectors need interns, KCBS has published Call for interns was published on June 8 and was open until June 15. On of key information that interested applicants were obliged to submit was the sector in which they are interested to apply. During this period, in total 178 young persons applied for internship program. KCBS established internal committee to review applications and to pre-select interns. Basic criteria for pre-selection of interns was in which sector they applied, in order to match with profile of interested companies. KCBS committee has created preliminary list of 100 interns that are selected to be placed at companies. From this list, KCBS selected 50 interns that will be placed at 11 selected companies. KCBS prepared model internship contract in three languages. During first 10 days of July, these contracts will be signed by three parties: intern, business and KCBS. Only when we have all contracts signed KCBS will have final list of interns to be placed. For practical reasons, KCBS has divided placement of interns in two phases: during month of July will be completed first phase of 50 interns placed, while during month of August will be completed second phase of 50 interns to be placed.

Results & Discussion

From the list of 48 companies, 16 are from municipality of Leposavic, 14 from Zveçan/Zvecan, 11 from Mitrovicë/Mitrovica and 7 from Zubin Potok.

From the list of companies that responded to KCBS’ call for applications, total of 48, 13 entities are owned by women, while 35 entities or 73 % are owned by men.

Largest number of companies are in services sector (in total 23 companies). These services include website design, internet and communication, travel and transportation, job counseling, market research, media, advocacy, architecture, construction services, etc. There are 13 agriculture companies, while other sectors are represented in smaller number: food processing have 3 companies, textile, wood processing and trade are represented with two companies each, while construction sector have one company.

One of the most important information that KCBS obtained from companies that applied is current number of employees. This was important in order to understand their current size and potential to employ and absorb new employees. In total, 48 companies have in total 211 employees, 133 men and 78 women. In total, 38 companies have from 1 to 5 employees, 5 companies have from 6 to 10 employees, 29

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020 while 5 companies have more than 10 employees. From information that we have received from applications, companies requested more than 200 interns, in total 225 interns. From internship requests from the companies, the largest number of companies that requested interns are in services sector, followed by agriculture. From data received from the demand side, from young people that applied for internship program, the data is following: From total pre-selected 100 interns, 94 interns are from Serb minority while 6 are Albanian. From total pre-selected 100 interns, 58 are men and 42 are women.

Largest number of interns that applied are from Mitrovicë/Mitrovica municipality (23), from Zveçan/Zvecan – 20 and from Zubin Potok 12. However, we received applications from other municipalities throughout Kosovo. Since, the criteria for internship program was that businesses should be based in northern part of Kosovo, while interns could be also from other parts of Kosovo, many young people applied, but weren’t from north.

Number of interns/By municipality

1 Lipjan 1 2 2 2 1 4 2 Partesh 13 Skenderaj 12 Vučitrn Zubin Potok Mitrovicë/Mitrovica 20 Graçanicë/Gračanica 24 Shtërpce/Štrpce 5 11 Zveçan/Zvečan Leposaviq/Leposavić Novo Bërdë/Novo Brdo Kllokot/Klokot

Finally, we classified interns by age; from total 100 interns pre-selected by the committee, only two have 30 years, while all other potential interns are younger than 30 years.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

From this process and activities that KCBS has completed so far, we can conclude that:

• Although this is not the first, or the last, internship program in the northern part of Kosovo, and there are few internship programs, that are currently ongoing in different stages, there was great interest for the program, from both businesses and the young people • Although there are many unemployed people, there is lack of skilled labour that business needs • There is huge discrepancy between demand for labour that business needs, with skills and knowledge that is created in education program • Young people are not fully aware of job requirements from businesses

Based on the results of this assessment and as part of the work plan, KCBS will continue implementation of all activities related to internship program. By the end of August, all 100 interns will be placed at businesses and will receive first orientation training on internship program.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Milestone 6. 50% of interns complete required internship and receive full-time job offer related to skills generated in internship

Status: Completed

Initially KCBS conducted a needs assessment among companies in the northern part of Kosovo in order to identify their needs for employees. KCBS prepared request for applications in three languages and published it on main newspapers, in local radio in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica (Radio Plus) as well as on Facebook page of KCBS. During the period that Request for application was open, KCBS actively was present in the north and visited many companies to inform them about program and the application process for internship. The Request for Interest for internship program was published on May 15 and was open until May 24. During this period, in total 43 companies from the north responded to the Request and expressed their interest to hire interns. KCBS visited every company that applied, interviewed them and obtained basic information, thus creating basic profile of the companies which was earlier submitted to USAID (Milestone 5). During these interviews we obtained useful information regarding each company in terms of sector in which they operate, key products or services they produce or offer, turnover that they had during last year, the number of current employees, and number of interns that company needs, and that could be part of the project.

As soon as we had this information and profile of each company, KCBS has published Call for interns which was specifically designed to meet needs of companies that applied for internship program. Call for interns was published on June 8 and was open until June 15. Key information that interested applicants were obliged to submit was the sector in which they are interested to apply. During this period, in total 178 young persons applied for internship program. KCBS established internal committee to review applications and to pre-select interns. Basic criteria for pre-selection of interns was in which sector they applied, in order to match with profile of interested companies. KCBS committee has created preliminary list of 100 interns that were selected to be placed at companies. From this list, KCBS selected 50 interns that were at 11 selected companies, while second group of 50 interns was placed at 13 companies. KCBS prepared model internship contract in three languages, Albanian, Serbian and English, depending on the language that interns and companies choose. First group of interns started their internship term in July 1, 2019, while second group started on August 15, 2019.

KCBS conducted training for both groups of interns in which were present also majority of representatives of companies. The main purpose of the training was to explain the entire internship process, roles and responsibilities of intern, mentor and supervisor in company, and role of KCBS; as well explained financial considerations (payment amount and scheduling) both for company and intern. In financial terms, total cost per intern is 150 euros per month (gross payment), so for six months the total cost is 900 euros. USAID will cover 80% of this cost, i.e. 120 euros per month per intern, while companies will cover 20% of the cost, i.e. 30 euros. All companies will be required to provide evidence and proof for payment of their share with the list of employees and interns.

On this internship program we have eight Albanian-owned businesses, out of 24 selected businesses that applied, and 16 Serbian owned businesses. Out of 100 interns, there are 12 Albanians and 88 Serbs.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Signing agreement and soft skills training

During the month of July, KCBS internal committee reviewed applications and selected 50 interns to be placed on 11 companies.

KCBS signed the internship contracts between first 50 interns and 11 companies (attached to this Report as Annex 2 is list of the interns and companies where the interns were placed. These contracts are signed by three parties: intern, business and KCBS.

When it comes to skills in employment, the first line of emphasis is typically towards

Figure 4. Soft skills training abilities, training and knowledge of specific skill sets. These are referred to as hard skills. Soft skills, however, are often overlooked, yet they also play an important role in day-to-day operations.

Soft skills are personal attributes that enhance an individual’s interactions, job performance and career prospects. Unlike hard skills, which are about a person’s skill set and ability to perform a certain type of task or activity, soft skills are interpersonal and broadly applicable.

Main topics that interns are trained were on work ethics, communication, and problem solving.

Problem Solving

Being able to make quick decisions, think on their feet and solve simple problems are important employee traits. Even simple problems, such as a copier being out of toner can grind an office to a halt if no one displays these simple skills. At least one employee needs to have the ability to take charge of a situation and guide the others through if they have difficulty. The employees who display these decision-making skills are often excellent candidates for promotion to management level. Project management training can be especially useful in problem solving, as well.

During these trainings the interns have learned seven important skills they need to apply during their internship program, these skills will serve them also in the future when they will be engaged as full-time employees:

1. Leadership 2. Time management 3. Teamwork 4. Communication 5. Problem-solving 6. Ownership and 7. Critical thinking

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

KCBS organized two-day sessions for the first group of 50 interns and 2-day sessions for the second group of 50 interns, during these two days we have covered all above-mentioned subject and during these sessions we have included all interns who are placed to the companies, including their mentors.

KCBS thinks that they will be able to communicate more effectively with each other and with your clients or customers. We have equipped them with the skills to express themselves more clearly, listen, and tackle difficult conversations. They will be better able to delegate, provide feedback, accept feedback, take Figure 5. Intern signs contract responsibility, and motivate themselves and others to reach their targets, also they will be able to be proactive when it comes to recognizing problems and potential barriers to projects, tasks, and goals. Furthermore, they’ll be able to identify and implement solutions or offer alternative fixes, to “think outside the box” both creatively and critically. Using these skills, they will be able to weigh up their options, make informed decisions, making them more likely to achieve the desired results.

In addition to training, interns signed internship contracts.

Internship (Practical work)

1. Peppermint International is located in Leposavic municipality. The company produces essential oils through distillation/extraction processes from a wide variety of wild-growing medicinal and aromatic plants, also collecting and drying herbs. This company has recruited 9 interns who have worked continuously because of the working season.

Peppermint international is very thankful as a company for the interns our project provided to them, they are also thankful that they have been supported by other USAID projects.

Their first benefit was seeing the herbs and all the process of different products they company is preparing and finalizing for the market, since the education system is providing to them only theoretical lessons, but not practical, so they saw all the processes they have learned during their studies in practice.

They have been involved directly on the process like dividing herbs by the Figure 6. Interns on daily activities size the market needs, also they have at Peppermint International classified the products in different classes, fist, second and third class. Interns worked mostly with Lawanda, Rose marine, Etheric oil and teas of different flowers.

During our visit we have seen that the interns are very thankful for the Figure 7. Interns on daily activities at opportunity, they have been involved also on the packing process, and Peppermint International they have packed all the products according to the mentor’s instructions, including classification and by labeling them with the products name, companies name dates of production and expiring dates.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Below are some of the photos we have taken during our visits:

Figure 9. Interns on daily activities at Peppermint Figure 8. Interns on daily activities at Peppermint International International

2. Jevtic Farm is an agricultural business developed primarily with the assistance of USAID projects in Kosovo, mainly deals with vegetable growing in greenhouses and open field, it depends on the season but mainly with planting of different seasonal peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and salads.

Since the farm has expanded its production, they were interested to find young professional students to help them on the process, based on the needs KCBS selected number of interns and offered to the farm. Since interns are agriculture students, they helped the farm on preparing the soil, planting season vegetables, planting 50 ar strawberries and all vegetables that were possible to plant that time.

During this time interns also have taught from the farm owner and also KCBS experts some things they didn’t know, like how to treat the soil after harvesting, safe use of pesticides and other various issues that have not been encountered in practice before.

With the support of KCBS and interns, the farm has been able to extend production for up to 12 months over a year, also has been able to sign contracts with salad buyers in the southern part, which is the reason why he needed help from the interns.

