Projects

Project Description

KEEN project is a strategic coalition of four civil society organizations focused on the field of education, employment and social policies. KEEN aims to provide input to improve the employability of disadvantaged groups in Kosovo and their involvement in policy development, decision-making and monitoring at central and local level, by supporting and facilitating the dialogue between the institutions of education and training and business. KEEN project aims to approximate the interconnection between education and training programs with labour market requirements. KEEN Project implementation period is 48 months, from 28 December 2015 until 28 December 2019. KEEN Project is implemented through a coalition that is led by the Centre for Education of Kosovo (KEC) in cooperation with Balkan Sunflowers Kosova (BSFK), Employment Promotion Agency Kosovo (APPK), Academy of Training and Technical Assistance (ATTA) and Stichting SPARK. Key institutional partners of the Project are Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST), Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MPMS), Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), Association of Kosovo Municipalities (AKM), Kosovo Chamber of Commerce (KCC) and Kosovo Business Alliance (AKB). KEEN project activities are organized into four interrelated components: Component 1: Strengthening of KEEN Networking Component 2: Participation in policymaking at central and local level Component 3: Monitoring of policies at central and local level Component 4: Linking education and training with the labour market

Project Description

The aim of the project is to create a climate of responsible personal behavior and organizational in central and municipal institutions, as well as in schools by strengthening the institutional leadership to implement ethical standards and institutional integrity in their work places. The aim of the project will be achieved through training of officials of the offices for the development of human resources of 5 ministries, municipal officials for the development of human resources in 3 municipalities, as well as directors and representatives of school boards selected from the three municipalities. Activities that will be implemented during the implementation of the project are:

• Preparation of guidelines on "Ethics and institutional integrity"
• Selection of the officials from the human resource offices from 5 ministries and 3 municipalities to participate in the training on "ethics and institutional integrity"
• Organizing a two-day training on "ethics and institutional integrity" for 20 officials of the offices of human resource development at the central and municipal level
• The selection of 12 schools from three municipalities to participate in the training on "ethics and institutional integrity"
• Organizing of two-day training for school principals and representatives of school boards with the theme "Ethics and institutional integrity"
• Implementation of action plans
• Organizing three roundtables in three municipalities to introduce the results of the action plans
• Participation in radio broadcasts
• Drafting the final report

Project Description

  The purpose of this project was to provide support to MEST in the drafting of the Strategic Plan for Education in Kosovo 2017-2021. The process began in June 2015 with the establishment of a whole planning and the assessment initiation of KESP 2011-2016. GIZ Project on Capacity Building in Basic Education (GIZ CDBE) has contracted the consortium consisting of PEM Consulting and KEC to provide technical assistance for the design of KESP 2017-2021, whereas the 2011-2016 KESP assessment was made of the United Fund Support of Education (ESPF). Activities of PEM-KEC consortium began in September 2015, since the evaluation of the 2011-2016 KESP have scored a significant advancement. Following a plan which was agreed with the Core Planning Team, the KESP was finalized and submitted to the Government in September 2016.

Project Description

In cooperation with partners from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland, in December 2014, we started with the project “Schools as generators of a democratic society”. The overall aim of this project is to develop an international cooperation and network among schools of the Western Balkan and Visegrad countries (Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Poland), as well as to ensure the understanding of the role of schools in the democratic processes within a society. The main project activities include: joint training for representatives of 10 schools from the five participating countries; projects among schools from various countries; presentation of project results in a conference. The project will last 18 months, and is financed by the Visegrad Fund.

Project Description

KEC provided technical assistance to the project "Support to the implementation of PSAK 2011-2016" for developing a squalirty assurance strategy for pre-university education. At the beginning of 2015, a study visit to Austria was organized that aimed the final drafting of the Strategy, which sought the best practices of quality assurance in pre-university education. This made possible finalization of the draft strategy which was result of the process with broad participation and consultation at all levels. In December 2015, the Strategy was approved by the Government and was presented to the public. This strategy was integrated in the Kosovo Education Strategic Plan 2017-2021 as one of its seven pillars.

