Final Evaluation: Together Building Resilience (Kosovo)

Author(s)/editor(s)

Dr. Louise Sperl, Bernadette Holzer, Donjeta Ibra, Nehat Dervishi, World University Services Austria (WUS Austria) 

Location: Drenas, Lipjan, Shterpce, Skenderaj, Podujeve, and Ferizaj municipalities, Kosovo 

Grantee: Women for Women Kosova 

Grant period: May 2021–Sep 2024 

Grant amount: $876,587  

Women for Women Kosova implemented, supported by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, the project “Together Building Resilience” between May 2021 and September 2024 to address the systemic challenges faced by women and girl survivors and at risk of violence exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project aimed to:

reduce the incidence of violence against women and girls (VAWG);
improve the socio-economic status of women; and
create greater resilience of women and girls to the impacts of COVID-19.

The final evaluation concluded that the project successfully raised awareness about VAWG, improved access to psychosocial and economic services, strengthened local stakeholders' capacity for gender-responsive planning, empowered women and girls with awareness and skills, and institutionalized coordination between municipalities and local stakeholders. However, it found that lack of resources left uncertainties about the project’s sustainability.  

Key findings: 

94 “agents of change” were trained, who reached approximately 5,000 individuals with critical information on legal protection and available services. 
54% of project participants reported they had learned new skills for work, 52% said they had gained confidence in managing daily life, and 47% reported they had connected with other women for support.
Six Municipal Action Plans were developed integrating coordinated responses to VAWG within local governance. 
Collaboration with the University of Prishtina led to academic publications, theses and guest lectures on VAWG.

“Women feel equipped now to act in situations involving domestic violence, not only for themselves, but also for others in their community, by leveraging the skills and awareness gained through the project.” – Focus group discussion participant