Figure 7. Interns on post-harvest treatment at Jevtic farm

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

3.Company PP „TRGOPROMET“is doing trading with tires, pneumatics, servicing mechanization for factories and mines like bulldozer, grader and other means of transport in factories and mines. The company also deals with the metalwork’s or metal processing. Trgopromet offered the internship opportunity for six young professional

Figure 10 Intern at workplace

people, they have promised if the young interns show interest, they are in need of young Figure 8. Interns on post-harvest treatment at Jevtic farm professionals to employ them.

4. PTP "DekorIn" Leposavić was founded in 2011. The company is engaged in the manufacture of paneling furniture made of wood. In addition to furniture production, they also deal with custom-cut, bunting, design, furniture installation and custom-made sales. Tradition, quality work on professional machines and many years of experience of masters is what makes them different from other companies on the market. Interns are working in the factory and in the office too.

In these two photos you can see two of our interns working, the first one is mounting an office working table which was prepared completely by our interns, so one of them is finalizing it.

In the second photo is another intern who is cutting the boards in presence of the mentor who is mentoring and teaching him.

Figure 11 Intern at workplace

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

5. Company (“VGN NET“) is an Internet provider and it is becoming a modern enterprise offering full range of integrated services as well as content, in mobile communications, fixed telephony, digital cable TV and Internet services.to vide society of citizens and companies in Mitrovica area. The company has raised its capacities and it is pretending to expand its services in all northern part of Kosovo including Zvecan, Leposavic and Zubin Potok. Most probably VGN will sign working contacts with most of the interns. Below you are seeing two out of seven interns are placed in this company.

One of them is working in field and connecting internet cable while the other is working in the office receiving calls and taking care of the internet.

Most of the work of the interns is in field and resolving customers internet, TV and other problems they are facing day to day.

Figure 13. Interns in work place Figure 12. Interns in work place

6.Company (“Medina Kurti“) is engaged in production in greenhouses. Types of vegetables grown in a greenhouses include cucumbers, sweet pepper, lettuce and tomatoes. These vegetable are the most profitable due to its high consumption. This company has requested two interns and we have found them in the same village in order to be close and have no problems with traveling costs. The company Medina Kurti also supplies vegetables in the open air, and is one of the companies that produces and sells melons, and all production is pre-contracted. Below are some photos where the intern is working:

Figure 14. Interns in work place Figure 15. Interns in work place

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

7.TINI Nursery deals with the production, maintenance and sale of flower shoots, different trees, and the activity is mainly focused on the production of decorative trees and fruit shoots, also production of species of pine, cypress, deciduous and coniferous shrubs and trees. In this nursery KCBS sent two interns.

Figure 16. Interns in work place Figure 17. Interns in work place

8. Company (DOO „ZEROVNICA PREVOZ“) deals with the carriage of passengers and contracted rides by providing passenger transport services across Kosovo, Serbia, Monte Negro and all the Balkans and Europe. Interns are placed in the offices and doing administrative support, also working on the marketing and scheduling the lines and time frame.

Figure 19. Interns in work place Figure 18.Interns in work place

9. SZR Sveti Toma was founded in 2009. The company offers a range of food products that is already recognized by local customers because of its high quality. The businesses primary market is currently

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Leposavic municipality. However, a new business opportunity was discovered that would provide the opportunity to expand production in the facility itself, as well as sales and services in the larger territory of northern Kosovo. The company has two permanent workers and 5 part time employees as needed. They are planning to expand the scope of activities, because of the demand for catering services. The company expresses interest in new employees, and are recruiting new trainees.

Interns are involved in the work and directly contribute to capacity building and broader operation of the company.

Figure 20.Interns in work place Figure 21.Interns in work place

10. The company ("MILOŠ MAKSIMOVIĆ" I.B.) performs the tasks of installation, maintenance of air conditioners, a set of electro installations in newly built facilities, as well as maintenance in existing buildings. Speed and quality are their other name. In order to improve their services, they plan to expand and increase the number of workers.

KCBS provided to them two interns for electro installments in the buildings, mounting the air conditioners and servicing equipment.

Figure 22.Interns in work place Figure 23.Interns in work place 39

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Since the interns are doing a very good job, company is planning to keep them for longer that the internship program lasts, they are planning to sign the contract to continue doing the same job they are doing as interns.

11. ËMBËLSIA M&A SH.P.K

Is a small business that produces sweets for different customers in the north and south Mitrovica municipality, they have high demand from customers and want to increase production? They have asked KCBS for two interns and we have provided with two young students you can see below.

Figure 25.Interns in work place Figure 24.Interns in work place

Conclusions and recommendations

From this process and activities that KCBS has completed so far, we can conclude that:

• The placement of interns has been done on time and we have managed to place 50 interns in 11 companies • During this period KCBS has identified and selected other 50 students and companies for the second round • There is a need for more soft skills trainings and on job trainings for young people in the four northern municipalities • There is a need for vocational sector specific trainings

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Milestone 7. 50% of interns complete required internship and receive full-time job offer related to skills generated in internship

Status: Completed

One of the main issues in Kosovo, including its norther part, is unemployment, especially for young people. While there are many unemployed young people, there is a big demand from local companies for skilled workers. There is a huge gap in the capacities of those unemployed, not adequately addressed by the education system which should prepare young students for the market and the market demand itself. The main goal of this Internship program is to enable interns to safely work in agriculture and other related sectors while learning about business and agricultural practices and obtaining hands-on experience in business activities. Business internships offer practical experience relating to students’ background and education. These experiences support these young students to explore career and industry opportunities as they apply their knowledge to real business situations and this could lead to full-time employment offers. Businesses may correspondingly benefit from the exchange of fresh perspectives, ideas between businesses, interns, specialists, and the community.

Figure 26. Group photo at the end of internship certification ceremony

Greatest achievement of this component is that in total 51 interns from both groups retained their jobs, and continued to work with companies. From 51 interns, 50 are Kosovo Serbs and one is Kosovar Albanian; 19 are women and 32 are men. In total, 16 companies that are part of internship program agreed to retain interns.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Preparations activities for internship program

First phase of intern’s placement

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Soft skills training

During the month of July, KCBS internal committee reviewed applications and selected 50 interns to be placed on 11 companies (attached to this Report as Annex 1 is list of the companies)

Figure 27. Soft skills training When it comes to skills in employment, the first line of emphasis is typically towards abilities, training and knowledge of specific skill sets. These are referred to as hard skills. Soft skills, however, are often overlooked, yet they also play an important role in day-to-day operations.

3.2 Internship (Practical work)

1. TEXLAND D.O.O

Texland D.O.O - is established in December 2017 and deals with the production of baby and child clothes under the brand "Cicili", the brand includes the following programs: Baby program from 0 to 12 months: short and long sleeves for boys and girls, a kit for boy and girl bunny, boys and girls sweatshirts, bedding for boys and girls, a bedding kit for boys and girls, decorative pillows for boys and girls, bath towels for boys and girls, skirts and dresses for girls, baby tunic for girls and shirts for boys and girls, as well as trousers for boys and girls. Program for boys and girls from 1 to 7 years old: t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatshirts, pajama’s, linens, bath towels, skirts, dresses, shirts, trousers and shorts.

The owner of the firm acquired the experience in the textile industry in high school, working as a clothing model, where I put together a large number of models: women's skirts, dresses, shirts, tunics, trousers, jackets, coats, men's shirts, trousers, jackets, coats; then on the Fashion Design course (training organized by Kosovo Apparel Marketing Association-Kama, Tex Style and IOM) I brought up a ladies dress that will appear on Fashion Week in Prishtina. Texland employed five interns, four women and one man, all of them Kosovo Serbs.

2. Farm „GRADINA“

The farm Gradina is founded in 2014, the main activity is drying fruits, vegetables and medicinal herbs. The company has experience in drying fruits and vegetables, has plantations of fruit and vegetables in the area of 1 ha, in 2018 the farm managed to produce and dry out a certain amount of dried fruits and vegetables. The company needs expansion of the workforce, they need trainees who would improve the companies work, and they need 4 to 8 trainees which would significantly contribute to the work of the company. Last year they had turnover of under 10.000.00 euros. Company operates in its own

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020 facility Gradina. Company Gradina employed four interns, two women and two men, all of them Kosovo Serbs.

3. Private company "UNIVERS"

Owner: Radojko Vlašković P.P. UNIVERS is founded in 1992 in Mitrovica as a limited liability company (doo), registered on November 22, 2000. The company is engaged in the execution of construction works, trade, catering services, the founder and owner is Vlašković Radojko. The main offices of the company is located in the northern part of Kosovo, str. Lovcenska bb. From the very beginning Univers is dealing with the construction of houses, commercial buildings, smaller buildings and they have a special experience in the rehabilitation, adaptation and upgrading of private residential buildings. Company Univers employed five interns, all of them men, and all of them Kosovo Serbs.

4. Farma „DANILO“

Owner: Danilo Milutinović, Owner Location: Zvečan Farm (Farm „DANILO“ ) possess greenhouse for producing vegetables in area of around 5 ar and also has 2 ha of cherry trees in open field. As a farm they are producing different kind of vegetables and fruits and selling it on local markets and local shops. Farma Danilo employed two interns, both of them men, and both of them Kosovo Serbs.

5. SZR „MARKOVIĆ“

Owner: Vasilije Marković, Owner Location: Zubin Potok Company (SZR „MARKOVIĆ“) is producing mainly wood products, ranging from doors and windows, home stairs, chairs and tables and many other custom-made products. Last year they had turnover of under 20.000,00 e. Currently they employ 5 peoples, 4 are male and 1 are female. Company operates in its owned facility. Company SZR Markovic employed six interns, one woman and five men, all of them Kosovo Serbs.

6. DOO „AS PROMET“

Owner: Ivan Vukojičić, Owner Location: Leposavić Company „AS PROMET“ is established on 2002. The company deals with collection, storage, processing of forest products/fruits, and agricultural products. As a final product company has dried mushrooms, forest fruits and agricultural products ready for distribution. Last year they had turnover of over 100.000,00 e. Currently they employ 8 people, 4 are male and 4 are female. Company operates in its owned facility. Company AS Promet employed seven interns, four women and three men, six of them Kosovo Serbs, and one Kosovo Albanian.

7. Company „RWS“

Owner: Aleksandra Marković, Owner Location: Mitrovica

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

RWS Company is dealing with the design, development and maintenance of websites, site optimization, digital marketing and other related e-commerce work. Last year they had turnover of over 100.000,00 euros. Currently they employ 4 peoples, 3 are male and 1 is female. Company operates in rented facility. Company RWS employed five interns, four women and one man, all of them Kosovo Serbs.