Project Description

The specific objective of this project was to strengthen the capacity of Teachers’ Union (SBASHK) for increased participation in social dialogue, policy and decision making. Project activities were clustered in three interlinked components in line with the respective expected results presented above: Component 1: Improve organizational capacity of SBASHK – with (a) organizing training seminars to train, mentor and coach SBASHK leadership and personnel, in addition offer on-job support, mentoring and coaching; (b) organize study visits for SBASHK leadership to two Education Trade Unions in the Region (Slovenia and Macedonia) to gain better understanding of the operation of trade unions in a new EU member country and an accession country; and (c) develop a medium term-term strategy for SBASHK (2015-2019) Component 2: Increase the membership base through developing and implementing communication plan and introducing new services – (a) develop new website and interactive portal, including distribution of quarterly e-Newsletters; (b) introduce new services for SBASHK members (legal services and facilitate access of SBASHK members to teacher professional development programs); (c) Launch a new membership campaign Component 3: Participation of SBASHK in the social dialogue and policy making – through (a) building capacity for social dialogue and policy making; (b) organizing a consultation forum with MEST and Association of Kosovo Municipalities on issues of interest for membership; (c) support and monitor teacher licensing process. The Project had three expected results: 1. Increase participation of SBASHK in social dialogue, policy and decision making by improving organizational capacity of SBASHK. 2. Increasing the membership base by improving communication with the members and introduce new services for the members. 3. Strengthening capacity of SBASHK for participation in social dialogue and policy making through provision of training and follow up expert advice.

Project Description

The purpose of this project was to deliver a comprehensive capacity building program focused on implementation of the MEST Communication Strategy for high-to-mid level management staff of MEST and MEDs in three program areas: Leadership, Management and Communication. The target group were the staff of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST)and municipal education directorates (MEDs). The training program was delivered in form of nine seminars in a way that skills and knowledge acquired through one seminar are applied in practice between seminars and reported on the next one. Each module was organized as a 2-day long seminar, and is followed by on-the-job coaching related to assignments given in seminars. Each training module had 16 contact hours, whereas the whole program had 144 contact hours. On average each participant received 2 coaching hours per training module, in total 18 coaching hours. The program was accredited by MEST.

Project Description

The project aimed to analyze the level of implementation of the decentralization process in education as well as to evidence the challenges in its implementation. Furthermore, the project aimed at awareness-raising of schools to execute their legal competences as a prerequisite for an efficient implementation of the process in practice. The goal of the project was to establish an accountability and oversight relation between the municipal education administration, schools and citizens in 15 Kosovo municipalities. During the implementation of the project all involved schools in the project have co-operated with the KEC official to analyze their annual budgets, to review the opportunities for saving of expenses and a more ration use of school budgets. The schools involved in the project have co-operated with the municipal officials of education to provide for a more efficient planning of their school budgets, as well as to review-periodically- the expenses incurred. This influenced the establishment of a mutual accountability and oversight relation between MED and schools. Throughout their co-operation, MED managed to oversee the schools in planning and expending their budgets, whilst schools were held accountable for their requests and the expenses incurred. In addition, the organization of roundtables and participation in various radio shows were some of the activities that contributed in awareness-raising of schools to enhance their co-operation with MED in order to mobilize them for a fair and transparent allocation of school budgets. Activities and main achievements of the project were as follows: • Distribution and collection of questionnaires from the schools involved in the project • Data input and processing • Review of municipal education budgets and the method of budget distribution in schools • Bimonthly monitoring of financial statements for expenses of schools involved in the project • Organizing semi-structured interviews with various officials • Drafting of the final report • Organizing roundtables in 7 regions of Kosovo • Participation in 2 radio shows • Distribution of the report with the recommendation to all relevant structure.

