Caritas Switzerland in Kosovo within the MARDI project (Municipal Action for Reintegration and Diaspora) has signed a cooperation contract for the implementation of the project with the partner organization GERMIN.

The signing of this contract aims at “Using the Knowledge and Financial Capital of the Diaspora to Impact on the Economic Development of Kosovo Municipalities” within the MARDI Project. This project will be implemented over three years throughout Kosovo and implements two other components: Capacity Building for Municipalities and Supporting the Needs of Migrants and their Integration in the country.

Among the main cooperation activities with the partner organization, GERMIN includes the introduction and information of the diaspora business community, especially in Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

The partnership also includes assisting in exchanging and strengthening the cooperation of Kosovar and other entrepreneurs through business-to-business meetings, networking platforms. Moreover, this project aims to engage diaspora professionals to share their knowledge and experiences.

The special feature of this project is the identification and financing of the most requested investment projects on a 50/50 basis (1 + 1 equality). We will realize this through public funds of the relevant municipality/government and the diaspora investor in various fields – Public / Private Partnership.

GERMIN and Caritas Switzerland Kosovo achieved this cooperation thanks to the financial contribution of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Ministry of Regional Development and the municipalities targeted in the project.

GERMIN as a partner is a non-governmental organization that enables the use of technology and other channels to connect and engage the diaspora. GERMIN aims for the diaspora to have an active role as partners in the co-creation process, for improving the socio-economic development and democratization of Kosovo and the Western Balkan countries. GERMIN has extensive experience in implementing field-based projects with the diaspora using various engagement methods.

Caritas Switzerland in Kosovo welcomes the cooperation with the partner organization GERMIN to contribute to the development of project objectives with a special focus on the diaspora.