8. „PALMA PLUS“ P.P

Owner: Veliborka Radomirović Location: Zubin Potok Company PALMA PLUS P.P is a company that deals with the organization of various celebrations and events, the company also owns the restaurant and the kitchen for these events, and also prepares and delivers food for a number of organizations and institution in the northern part of Kosovo. Last year they had turnover of under 40.000,00 euros. Currently they employ 9 people, 4 are male and 5 are female Company operates in its owned facility. Company RWS employed ten interns, one woman and nine men, all of them Kosovo Serbs.

9. DPZ "ZAKA",

Owner: Zakira Kelmendi,

Location: Str. Ahmet Selaci, No. 7 Mitrovice

DPZ Zaka, was founded in 2015 and deals with designing and sewing clothes.

The owner is originally from Novi Pazar where she has also completed some design courses. She has been working with a sewing machine for 40 years. She designs and sews clothes and then sells them in the same shop. There are no other workers except the intern. For about 12-13 years she regularly receives interns for 3-6 months through the Employment Bureau, a German organization, a Finnish organization and the HENDIKOS organization. I.e. has taught the sewing craft to people with disabilities from deaf community etc. She likes to teach the women’s this craft. Due to the nature of the job all interns are girls. The owner hopes to open a factory in the future where she would employ 4-5 workers, but for the moment it is not possible due to the lack of funds. Company DPZ Zaka employed one intern, women, Kosovo Albanian.

10.NSH "STAR"

Owner: Sali Sadiku,

Location: Str. Melihate Rama, nn. Mitrovica

NSH Star was founded in 2010. Initially it started as a car wash then later he was able to buy 5 vehicles to give for rent. There is also an employee besides the intern.

In the spring he is hoping to expand his job and he believes he will keep the intern. Company NSH Star employed one intern, one man, Kosovo Albanian.

11. NPSH “Alba Park”

Owner: Rushit Istrefi,

1 trainee for administrative work

Location: Shupkovc Mitrovice

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Alba Park is producing different figures, statues, busts etc from the concrete, the owner worked in Europe before and decided to come back and invest in Kosovo. In addition to the intern there are 4 male workers. The company started working in Kosovo in 2000. The company will decide together with the intern for the future steps. Company Park employed one intern, one woman, Kosovo Albanian.

12. Berat Sylejmani B.I.

Owner Genc Beka,

Location: Str. Evlio Celebi, no 28, Mitrovice.

Berat Sylejmani has been working for 3 years, it is registered as a company for buying and selling food but it functions also as a small city cafe, in addition to the intern there are 11 workers.

By spring and summer, the work usually increases and of course there will be a need for more workers. So, we believe we will keep the intern at work. Company Berat Sylejmani B.I. employed one intern, one man, Kosovo Albanian.

13. Poliklinika JETA Owners: Arton Jashari and Arbena Mehmeti,

Location: Kemail Ataturk, Mitrovice

The Policlinic Jeta is a clinic or health care facility in Mitrovica that provides both general and specialist examinations and treatments for a wide variety of diseases and injuries to outpatients and is usually independent of a hospital. They have started operating on June 9th of 2016 and currently have 22 employees. Company Poliklinika Jeta employed two interns, two women, both Kosovo Albanian.

Conclusions and recommendations

Students study very hard in the classroom, as well as in their lecture classes, but is always more difficult when they face practical challenge in real life. In fact, today more is needed practical experience rather than theoretical studies. This type of training is necessary for every student before he starts working in real life company. Students/interns spent six months at the companies for their internship training. This training provided them opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills within the practical business environment. Today, almost every serious company hires newly recruited people for first six months as evaluation and training period, and only after this period they provide to successful candidates permanent or long-term employment contract.

From this process and activities that KCBS during the implementation of internship program we can conclude that:

• The recruitment process was conducted using best practices, to match as much as possible market demand for interns with supply, i.e. students that applied for internship program. • Gender structure of interns was very balanced 42 women and 58 men • All interns were young, average age was 24 years • In ethnic ground, the data is not balanced, as only 7 were Kosovo Albanian and 93 were Kosovo Serbs. This is due to the fact that only few Kosovo Albanians responded to request for applications • The placement of interns has been done on time and we have managed to place 100 interns in 24 companies

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

• Most of companies didn’t pay taxes for salaries that they paid to interns; this was not project requirement though. • There is a need for more soft skills trainings and on job trainings for young people in the four northern municipalities • There is a need for vocational sector specific trainings

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

ANNEXES

Annex 1. List of farmers that received greenhouse

Nr. Emri dhe mbiemri Adresa Gender Ethnicity Municipality 1 Goran Milosevic S. Matica, Zvecan Male Serbian Zveçan 2 Dragica Perovic Žerovnica b.b., Zvecan Female Serbian Zveçan 3 Marinko Vuletic Žerovnica BB Male Serbian Zveçan 4 Miodrag Milutinovic Žerovnica Male Serbian Zveçan 5 Nemanja Gvozdic Postenje, Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq Naselje Tvrdjan b.b. 6 Milan Janosevic Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 7 Milosh Milosavljevic Bube, Zubin Potok Male Serbian Zubin Potok 8 Nikola Jovanovic Zubin Potok Male Serbian Zubin Potok 9 Predrag Obradovic Čitluk Male Serbian Zubin Potok 10 Stanoje Orlovic Zubin Potok Male Serbian Zubin Potok 11 Bejtullah Kurti Fsh. Çabër, Zubin Potok Male Albanian Zubin Potok 12 Solobodan Raskovic S. Dren, Zubin Potok Male Serbian Zubin Potok 13 Milorad Vicentijevic S. Ugljare - Zubin Potok Male Serbian Zubin Potok 14 Andrija Kuzmanovic S. Postenje Male Serbian Leposaviq 15 Ramadan Kahrimani Fsh. Çabër, Zubin Potok Male Albanian Zubin Potok 16 Maja Trpkovic Miletic Grabovac Polje BB,Zvecan Female Serbian Zveçan

17 Milos Miljojkovic Gornja Socanica, Maljice Male Serbian Leposaviq 18 Vojkan Tomovic Međeđi Potok, Zubin Potok Male Serbian Zubin Potok 19 Aleksandar Mihajlovic Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 20 Marija Milovanovic Donje Varage, Zubin Potok Female Serbian Zubin Potok 21 Miodrag Vucic Srbovac, Zvecan Male Serbian Zveçan 22 Marko Radojevic S. Dren, Zubin Potok Male Serbian Zubin Potok 23 Stojan Milojevic S. Vuča, Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq S. Gornje Jarinje bb, 24 Marko Milivojevic Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 25 Nikola Mihajlovic Župće, Zubin Potok Male Serbian Zubin Potok 26 Mirjana Todorovic Tvrdjan, Leposavic Female Serbian Leposaviq 27 Aleksandar Vulovic Gornji Krnjin, Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 28 Momcilo Vukadinovic S. Drenova, Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq Arsenije Čarnojević 69, Zubin 29 Slavko Djinovic Potok Male Serbian Zubin Potok 30 Danilo Milutinovic S. Grabovac bb, Zvecan Male Serbian Zveçan 31 Miljan Jevtic S. Matica, Zvecan Male Serbian Zveçan 32 Predrag Vukadinovic Kivčiće, Leposavić Male Serbian Leposaviq 33 Sinisa Radosavljevic S. Donji Krnjin, Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 34 Petronije Bisevac S. Jabuka - Zubin Potok Male Serbian Zubin Potok 35 Uros Vasovic Donji Krnjin, Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq Leposavsko Polje b.b. 36 Milomir Nedeljkovic Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

37 Ljiljana Sekulic Gornji Krnjin, Leposavic Female Serbian Leposaviq 38 Svetozar Bascarevic Kol. Knezeva, Zubin Potok Male Serbian Zubin Potok 39 Nedeljko Milojevic S. Vuča, Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 40 Marko Ninic Jarinje, Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 41 Sinisa Simic S. Plakaonica, Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 42 Branko Vucinic S. Vuča, Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 43 Dejan Rakic Zupče, Zubin Potok Male Serbian Zubin Potok 44 Jovan Miladinovic S. Vuča, Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 45 Vidoje Miletic S. Grabovac Male Serbian Zveçan 46 Selvete Murseli Koshijtove, Leposavic Female Albanian Leposaviq 47 Slobodan Aritonovic Zitkovac, Zvecan Male Serbian Zveçan 48 Slavisa Vuckovic S. Gnezdane, Leposavic Female Serbian Leposaviq 49 Lalce Radovanovic S. Zavrata, Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 50 Miljan Vukadinovic S. Kijevcice, Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 51 Nenad Georgijev Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 52 Nikola Stanojevic Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 53 Marko Milenkovic Koporice, b.b. Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 54 Milan Niciforovic Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 55 Vera Trifunovic S. Vuča, Leposavic Female Serbian Leposaviq 56 Tomislav Vukicevic Kajkovo b.b. Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 57 Goran Stefanovic Beluce, Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 58 Radoica Trboljevac Kutnje Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 59 Zivko Dimitrijevic S. Dren, Zubin Potok Male Serbian Zubin Potok 60 Vladan Antonijevic Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 61 Milutin Milutinovic Beluce, Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 62 Slavica Mirkovic Zvecan Female Serbian Zveçan 63 Dragisa Danilovic Zemanica, Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 64 Radovan Barac Trebice, Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 65 Milos Petrovic Joševik, Zvecan Male Serbian Zveçan 66 Mladen Milutinovic Beluce, Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 67 Zoran Maksovic Banjska, Zvecan Male Serbian Zveçan 68 Milenko Lazarevic Zubin Potok Male Serbian Zubin Potok 69 Milan Minic Tvrdjan b.b. Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 70 Miroljub Djelosevic S. Tvrdan, Leposavic Male Serbian Leposaviq 71 Feriz Aliu Ceraje, leposavic Male Albanian Leposaviq

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Annex 2. List of contracts with existing farmers (as direct result from B2B)

No. Company/Buyer Location Type Unit Quantity Farmer/Producer/Company Location

Cornishon kg 1,500 1 FRESH Podujevë Svetozar Bascarevic Zubin Potok. Tomatoe kg 3,000

2 DST Ferizaj Strawberry kg 5,000 Goran Jevtic Grabovac, Zvecan

Pepper kg 1,500

3 Doni Fruits Ferizaj Cornishon kg 3,000 Ramadan Kahrimani Çabër, Z. Potok

Tomatoe kg 10,000

Pepper kg 5,000

Cornishon kg 4,000 4 Doni Fruits Ferizaj Bejtullah Kurti Çabër, Z. Potok Tomatoe kg 8,000

Mellon kg 10,000

Medic. Arom. Peppermint Internacional 5 APS Istog kg Unlimited Vuće, Mitrovica Plant LLC.