Project Description

The overall objective of this Technical Assistance (TA) project was to support the Kosovo Government in improving the quality and efficiency of the provision of education and training services, notably pre-university education, in a lifelong learning and employability perspective, in line with the agreed upon sector-wide approach (SWAp) for education, and in accordance with EU standards. Main results: Component 1: Capacity Development of MEST, at central and municipal levels: Detailed implementation plan for the education strategies has been drafted and endorsed by MEST and local level stakeholders; communication systems have been developed and systematically utilized by MEST Donor Unit. Component 2: A revised National Curriculum Framework; A steering group of curriculum development specialists of the MEST Curriculum unit, the Council for Curricula of Kosovo / Council for Curricula, Textbooks and Assessment (CCTA) and tertiary education institutions had training and hands-on experience to revise the National Curriculum Framework and to lead the various subject groups responsible for curriculum development to include specific measures to address minority inclusion in education. Component 3: Teacher Training Development: The Teacher Competency Profile, required for assessment of teachers, is revised in line with good practices in EU-member states; A credit system for the purpose of recognition of professional development of teachers is elaborated. The outputs delivered by the project for each component included:

• Assisting MEST, both at central and municipal levels, in developing a costed and time bound action plan to be used as an operational tool associated to the education sector strategies.
• Developing capacities of MEST units (at central and municipal levels) in order to carry out the MEST action plan, including recommendations on key areas to be strengthened.
• Assisting MEST with the establishment of, and provide support to the State Council for the Kosovo Curricula.
• Developing and implementing a capacity development programme (including institutional, organizational, and human capacities) of the MEST Curriculum Unit, members of the Council for Curricula and other key actors as appropriate.
• Organizing and supporting the process of revision and redrafting of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF).
• Developing guidelines for the design and implementation of new curricula based on the NCF and, thereafter, its application.
• Assisting the MEST to establish a group of local education mentors/advisors/facilitators to secure a system of quality assurance in the curriculum development process.
• Revising the existing Teacher Competency Profile according to the outcomes of the consultation and provide support to MEST for the finalization of the draft in view of its official adoption.
• Developing a credit system similar to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) for the purpose of recognition of professional development of teachers.
• Developing and implementing a capacity development programme (including institutional, organizational, and human capacities) of the MEST Teacher Training Unit and other key actors as appropriate.
• Putting in place appropriate systems to support roll out of new Teacher Training Programme. Elaborate an annual outlining the standards and procedures for accreditation of in-service teacher training providers and programmes ready for approval.

This TA was implemented by the Consortium led by Cambridge Education Ltd.

Project Description

The project “Monitoring Education Finances Management in 5 Municipalities of Kosovo”  was implemented in the municipalities of Istok, Gjilan, Prishtina, Gjakova and Vushtrri. Such a choice was made to municipalities based on the dynamics of the participation of these municipalities in the decentralization process in finance education. The aim of the project was to create an accountability and oversight relationship between public administration and citizens. The main activities and results of the project:

1. Prepare the monitoring framework- KEC in cooperation with experts and stakeholders has prepared a monitoring framework, in which it identifies areas and monitoring indicators.
2. Training of 15 monitors- KEC chose 3 representatives each from 5 municipalities selected to prepare as monitors. All monitors have participated in 3 workshops with topics of:

• Corruption - meaning, forms of manifestation and strategies to combat it,
• Central and local finances - collection and expenditure with special emphasis on finance education,
• Monitoring framework - practical aspects of monitoring.

3. Selection of schools and the implementation of the first phase of the project

During 2010, within the project these activities were implemented:

1. Data entry and processing of the questionnaire results- During February and March the monitors have input data in the data base and the results were arranged by categories: legislation, budget planning, own revenues and budget execution.
2. Organization of half-structured interviews- In each municipality there were interviews held of:

• Municipal Director of Education,
• Finance Officer at MED,
• Two school principals,
• Chairman of the school board,
• President of the parent council at the municipal level,
• Internal Auditor of the municipality.

3. Analysis of revenues
4. Preparation of the research report and data presentation- research methodology and its results were summarized in a final report. The results of the report were presented during the organized roundtables. The report was sent to representatives of MEST, MED, those of the World Bank dealing with decentralization of budget MED and other relevant structures.