6 Eurofruti Prishtinë Strawberry kg 5,000 Goran Jevtic Grabovac, Zvecan

7 Agroserra Mitrovicë Lettuce pcs 3,000 Aleksandar Vulovic Krnjin, Leposavic

8 FRESH Podujevë Cornishon kg 1,800 Maja Trpkovic Miletic Grabovac . Zvecan

9 Agroserra Mitrovicë Lettuce pcs 2,500 Maja Trpkovic Miletic Grabovac. Zvecan

10 Doni Fruits Ferizaj Pepper kg 1,800 Maja Trpkovic Miletic Grabovac. Zvecan

11 Doni Fruits Ferizaj Pepper kg 800 Branko Vucinic Vuca. Leposavic

12 FRESH Podujeve Tomatoe Kg 2,000 Miodrag Milutinovic Zerovnica, Zvecan

13 Doni Fruits Ferizaj Pepper Kg 1,500 Miodrag Milutinovic Zerovnica, Zvecan

14 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs 1,500 Miodrag Milutinovic Zerovnica, Zvecan

15 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg 1,000 Stanoje Orlovic Ugljare, Z.Potok

16 Doni Fruits Ferizaj Pepper Kg 2,000 Stanoje Orlovic Ugljare, Z.Potok

17 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs 3,500 Stanoje Orlovic Ugljare, Z.Potok

G. Socanica. 18 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg 4,000 Milos Miljojkovic Leposavic

G. Socanica. 19 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs 4,000 Milos Miljojkovic Leposavic

20 Doni Fruits Ferizaj Pepper Kg 2,500 Vojkan Tomovic M. Potok, Z. Potok

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

No. Company/Buyer Location Type Unit Quantity Farmer/Producer/Company Location

21 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs 2,500 Vojkan Tomovic M. Potok, Z.|Potok

22 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg 5,000 Slavko Djinovic Jesa, Z. Potok

23 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs 4,000 Slavko Djinovic Jesa, Z. Potok

24 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe kg 5,500 Milan Jevtic Matica, Zvecan

25 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs 3,000 Milan Jevtic Matica, Zvecan

26 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg 3,000 Petronije Bisevac Jabuka, Z. Potok

27 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs 3,000 Petronije Bisevac Jabuka, Z. Potok

28 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg 3,500 Milomir Nedeljkovic Leposavic

29 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs 3,000 Milomir Nedeljkovic Leposavic

30 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg 3,000 Dejan Rakic Zupce, Z. Potok

31 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs 3,000 Dejan Rakic Zupce, Z. potok

32 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg 6,000 Slobodan Aritonovic Zitkovac, Zvecan

33 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs 5,000 Slobodan Aritonovic Zitkovac, Zvecan

34 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg 3,500 Zivko Dimitrijevic Dren, Leposavic

35 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs 3,000 Zivko Dimitrijevic Dren, Leposavic

36 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg 5,000 Milutin Milutinovic Beluce, Leposavic

37 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs 5,000 Milutin Milutinovic Beluce, Leposavic

38 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg 3,500 Mladen Milutinivic Beluce, Leposavic

39 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs 3,500 Mladen Milutionovic Beluce, Leposavic

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Annex 3. List of contracts with new farmers (as direct result from B2B)

No. Company/Buyer Location Type Unit Quantity Farmer/Producer/Company Location

1 DST Ferizaj Raspberry kg Miroslav Todorovic Leshak 6,000.00

2 DST Ferizaj Raspberry kg Momćilo Vukanović Leshak 4,500.00

3 FRESH Podujevë Tomatoe kg Jovan Miladinovic Vuca Leposavic 1,500.00

4 FRESH Podujevë Tomatoe kg Branko Vucinic Vuca. Leposavic 1,000.00

5 Agroserra Mitrovicë Lettuce pcs Jovan Miladinovic Vuca. Leposavic 1,500.00

6 Agroserra Mitrovicë Lettuce pcs Branko Vucinic Vuca. Leposavic 1,500.00

7 Doni Fruits Ferizaj Pepper kg Jovan Miladinovic Vuca . Leposavic 1,000.00

8 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg Goran Milosevic Matica , Zvecan 1,500.00

9 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Goran Milosevic Matica, Zvecan 1,000.00

10 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg Dragica Perovic Zerovnica, Zvecan 1,200.00

11 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Dragica Perovic Zerovnica, Zvecan 1,000.00

12 Fresh Podujeva Tomatoe kg Nemanja Gvozdic Postenje,Leposavic 1,000.00

13 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Nemanja Gvozdic Postenje,Leposavic 1,500.00

G.jarinje, 14 Fresh Podujeva Tomatoe kg Milan Janosevic 1,500.00 Leposavic

15 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Milan Janosevic G.jarinje Leposavic 1,500.00

16 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg Nikola Jovanovic Zubin Potok 1,000.00

17 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Nikola Jovanovic Zubin Potok 1,500.00

18 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg Slobodan Raskovic Dren, Z. Potok 1,300.00

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

No. Company/Buyer Location Type Unit Quantity Farmer/Producer/Company Location

19 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Slobodan Raskovic Dren, Z.Potok 1,300.00

Postenje, 20 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg Andrija Kuzmanovic 1,500.00 Leposavic

21 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Andrija Kuzmanovic Postenje Leposavic 1,500.00

22 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg Aleksandar Mihajlovic Leposavic 1,500.00

23 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Aleksandar Mihajlovic Leposavic 1,500.00

24 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg Miodrag Vucic Srbovac , Zvecan 1,000.00

25 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Miodrag Vucic Srbovac, Zvecan 1,200.00

26 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg Marko Milivojevic Jarinje, Leposavic 3,000.00

27 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Marko Milivojevic Jarinje, Leposavic 3,000.00

28 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg Nikola Mihailovic Zupce, Z. Potok 1,500.00

29 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Nikola Mihailovic Zupce, Z. Potok 1,300.00

Zemanica, 30 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg Mirjana Todorovic 3,000.00 Leposavic

Zemanica, 31 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Mirjana Todorovic 1,500.00 Leposavic

Drenova, 32 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg Milos Vukadinovic 2,000.00 Leposavic

Drenova, 33 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Milos Vukadinovic 1,500.00 Leposavic

34 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg Predrag Vukadinovic Kijevcici, Leposavic 1,200.00

35 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Predrag Vukadinovic Kijevcici, Leposavic 1,500.00

36 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg Vidoje Miletic Grabovac, Zveczn 3,000.00

37 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Vidoje Miletic Grabovac, Zvecan 3,000.00

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

No. Company/Buyer Location Type Unit Quantity Farmer/Producer/Company Location

Gnezdane, 38 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg Slavisa Vuckovic 1,000.00 Leposavic

Gnezdane, 39 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Slavisa Vuckovic 1,000.00 Leposavic

40 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg Lalce Radovanovic Zavrata, Leposavic 1,500.00

41 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Lalce Radovanovic Zavrata, Leposavic 1,500.00

Kijevcice, 42 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg Miljan Vukadinovic 1,500.00 Leposavic

Kijevcice, 43 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Miljan Vukadinovic 1,500.00 Leposavic

Koporice, 44 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg Marko Milenkovic 2,000.00 Leposavic

Koporice, 45 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Marko Milenkovic 1,500.00 Leposavic

46 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg Slavica Mirkovic Sendo, Zvecan 1,300.00

47 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Slavica Mirkovic Sendo, Zvecan 1,300.00

48 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg Zoran Maksovic Banjska Zvecan 1,000.00

49 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Zoran Maksovic Banjska, Zvecan 1,200.00

50 FRESH Podujeva Tomatoe Kg Miroslav Lazarevic Uglar, Z. Potok 1,500.00

51 Agroserra Mitrovica Lettuce Pcs Miroslav Lazarevic Uglar, Z. Potok 1,500.00

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Annex 4: List of businesses that expressed interest to hire interns

Name of the No. Products/Services Municipality Sector Owner company

Production of baby and 1 TEXLAND D.O.O Leposaviq/Leposavić Textile Zorica Milosavljević child clothes Wood 2 TP Dekor In Panel furniture Leposaviq/Leposavić Bojan Kostović processing Food 3 SZR Sveti Toma Cattering services Leposaviq/Leposavić Aleksandar Bojović processing Drying of fruits, 4 Farm GRADINA vegetables and medicinal Leposaviq/Leposavić Agriculture Aleksandar Miletić herbs Farm GORAN 5 Walnuts Zubin Potok Agriculture Goran Radivojević RADIVOJEVIĆ Private company Construction of houses, 6 Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Construction Radojko Vlašković UNIVERS commercial buildings Private company 7 Security company Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Services Stevan Lacković GARD VUK D.O.O. Individual Business: 8 Berries Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Agriculture Momčilo Arlov MOMCILO ARLOV I.B. EXTREME SPORTS 9 ASSOCIATION Extreme sports Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Services Nemanja Djukanović SPARTAN Individual business 10 JOVANA AJDUKOVIĆ” Market research Zveçan/Zvecan Services Jovana Ajduković I. B. Company Processing of medicinal 11 PEPPERMINT Leposaviq/Leposavić Agriculture Stojan Milojević herbs INTERNATIONAL 12 D.O.O. ROJ Bees Leposaviq/Leposavić Agriculture Vesna Trifunović Individual business 13 Greenhouse production Zubin Potok Agriculture Bejtullah Kurti MEDINA KURTI I.B. Strengthening the Organization position of non- 14 ASOCIJACIJA ZA governmental Leposaviq/Leposavić Services Branko Marinković RAZVOJ LEPOSAVIĆA organizations in Leposavić LOKALNI SAVET OMLADINSKOG Develeopment of youth 15 Leposaviq/Leposavić Services Dušan Milanović DELOVANJA- projects LEPOSAVIC Preservation, Organization improvement and 16 Leposaviq/Leposavić Services Dušan Milanović HEALTHY LIFE improvement of the health Organization 17 FREEDOM AND Media Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Services Marija Marković FUTURE Internet and 18 VGN NET Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Services Milidragović Nemanja communication Individual business Ljubisav Arsić 19 Job counseling Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Services LJUBISAV ARSIĆ I.B

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Name of the No. Products/Services Municipality Sector Owner company

Organization 20 PLANINARSKI KLUB Mountaineering Zveçan/Zvecan Services Nikola Radojković SAMIT Individual business 21 Photocopy Leposaviq/Leposavić Services Nikola Todić NIKOLA TODIĆ I.B D.O.O. TRAFFIC- 22 ENGINEERING Architecture Leposaviq/Leposavić Services Dragan Radovanović RADOVANOVIĆ 23 Farm JEVTIĆ Greenhouse production Zveçan/Zvecan Agriculture Goran Jevtić Organization 24 Advocacy Leposaviq/Leposavić Services Aleksandar Bojović PRIJATELJSTVO 25 Farm DANILO Greenhouse production Zveçan/Zvecan Agriculture Danilo Milutinović 26 Farm Lalče Pig farming Leposaviq/Leposavić Agriculture Lalče Radovanović 27 D.O.O. DELTA Agriculture and Trade Leposaviq/Leposavić Agriculture Radovan Barać Individual business 28 Electric works Zveçan/Zvecan Services Miloš Maksimović MILOŠ MAKSIMOVIĆ 29 PP TAK Contruction services Zveçan/Zvecan Services Gvozdić Nebojša Wood 30 SZR MARKOVIĆ Doors and windows Zubin Potok Vasilije Marković processing 31 D.O.O. AS PROMET Forest fruits Leposaviq/Leposavić Agriculture Ivan Vukojičić Individual business Food 32 Biscuits Zveçan/Zvecan Milivoje Perović MILIVOJE PEROVIĆ processing Organization ZENSKI Support to women in 33 Zveçan/Zvecan Services Sandra Dobrić KULTURNI CENTAR business Individual business 34 Greenhouse production Zveçan/Zvecan Agriculture Dragica Perović DRAGICA PEROVIĆ 35 Farm TRBOLJEVAC Bakery Leposaviq/Leposavić Agriculture Danica Trboljevac 36 PP MILKAMIR Traditional clothes Zveçan/Zvecan Textile Milosava Marković 37 Company RWS Websites Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Services Aleksandra Marković Heavy machinery 38 PP TRGOPROMET Zveçan/Zvecan Services Rajko Marković servicing D.O.O. ZEROVNICA 39 Passenger transports Zveçan/Zvecan Services Dragana Čukarić PREVOZ Veledrogerija PANTA- 40 Cosmetics Zveçan/Zvecan Trade Vojislav Laketić REI Food 41 EMBELSIA M&A shp.k. Cakes and baklava Zubin Potok Sela Imeri processing 42 TOČAK D.O.O. Car tires and oil Zveçan/Zvecan Trade Andjelković Marinko 43 PALMA PLUS P.P. Event company Zubin Potok Services Veliborka Radomirović 44 DPZ ZAKA Textile Zubin Potok Textile 1 Zakira Kelmendi 45 NSH STAR Car wash Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Services 1 Sali Sadiku 46 Poliklinika Jeta Health care clinic Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Services 22 Sabit Mehmeti 47 N.P.SH.” Alba Park” Figures from concrete Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Production 4 Rushit Istrefi BERAT SYLEJMANI 48 Trade and coffe house Zubin Potok Services 11 Genc Beka B.I.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Annex 5: List of businesss where interns were placed

No. Name of the company Products/Services Municipality Sector Owner

1 Production of baby and TEXLAND D.O.O Leposaviq/Leposavić Textile Zorica Milosavljević child clothes 2 Wood TP Dekor In Panel furniture Leposaviq/Leposavić Bojan Kostović processing 3 Food SZR Sveti Toma Cattering services Leposaviq/Leposavić Aleksandar Bojović processing 4 Drying of fruits, vegetables Farm GRADINA Leposaviq/Leposavić Agriculture Aleksandar Miletić and medicinal herbs 5 Private company Construction of houses, Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Construction Radojko Vlašković UNIVERS commercial buildings 6 Company PEPPERMINT Processing of medicinal Leposaviq/Leposavić Agriculture Stojan Milojević INTERNATIONAL herbs 7 Individual business Greenhouse production Zubin Potok Agriculture Bejtullah Kurti MEDINA KURTI I.B. 8 Internet and VGN NET Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Services Milidragović Nemanja communication 9 Farm JEVTIĆ Greenhouse production Zveçan/Zvecan Agriculture Goran Jevtić 10 Farm DANILO Greenhouse production Zveçan/Zvecan Agriculture Danilo Milutinović 11 Individual business Electric works Zveçan/Zvecan Services Miloš Maksimović MILOŠ MAKSIMOVIĆ 12 Wood SZR MARKOVIĆ Doors and windows Zubin Potok Vasilije Marković processing 13 D.O.O. AS PROMET Forest fruits Leposaviq/Leposavić Agriculture Ivan Vukojičić 14 Company RWS Websites Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Services Aleksandra Marković 15 PP TRGOPROMET Heavy machinery servicing Zveçan/Zvecan Services Rajko Marković 16 D.O.O. ZEROVNICA Passenger transports Zveçan/Zvecan Services Dragana Čukarić PREVOZ Food 17 EMBELSIA M&A shp.k. Cakes and baklava Zubin Potok Sela Imeri processing 18 PALMA PLUS P.P. Event company Zubin Potok Services Veliborka Radomirović 19 DPZ ZAKA Textile Zubin Potok Textile Zakira Kelmendi 20 NSH STAR Car wash Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Services Sali Sadiku 21 Poliklinika Jeta Health care clinic Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Services Sabit Mehmeti 22 N.P.SH.” Alba Park” Figures from concrete Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Production Rushit Istrefi 23 BERAT SYLEJMANI B.I. Trade and coffe house Zubin Potok Services Genc Beka 24 N.P. Fidanishtja "TINI" Greenhouse production Zubin Potok Agriculture Ramadan Kahrimani

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Annex 6: List of selected interns and companies (Group I)

Nr. Name and Surname Gender Ethnicity Company where interns is placed

1 Jelica Milojević Female K - Serb PP"PEPPERMINT INTERNATIONAL" 2 Anđela Perić Female K - Serb "VGN NET" D.O.O. 3 Tamara Markovic Female K - Serb "VGN NET" D.O.O. 4 Jelena Stankovic Female K - Serb PP"PEPPERMINT INTERNATIONAL" 5 Tijana Stolić Female K - Serb PP"PEPPERMINT INTERNATIONAL" 6 Dušan Savić Male K - Serb SZR Sveti Toma 7 Ivan Ratković Male K - Serb SZR Sveti Toma 8 Veljko Vučetić Male K - Serb PP"PEPPERMINT INTERNATIONAL" 9 Marko Banović Male K - Serb PTP "DEKOR IN" 10 Bojan Jevtić Male K - Serb SZR Sveti Toma 11 Stefan Ɖorđević Male K - Serb PTP "DEKOR IN" 12 Stefan Radovanović Male K - Serb Farma"Jevtić" 13 Katarina Radojević Female K - Serb PP"PEPPERMINT INTERNATIONAL" 14 Anđelka Radosavljević Female K - Serb "VGN NET" D.O.O. 15 Dušan Borisavljević Male K - Serb "VGN NET" D.O.O. 16 Dušan Stamenković Male K - Serb "VGN NET" D.O.O. 17 Nemanja Popović Male K - Serb Farma"Jevtić" 18 Miloš Trajković Male K - Serb Farma"Jevtić" 19 Radovan Vukajlović Male K - Serb Farma"Jevtić" 20 Marija Vasović Female K - Serb PP"PEPPERMINT INTERNATIONAL" 21 Aleksandra Ilić Female K - Serb PTP "DEKOR IN" 22 Ivana Vučinić Female K - Serb PP"PEPPERMINT INTERNATIONAL" 23 Andrijana Radović Female K - Serb PP"PEPPERMINT INTERNATIONAL" 24 Marina Spasojević Female K - Serb PP"PEPPERMINT INTERNATIONAL" 25 Nataša Branković Female K - Serb SZR Sveti Toma 26 Dušan Simonović Male K - Serb Farma"Jevtić" 27 Filip Popović Male K - Serb "VGN NET" D.O.O. 28 Nikolina Ɖorđević Female K - Serb SZR Sveti Toma 29 Slobodan Radičević Male K - Serb SZR Sveti Toma 30 Sava Marković Male K - Serb PTP "DEKOR IN" 31 Darko Jovanović Male K - Serb PTP "DEKOR IN" 32 Jelena Vasović Female K - Serb "VGN NET" D.O.O. 33 Uroš Pajković Male K - Serb Miloš Maksimović I.B 34 Lazar Živić Male K - Serb Miloš Maksimović I.B 35 Faton Kurti Male K - Alb N.P. Fidanishtja "TINI" 36 Kosovare Imeri Female K - Alb MEDINA KURTI I.B. 37 Valentina Kurti Female K - Alb ËMBËLSIA M&A SH.P.K. 38 Vlora Imeri Female K - Alb N.P. Fidanishtja "TINI" 39 Danilo Josifović Male K - Serb ŽEROVNICA PREVOZ D.O.O. 40 Strahinja Ćeranić Female K - Serb ŽEROVNICA PREVOZ D.O.O. 41 Danica Šćepanović Female K - Serb ŽEROVNICA PREVOZ D.O.O. 42 Milica Marković Female K - Serb ŽEROVNICA PREVOZ D.O.O. 43 Nikola Mirković Male K - Serb "TRGOPROMET" D.O.O. 44 Milić Marko Male K - Serb "TRGOPROMET" D.O.O. 45 Aleksandar Laban Female K - Serb "TRGOPROMET" D.O.O. 46 Ivana Vlahović Male K - Serb "TRGOPROMET" D.O.O. 47 Altin Kahrimani Male K - Alb MEDINA KURTI I.B. 48 Habibe Kahrimani Female K - Serb ËMBËLSIA M&A SH.P.K. 49 Dragan Vićentijević Male K - Serb "TRGOPROMET" D.O.O. 50 Marija Stojanović Female K - Serb "TRGOPROMET" D.O.O.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Annex 7: List of selected interns and companies (Group II)

Nr. Name and Surname Gender Ethnicity Company where interns is placed

1 Arjeta Beqiri Female K - Alb DPZ ZAKA 2 Rron Haxha Male K - Alb NSH STAR 3 Edona Kahrimani Female K - Alb Poliklinika Jeta 4 Flaka Bunjaku Female K - Alb N.P.SH.”Alba Park” 5 Kahriman Kahrimani Male K - Alb BERAT SYLEJMANI B 6 Elsa Cimili Female K - Alb Poliklinika Jeta 7 Bojan Stević Male K - Serb "AS PROMET" D.O.O. 8 Andrijana Ivanović Female K - Serb "AS PROMET" D.O.O. 9 Ana Vukojčić Female K - Serb "AS PROMET" D.O.O. 10 Ismail Uka Male K - Serb S.Z.R. "MARKOVIĆ" 11 Lazar Milojević Male K - Alb "AS PROMET" D.O.O. 12 Radomir Vučinić Male K - Serb "AS PROMET" D.O.O. 13 Jelena Cvejić Female K - Serb "AS PROMET" D.O.O. 14 Sara Vukojičić Female K - Serb "AS PROMET" D.O.O. 15 Dušan Milanović Male K - Serb Farma "GRADINA" 16 Kristina Virijević Female K - Serb Farma "GRADINA" 17 Marko Vučinić Male K - Serb P.P. "PALMA PLUS" 18 Mihajlo Jovanović Male K - Serb P.P. "PALMA PLUS" 19 Slobodan Milić Male K - Serb P.P. "PALMA PLUS" 20 Danijela Radomirović Female K - Serb S.Z.R. "MARKOVIĆ" 21 Milan Vučinić Male K - Serb P.P. "PALMA PLUS" 22 Marko Jočić Male K - Serb S.Z.R. "MARKOVIĆ" 23 Predrag Radovanović Male K - Serb S.Z.R. "MARKOVIĆ" 24 Jovana Milutinović Female K - Serb "TEXLAND" D.O.O. 25 Luka Jovanović Male K - Serb "TEXLAND" D.O.O. 26 Mirjana Živić Female K - Serb "TEXLAND" D.O.O. 27 Tatjana Djelosević Female K - Serb "TEXLAND" D.O.O. 28 Darko Pantić Male K - Serb P.P. "UNIVERS" 29 Ljubomir Živić Male K - Serb P.P. "UNIVERS" 30 Miloš Mirković Male K - Serb P.P. "UNIVERS" 31 Miljan Vučinić Male K - Serb P.P. "UNIVERS" 32 Vladimir Živković Male K - Serb P.P. "UNIVERS" 33 Aleksandar Alagić Male K - Serb Farma "GRADINA" 34 Violeta Stojanović Female K - Serb Farma "GRADINA" 35 Savo Perović Male K - Serb P.P. "PALMA PLUS" 36 Ninoslav Janićijević Male K - Serb "RWS COMPANY" D.O.O. 37 Kristina Vasović Female K - Serb "RWS COMPANY" D.O.O. 38 David Krstić Male K - Serb Farma "DANILO" 39 Lazar Radović Male K - Serb Farma "DANILO" 40 Milica Mandić Female K - Serb "RWS COMPANY" D.O.O. 41 Jovana Trajković Female K - Serb "RWS COMPANY" D.O.O. 42 Ana Radosavljević Female K - Serb "RWS COMPANY" D.O.O. 43 Nikola Božović Male K - Serb P.P. "PALMA PLUS" 44 Božidar Kasalović Male K - Serb S.Z.R. "MARKOVIĆ" 45 Ivan Filipović Male K - Serb P.P. "PALMA PLUS" 46 Gordana Jakšić Female K - Serb P.P. "PALMA PLUS" 47 Siniša Milosavljević Male K - Serb P.P. "PALMA PLUS" 48 Petar Nešić Male K - Serb S.Z.R. "MARKOVIĆ" 49 Jovana Radaković Female K - Serb "TEXLAND" D.O.O. 50 Dalibor Milojević Male K - Serb P.P. "PALMA PLUS"

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Annex 8: List of interns and companies that signed long-term employment contracts, converting interns into full-time employees

Nr Name and Surname Gender Ethnicity Company where intern will start to work

1 Aleksandra Ilić Female K - Serb PTP "DEKOR IN" 2 Ana Radosavljević Women K - Serb "RWS COMPANY" D.O.O. 3 Ana Vukojčić Women K - Serb "AS PROMET" D.O.O. 4 Anđela Perić Female K - Serb "VGN NET" D.O.O. 5 Anđelka Radosavljević Female K - Serb "VGN NET" D.O.O. 6 Andrijana Ivanović Women K - Serb "AS PROMET" D.O.O. 7 Dalibor Milojević Man K - Serb P.P. "PALMA PLUS" 8 Danica Šćepanović Female K - Serb ŽEROVNICA PREVOZ D.O.O. 9 Danijela Radomirović Women K - Serb S.Z.R. "MARKOVIĆ" 10 Danilo Josifović Male K - Serb ŽEROVNICA PREVOZ D.O.O. 11 Darko Jovanović Male K - Serb PTP "DEKOR IN" 12 David Krstić Man K - Serb Farma "DANILO" 13 Dragan Vićentijević Male K - Serb "TRGOPROMET" D.O.O. 14 Dušan Borisavljević Male K - Serb "VGN NET" D.O.O. 15 Dušan Simonović Male K - Serb Farma"Jevtić" 16 Dušan Stamenković Male K - Serb "VGN NET" D.O.O. 17 Filip Popović Male K - Serb "VGN NET" D.O.O. 18 Ismail Uka Man K - Albanian S.Z.R. "MARKOVIĆ" 19 Ivana Vučinić Female K - Serb PP"PEPPERMINT INTERNATIONAL" 20 Jelena Vasović Female K - Serb "VGN NET" D.O.O. 21 Jelica Milojević Female K - Serb PP"PEPPERMINT INTERNATIONAL" 22 Jovana Radaković Women K - Serb "TEXLAND" D.O.O. 23 Jovana Trajković Women K - Serb "RWS COMPANY" D.O.O. 24 Kristina Vasović Women K - Serb "RWS COMPANY" D.O.O. 25 Lazar Radović Man K - Serb Farma "DANILO" 26 Lazar Živić Male K - Serb Miloš Maksimović I.B 27 Ljubomir Živić Man K - Serb P.P. "UNIVERS" 28 Luka Jovanović Man K - Serb "TEXLAND" D.O.O. 29 Marko Jocić Man K - Serb S.Z.R. "MARKOVIĆ" 30 Marko Marković Man K - Serb P.P. "UNIVERS" 31 Marko Vučinić Man K - Serb P.P. "PALMA PLUS" 32 Milica Marković Female K - Serb ŽEROVNICA PREVOZ D.O.O. 33 Miljan Vučinić Man K - Serb P.P. "UNIVERS" 34 Miloš Trajković Male K - Serb Farma"Jevtić" 35 Mirjana Živić Women K - Serb "TEXLAND" D.O.O. 36 Mirko Lakićević Male K - Serb SZR Sveti Toma 37 Nemanja Popović Male K - Serb Farma"Jevtić" 38 Nikola Bozovic Man K - Serb P.P. "PALMA PLUS

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

39 Nikola Mirković Male K - Serb "TRGOPROMET" D.O.O. 40 Nikolina Ɖorđević Female K - Serb SZR Sveti Toma 41 Ninoslav Janićijević Man K - Serb "RWS COMPANY" D.O.O. 42 Petar Nešić Man K - Serb S.Z.R. "MARKOVIĆ" 43 Predrag Radovanović Man K - Serb S.Z.R. "MARKOVIĆ" 44 Radovan Vukajlović Male K - Serb Farma"Jevtić" 45 Sara Vukojičić Women K - Serb "AS PROMET" D.O.O. 46 Siniša Milosavljević Man K - Serb P.P. "PALMA PLUS" 47 Slobodan Milić Man K - Serb P.P. "PALMA PLUS" 48 Slobodan Radičević Male K - Serb SZR Sveti Toma 49 Tatjana Djelosević Women K - Serb "TEXLAND" D.O.O. 50 Veljko Vučetić Male K - Serb PP"PEPPERMINT INTERNATIONAL" 51 Vladimir Živković Man K - Serb P.P. "UNIVERS"

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Annex 9. STTA Report (technical support to farmers)

Terms of engagement

KCBS will provide technical support for the entire production cycle, beginning with seed selection, seedling production, planting, harvesting and post-harvesting, and finally the market linkages. As for the new farmers, KCBS will provide technical assistance for business establishment and their business operations. After this initial support, these farmers will participate with our group of existing farmers in trainings and other activities that KCBS will organize. Certain trainings on greenhouse management, drip irrigation, greenhouse agronomy, plant nutrition and protection will be conducted for our beneficiaries. KCBS will provide technical support with experts in the field, address any issue or problem regarding the entire production process. Very often our experts do not only demonstrate how to fix the problem, but actually they do it themselves. However, major impact of technical support is onsite training that our experts will provide in the field. This will ensure that farmers are properly equipped with knowledge, and they can continue independently the work after project is finished. At the end of one of our previous projects, few farmers contacted and engaged our experts privately when they faced any problems during their work process, and they received appropriate support. KCBS will work with farmers to identify input suppliers for these farmers. In previous projects KCBS has implemented in this area, key input suppliers were in fact larger farmers, also our beneficiaries. Therefore, for main inputs such as seedlings, we will liaise farmers with input suppliers from that area. Since KCBS will work also with existing farmers (i.e. farmers that already have greenhouses), they already have established business relationships with input suppliers. KCBS will build on their experience with them and share with other farmers. We will make sure that before project ends, all farmers have established business relations with input suppliers and end-market, i.e. aggregators. KCBS will publish RFA on our webpage, in local newspapers, distribute it to the local partners in the region and through local radio announcement in both languages. The RFA will also be announced through our extensive network of contacts which we have developed prior to our presence in the region Based on applications that we receive, KCBS staff will visit every farmer that has applied. KCBS evaluation members composed with at least three members both internal and external will evaluate applications based on the set criteria. Each of the members will sign a letter of independence in terms of objectivity in the evaluation process. The entire Process will be monitored by KCBS Project Manager and Grant Manager. The grant component will complement our core project activity and contribute to the achievement of our main project objectives. The grant funds will not be used for commercial activities which by their nature would be appropriate for loan financing from a financial institution. Nor will grant funds be used to provide a financial benefit or subsidy to a single firm to enhance that firm’s competitive position in the marketplace to the disadvantage of the other firms.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

KCBS has prepared the SOW to engage the local consultant to provide on farm training and technical advice to greenhouse growers in order to increase their knowledge in order to improve production and quality of cultivated crops. On farm training and technical advice was implemented from Jun 2019- August 2020. The field activities and visits have to be organized and facilitated by KCBS staff.

The KCBS/NEON program engaged Ismet Babaj as a short-term technical expert to conduct on farm training and technical advice with greenhouse producers at three municipalities (Leposavić/Leposaviq, Zvečan/Zveçan and Zubin Potok) of the country which producers were supported with greenhouses by USAID/NEON program. The training was designed in order to increase knowledge on vegetable plant nutrition, disorders of plants on overdoses and deficiencies of fertilizers, using different formulation of fertilizers for different growing stage and plant nutrition in general. Proposed topics were planned to be covered through engagement of technical expert which topics corresponding with activities implemented in greenhouses for time being. The training to greenhouse producers will be conducted through tangible methodology which methodologies consist observation of current situation of transplanted plants, problem identification, discussion and recommendation in order to be more acceptable and useful training than trainings conducted through presentation.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The KCBS/NEON program engaged Ismet Babaj as a short-term technical expert to conduct on farm training and technical advice with greenhouse producers at three municipalities (Leposavić/Leposaviq, Zvečan/Zveçan and Zubin Potok) of the country which producers were supported with greenhouses by USAID/NEON program. The training was designed in order to increase knowledge on vegetable production for better yield and quality. Increasing knowledge of greenhouse producers on vegetable production implementing good agriculture practices (GAP) will have a big impact on improving quantity and quality of produced products which products will be sold with higher price and increasing their income. Though four months mission the consultant has visited 70 greenhouses, he can pretend to have the whole picture regarding implementation of proposed growing technology in north part of Kosovo to greenhouse producers. Thanks to the field observations and farmer’s conversation the consultant may conclude at the following observations, technical advice and remarks; Additional advice in the context of cultivation technology was the importance of applying the agro-technical measures like, planting qualitative seedling, proper nutrition with high- solubility fertilizers through irrigation system, as well as proper application of preventive measures in order to better exploit the potential of greenhouses.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Therefore, advices on irrigation were related to the irrigation frequency and quantity. Practical advice was provided about controlling the dosage of water through the irrigation system for cultivated plants, as well as possibilities to achieve better quality and higher productivity. Proper fertilization is essential in producing high-quality plants and the desirable quantity. Therefore, the fertilizer’s composition and type need to be adapted to the development phase. Advice has been given about the average amounts per m² or per number of plants in kg, noting that if nutrition is not applied, it will significantly reflect in low quality and production. In collaboration with Crimson Capital 10 greenhouse beneficiaries have equipped with smart sensors to manage temperature and humidity in their greenhouse. The sensors will have big impact on pest and disease management through data which growers are able to analyze that.

FIELD ACTIVITIES The technical advice to 71 beneficiaries in north part of the country was conducted by Ismet Babaj, (hereafter “the consultant”) during growing period Jun-September 2019 and in 2020. According to plan of activities prepared by KCBS technical advice were organized at three municipalities (Leposavić/Leposaviq, Zvečan/Zveçan and Zubin Potok) of the country and almost all selected greenhouse producers were visited. Technical assistance was provided for different topics and problems identified during the field visit. Farmer’s common practices on plant transplanting, irrigation, nutrition, plant protection and managing of growing conditions were observed during the visits and the consultant’s personal experience was shared with them for issues observed or raised up during open conversations with the vegetable producers.

Field observation Though this engagement the consultant has visited around 70 new established greenhouses supported by KCBC/NEON. Thanks to the field observations and farmer’s conversation the consultant may conclude at the following observations, technical advice and remarks; Majority of visited greenhouses were well established and transplanted with different vegetable crops tomato, peppers and cucumbers. Generally speaking, transplanted crops will be considered a late crop due to late established and fixed greenhouses. Two different beneficiaries were identified during field visits, previous beneficiaries or experienced growers who has benefited from last project and unexperienced or new beneficiaries.

Based on the field observation and conversation with the farmers, the following recommendations that would solve main causes and help achieving better quality and higher production yield were given:

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

1. Recommendation on how to utilize the drip irrigation system, its frequency and quantity, in order to satisfy the water demand of cultivated crops in different conditions.

2. Recommendations on how to keep the air temperature inside the greenhouses during the summer period, by opening the opposite doors of greenhouses and putting a plastic shadow on top of the cover. 3. Recommendation on the proper ratio and quantities of the fertilization needed in different stages of the cultivated crops development. 4. Recommendations on how to identify the symptoms of the most important pests and diseases of different crops. 5. Recommendations on the proper disease and pest prevention methods, applying pesticides that almost entirely wipe out the pest diseases.

Technical advice

The farmers visited on this topic were advised on growing practices, seedling quality, variety choice, plant density, air temperatures, plant spacing, plant pruning, fertilization and irrigation frequency and the quantity. Additional advice in the context of cultivation technology was the importance of applying the agro-technical measures like, planting qualitative seedling, proper nutrition with high- solubility fertilizers through irrigation system, as well as proper application of preventive measures in order to better exploit the potential of greenhouses. The farmers were also advised on the ways of temperature control and proper airing inside the greenhouses during summer months.

Transplanted crops and establishing of drip irrigation system

• Utilization of the drip irrigation system

Many of visited farmers have requested advice on why and how to use the drip irrigation system. Therefore, advices on this matter were related to the irrigation frequency and quantity. Practical advice was provided about controlling the dosage of water through the

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020 irrigation system for cultivated plants, as well as possibilities to achieve better quality and higher productivity.

Utilization of plastic mulch and drip irrigation system • Plants nutrition

Similarly, the visited farmers requested advice on utilization and types of high solubility fertilizers through the drip irrigation system for feeding the cultivated plants. Since there is no soil analysis available, the advice was given based on the empirical know-how, simply advice to use the average quantity and frequency of high–solubility fertilizers through the drip irrigation system. Proper fertilization is essential in producing high-quality plants and the desirable quantity. Therefore, the fertilizer’s composition and type need to be adapted to the development phase. Advice has been given about the average amounts per m² or per number of plants in kg, noting that if nutrition is not applied, it will significantly reflect in low quality and production.

Well fertigated plats of peppers and tomatoes in greenhouse l d i bi k • prevention/protection

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Through direct observation of the cultivated plants the visited farmers had the opportunity to be advised on identification of the symptoms of the most important pests and disease damages in steam, leaves and fruit of the different cultivated plants. A number of problems have been determined and farmers were provided with written recommendations for taking preventive measures and eliminate those problems. Application of these measures helped the farmers almost entirely eliminate the identified pathogens in the cultivated plants.

• Growing condition management

In collaboration with Crimson Capital 10 greenhouse beneficiaries have equipped with smart sensors to manage temperature and humidity in their greenhouse.

Our Humidity & Temperature Smart Sensor pairs effortlessly with our mobile apps and the optional SensorPush G1 WiFi Gateway to provide the ideal solution for monitoring humidity and temperature conditions over time. Its long range (100m / 325' line of sight) keeps you up to date, even at a distance. The Swiss-made sensing component provides highly accurate, repeatable measurements that you can trust. Data is collected at one-minute intervals and is stored on the sensor for over two weeks. It is automatically pushed to mobile applications

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

when they are in range. There it is stored for graphing and analysis. The apps allow alert ranges to be set, so you can know when there's a problem without constant checking. The sensors will have big impact on pest and disease management through data which growers are able to analyze that.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Developments in the greenhouse cultivation are in general promising; almost all the farmers completed the planting. Almost all the visited farmers asked for continued direct field assistance during the production cycle. Continued consultancy would help improving the following: 7. Usage of the drip irrigation system for irrigation, 8. Feeding the cultivated plants in adequate frequency with high–solubility fertilizers depending on development stage of the plants, 9. Prevention measures and plant protection from pests and diseases. 10. Managing growing conditions within greenhouse, temperature and ventilation.

These advices would help the farmers solve problems they are facing during the production cycle and advance their knowledge in order to be able continue in next production cycles independently.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Annex 10. STTA Report (technical support to farmers)

Terms of engagement Once agricultural produced product is contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms or chemicals, there are not many alternatives for elimination or reduction of contaminants, therefore the only reliable strategy for assurance of the safety products is prevention of contamination during production process, therefore production of safe fresh agriculture products and their certification with international food safety standards as prove for their safety, is key for entrance of our local products in the international markets.

The best practices for production of safe products is following internationally accepted programs such as Good Agricultural Practices (G.A.P.), internationally known as GLOBALG.A.P., Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Hygiene Practices (GHP), as first step toward certification and this products and entrance in the global markets.

However, awareness of local producers for following Good Agricultural Practices in their production practices and certification of their products with international food safety certificate for primary production GLOBALG.A.P. still is basic. To improve this situation, we have prepared practical, simple and useful GLOBALG.A.P. manual and safe use of pesticides pictograms that focuses on the main chemical and microbial contamination risks during production, postharvest and marketing of produced products.

The main content of the manual and pictograms includes; farm infrastructure requirement, planting practices, safe use of pesticides, hygiene procedures and practical forms for record keeping of all production activities.

Thanks to the Kosovo Center for Business Support project, 500 copies of manual and pictograms are printed and delivered to producers during our field visits in their farms.

ACTIVITIES TO ACHIEVE PURPOSES The original aim of this assignment was to prepare Good Agricultural Practices manual, Safe Use of Pesticides pictograms and provide technical assistance to the farmers, in order to improve food safety and quality of the products in their farm.

During site visits to greenhouse vegetable producers GLOBALG.A.P. expert was able to observe in field actual product safety situation, discuss with producers and identify opportunities for improvement and intervention in varicose production, postharvest and market activities. The field visits included a meeting with producers, inspection of the existing facilities, identification of risk issues, recommendation of interventions need to be taken for improvement of food safety situation in their production and delivery of published GLOBALG.A.P manual with safe use of pesticides pictograms to the visited producers. My recommendations were limited to a brief visit, based on situation in each farm.

Based on field visit findings, apart delivery of food safety brochures KCBS must develop an intervention plan in order to improve knowledge of producers related Good Agricultural

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Practices and infield implementation of food safety standards internationally known as GLOBALG.A.P.

Unfortunately, except lack of food safety standard knowledge and inadequate farm infrastructure, in the field are identified and inappropriate used production techniques that can have negative impact on safety of produced products.

The main concerns identified during field visits are:

• Lack of experience for practical implementation and certification of products with international food safety certificate GLOBALG.A.P. • Lack of cooperation between input dealers, producers and agriculture experts. • Weak production infrastructure in farm level. • Lack of postharvest handling and storage facilities • Lack of collection centers for collection and sale of produced products. All these factors directly or indirectly are preventing opportunities to prove that local produced products are safe for consumption.

Having this in to the consideration we delivered and presented GAP manual showing number of practices and valid information related food safety requirement, safe use of pesticides, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, proper use of agriculture inputs and Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) with focus on harvesting, sorting, packaging and storing of products before shipping to the market.

Following farm infrastructure situation and discussions with the farmers, the food safety standard expert beside delivering of Good Agricultural Practices advises, manual and pictograms, he encouraged them to start at least with implementation of basic GAP requirements for which opportunities exist.

And finally, we believe that proper use of GLOBALG.A.P. manual, safe use of pesticides pictograms and additional part time technical assistance by agriculture expert is very important toward production of safe products able to be marketed in local and international markets.

FINDINGS Lack of knowledge, farm infrastructure, record keeping habit and inappropriate tools and equipment used during production are main concerns identified during our field visits at most of the farmers.

Capacity building; in most of farms owners and family members involved in production are young without no previous agricultural production experience; able to listen, learn and adopt new production technical recommendations provided by professional experts. Need for trainings, information materials and short-term technical advises for food safety standards implementation are quite evident for these new producers.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Luck of appropriate working tools, sprayers, protective clothing, plant protection products shelves and safe storage areas for agricultural inputs and products were main identified concern during our site visits too.

Cooperation between producers and input dealers; poor cooperation between agricultural pharmacies and lack of advises related proper selection and use of purchased inputs is another big barrier for successful and sustainable cooperation between them. Based on the site visit observations, still there are no initiatives for joint purchase of agricultural inputs, joint marketing, storage, or transport of products.

Creation of on farmers group that cooperates, follows good agricultural practices and identifies their products with labels, can have positive impact on production cost, quality, safety, marketing, competitiveness, performance and new market opportunities.

Weak infrastructure in farm level; beside bad road condition at some of farms, lack of appropriate farm infrastructure was evidenced at majority of farms who are not doing much to improve and adopt their production facilities conform food safety standard requires. Unfortunately, few farms have had appropriate sprayers, spraying protective cloths and pesticide storage shelves for proper and safe storage of chemicals used. Personnel work tools and packaging materials used during the production, easy can become contaminated. Beside operational cross contamination, organic soil wastes, particularly those that incorporate animal wastes can be a source of contamination too. Periodically clean of tools and plastic boxes with a dilute bleach solution will have grate positive impact on keeping product safe for consumption.

Inappropriate manipulation with working tales, inputs and chemicals To reduce contamination, keeps work tools and packaging materials in a secure, clean and dry space. Rodents and insects cause contamination too, so to reduce their presence producers must place rodent traps near doorways or elsewhere in storage areas.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Harvest and postharvest management: the quality and safety of any food products introduced into the markets is essential. It must be on-going, and focus on every step of growing, harvesting, packaging and distributing. Once contaminated with microorganisms, washing in sanitizing solutions can reduce pathogen numbers but cannot reliably eliminate them from most of leafy vegetables.

The primary sources of contamination and damage of product quality and safety are inappropriate handling, cross contamination from contaminated work tools or equipment including production practices.

In order to guide growers towards an enhanced focus on quality and safety requirements, the consultant prepared and distributed a manual and safe use of pesticides brochure with valid information for GLOBALG.A.P. requirements and implementation procedures proposed for small and midsize producers.

Same basic safety standards requirements can be used also at other producers during production and marketing of their products to supermarkets or trades.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

As Kosovo moves into greater export of fresh vegetables, quality and food safety will become necessary. In the consultant’s view, currently it is premature to embark on the complexities of record keeping necessary for GLOBALG.A.P. implementation.

Attention to potential contamination areas and prevention of contamination should be the first task of this producers and first step toward implementation of food safety standard requirements.

Additional support is needed to ensure that customers are receiving quantity, safety and quality products. For changing of existing situation in the field, KSBS and other agriculture stakeholders including farmers must improve their knowledge, farm infrastructure, record keeping habits, production - hygiene practices and marketing plan. Capacity building; in most of farms owners and family members involved in production are young and without previous agriculture production experience, but able to listen, learn and adopt new production technical recommendations provided by professional experts.

Having into the consideration that production of unsafe products is sanctioned by local and international low, need for capacity building in field of Good Agriculture Practices is very important in this stage.

Improvements related production of safe agriculture products in the farm level can be done through following Good Agricultural practices, requirements and recommendations presented in the GLOBALG.A.P. manual submitted to farmers, following safe use of pesticides

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020 advises presented in the prepared pictograms and long-term cooperation with agricultural experts.

Cooperation between producers and input dealers; most of agricultural pharmacies have unqualified sales workers unable to advise and support farmers during purchase of agricultural inputs.

Unfortunately, farmers often receive inadequate inputs, advises and concentrations which effects on production of doubt products by farmers. Creation of producer’s association leaded by agricultural expert and joint purchase of agricultural inputs can have immediate positive impact on improvement of actual situation.

Weak infrastructure in farm level; beside limited financial capacities of farmers, still there are some opportunities for improvement in farm infrastructure situation such are; purchase of proper sprayers, protective clothes, measuring tools and chemical shelves as basic GLOBALG.A.P. requirement for safe use of pesticides.

Improvement and adoption of existing basement rooms into short storage room is an additional opportunity for improvement of farm infrastructure situation, that can be included as farmer’s local contribution during receive of grant support from KCBS project.

Site visits meeting and advising farmers

Harvest and postharvest management; immediate remove of harvested product from the field and proper handling and storing can have great impact on quality and safety of the products.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Delivering among the farmers the right information for good agriculture practices could be a good investment for a fast development of greenhouse industry and production of quality and safe products. Quality and Food safety is not an event but rather a process that needs to be learned, implemented and followed every day and in every aspect of production. One approach would be to introduce quality and food safety requirements for farms supplying the supermarkets and collection centers. Creation of collection centers and implementation of growing contracts will be and additional engine for improvement of quality, safety and marketing of produced product.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Annex 11. Personal Stories

Personal stories tell more than any narrative prepared on their behalf.

Some of their stories follow:

Andrijana Ivanovic, AS Promet "D.O.O

During my internship, I worked in the refrigerated warehouse as part of the job of cleaning and sorting fruits and especially forest fruits, for me this was a nice experience where I have opportunity to learn something new. This opportunity given to me has been a return of hope, especially in this part with many political and economic problems where youth are leaving every day to find life opportunities in Europe and other counties.

The Ag sector in Leposavic is a big opportunity for all people.

Dušan Milanovic "GRADINA" Farm

Mitrovica Secondary Medical School, 2005-2009 Higher Medical School of Professional Studies Belgrade, 2009- 2012 Private Massage School, Professional Belgrade 2012-2013, In addition to my education and experience in my life, this practice has given me a new perspective on the world around me.

In addition to the training and practice I received at FARMA GRADINA, I am grateful to the team for allowing me to learn about new ways of using vegetables.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Kristina Virijevic from Mekinice BB village, Leposavic

I have done Secondary Medical School, Laboratory and last year student at Technical Faculty.

As a lab technician, I used this chance to renew my high school knowledge and practice in the food industry. This practice will mean to me in the future in every way. In addition to working, I used this opportunity to learn a lot of things I didn’t know earlier, things that will serve to me in my future career.

Working with a big number of people was a challenge to me because I never worked with that much people, I have learned a lot of things from older and experienced people to whom I’m very very thankful.

Danijela Radomirović SZR Markovic

I have finished secondary technical school.

My love for wood made me try my hand in this world. Not everything I imagined, though. I am very pleased with what I have learned. I heartily thank you all for allowing me to engage in something so interesting, I have done a lot of things during my internship in the company, working with machinery, giving my design ideas and finalizing the products with the color.

I really like this job and I feel very respected among the colleagues

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Jovana Milutinovic, "TEXLAND" D.O.O

My unfamiliarity with the matter, and not the ability to practice near the place I’m living, didn’t stop me to continue learning.

Finding out about this competition, I tried to get involved and finally achieve my dream.

I have succeeded in this and I am very pleased to confirm that thanks to the project in and USAID, it has personally enabled me to learn a lot from TEXLAND.

I hope to continue working with Zorica and the team. Processing and sewing of materials

Luka Jovanovic, TEXLAND "D.O.O

There are a lot of success stories around the world, so my appearance among girls with reasonable big- hearted employers is very successful.

With understanding and support, I learned a lot of useful things from the world of sewing, as well as selling textile products, business description, promotion and product sales.

Thanks to all of you for this opportunity.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Ljubomir Zivic, P.P. "UNIVERS" Secondary School of Economics.

Working at UNIVERS is a new experience.

As a beginner, I gained experience that is as important to my continuing education as well as my future employment.

This is a very big support for me, I want to thank all of you.

Aleksandar Alagić – Farma GRADINA

I finished high school and currently I am a third year student.

Drying the tomatoes and packing them in jars, I have never heard of this, but through this practice, I learned that anything is possible.

Having received this training, I realized that knowledge is the most valuable thing in this world.

Many thanks for this opportunity

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Kristina Vasovic, RWS COMPANY "D.O.O.

Finished secondary education in Zvecan municipality

While we have picked and selected fruits, we have learned for different types of fruits and different methods of frying and processing them.

It brought me into the world of new and very interesting calls.

Being able to stay in this job is very appealing to me and I would love to be given the chance to continue in this job.

Lazar Radović, Farma "DANILO" Finished secondary technical school I am one of the interns at Danilo Farm, this farm has given me a lot of knowledge about agriculture and fruits and vegetables, I have learned which fruits and vegetables grow in the greenhouse and which ones outside, I also learned which vegetables to plant in timings or in the months that were most profitable to grow. I thought this type of business was just to cut family expenses, but during this period of practice I found this business to be very profitable and at the same time very healthy to deal with. This program helped me to change my mind for the future.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Milica Mandić, "RWS COMPANY" D.O.O.

I graduated high school in commerce and economics

I have been a very good student at school, but the place we live in does not give us much opportunity to work and develop the skills we have, so this program has been a good opportunity for us and I believe very much that this experience will help me in the future, this has been my first experience where I have faced work and I have found that work has its own pleasures. I want to thank USAID for this support for us as a young people here in the north of Kosovo.

Gordana Jakšić

P.P. "PALMA PLUS"

High school graduated

Kitchen was my passion all my life, and this is dream come true for me.

Working in the kitchen at PALMI PLUS is a new experience for me. Meeting older colleagues, new dishes, going to the field, It's all a great experience for me.

From now on, I will be ready for new challenges in the future business. Always be ready to answer all the tasks.

I am thankful from the heart.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Dalibor Milojevic

P.P. "PALMA PLUS"

Grammar School Languages and Literature.

As you know here in bars and restaurants are the most frequented places in the day, so in Palma is a place frequented by many people, this has made me look for the opportunity to engage in practical work in a way that to expand my contacts with different people.

Any opportunity like this internship at work is welcome, so I am very grateful and pleased with this opportunity.

Ismail Uka. S.Z.R. "MARKOVIĆ

Carpenter.

Graduated from Technical High School

Getting to know my colleagues from the north has given a new turn to my work, I am very pleased with what I have learned.

Very grateful to Vasilije Markovic for the support and knowledge he has conveyed to me, also for the offer to continue working with him as a group leader.

I plan to start my own business based on my knowledge and experience in the future.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Arjeta Beqiri

Graduated from High school in Mitrovica says:

I'm glad I started working because even though I've had this training for a long time, I haven't had the opportunity to work somewhere.

This internship has given me the opportunity to show that I have mastered this job well and after this 6 month period I hope will open a new business with which I provide income for my family's well-being.

Arjeta is working at DPZ Zaka in different sectors, but mainly sews and prepares different dresses.

Elsa Cimili is an 18-year-old who graduated from medical high school and is currently doing her internship at the Jeta Clinic in Mitrovica.

Elsa says that being an intern at this polyclinic is helping her a lot to be determined about continuing her studies.

She says that many of the things she has learned in theory are now practicing and that she enjoys because the difference between practice and theory is enormous.

She is thinking to continue studying medicine in the future.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Rron Haxha

NSH STAR

Rroni is a young man who, unable to find a more sustainable job, has applied to do an internship wherever possible, we have had a request from a car wash where we sent Rron.

He says he was welcomed and treated well by the supervisor, also he said that the financial support, however slight, helped him with his personal expenses during this time.

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020

Annex 12. Project pictures

Final Report, for the period March 04, 2019 to March 03, 2020