Project Description

The objective of the project was mapping and analyzing the existing policies and practices of pre-service and in-service preparation of teachers with a view towards exploring scope for improvements in development of the skills, and competences required for inclusive education practices by teachers from primary and secondary education. In 2009, the ETF initiated a study on “Mapping policies and practices for the preparation of teachers for inclusive education in contexts of social and cultural diversity of the Western Balkans countries”, that was concluded in 2010. The overall objective of this research project was to contribute to the promotion of inclusive education and training policies, and practices in Western Balkans countries in contexts of social and cultural diversity. The Project implementation was divided into four phases:

• Drafting of a conceptual framework based on the contemporary research findings in areas of inclusion, teacher education and teacher thinking.
• Identifying the gap between a desired image of a teacher competent for inclusive education practices and the existing policies, and practice of pre-service and in-service training of primary, and secondary school teachers. The work was done through desk research, survey and country mission.
• Drafting of country reports for seven Western Balkans countries: Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro.
• Producing the cross-country report to synthesize the findings of the 7 country studies.

During 2010-2011 the ETF conducted the Regional Report “Teachers for the Future”. The report draws together and analyses research findings from the seven country reports. The primary purpose of this exploration was to provide evidence for improving policies and practices for the development of teachers, pre-service and in-service in the Western Balkans. Main results:

1. Common methodology and outline for the country reports;
2. Country reports;
3. Conceptual framework for the comparative study of the national reports;
4. Synthesis Report

Project Description

The Project Cycle Management Training for officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD) was implemented by Kosova Education Center (KEC) during the 15 weeks of interactive work, with a mutually agreed break during the summer holidays. In order to best achieve the foreseen project results, a double track strategy was applied: 1. The theory and training part: a simulation project was developed in a phased approach during the contact sessions (“Institution and capacity building for Regional Advisory Centers”); 2. Practical – hands-on part: Students were divided in four groups and coached through a phased approach of writing a concrete real project proposal. Both training and practical part witnessed a lot of interaction and discussion going on between trainers and students, but also among students, with some moderation by trainers, in the process of building project proposals. There were also a few presentations (theory part) by the trainers and by the trainees (phased presentation of project proposals). The implementing agency and trainers made all materials for work available to the trainees on a continuous basis in electronic format through the web platform, and in hard copy during the plenary session and group work.

Project Description

WBC-INCO.NET’s core objectives were to support the bi-regional dialogue between the EU, associated FP7 countries and the Western Balkans Countries (WBC) and to enhance the participation of WBC researchers in European RTD projects by structural measures. The consortium included 29 partners. Among them were the ministries for science as well as ministries for economy from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. In addition, S&T ministries from Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Slovenia and Turkey participated in the consortium to add critical mass and momentum. The political dimension at the bi-regional level was closely intertwined with the Steering Platform on Research for WBC, implemented under the Austrian EU Presidency together with the EC in 2006. WBC-INCO.NET also supported the dialogue within the region and an information exchange with several EC Directorates General and international stakeholders, such as UNESCO or World Bank. The dialogues were substantiated with several analytical inputs. For this purpose, top European and regional S&T analysis institutions participated in WBC-INCO.NET. It aimed, e.g., to identify research areas of mutual benefit in an inclusive and comprehensive manner. Moreover, WBC-INCO.NET monitored the take-up of identified research areas in forthcoming RTD programmes and the participation of WBC researchers in collaborative FP7 projects. Existing cooperation patterns were analyzed by social network methodologies and barriers of cooperation explored by empirical investigations. WBC-INCO.NET also put emphasis on the building of capacities and the facilitation of networking opportunities for researchers in order to improve absorption quantities and qualities and to enhance a better international recognition of existing WBC potentials. Several renowned European NCP-organizations and research agencies have committed their capacities to join WBC-INCO.NET and to support the integration of the WBC region into the ERA.

Project Description

The specific objective of the project was to mobilize local resources in order to increase the participation of children from disadvantaged groups in pre-school and primary education by strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations to engage in cooperation with parents, schools, as well as local and central authorities. The Project focused on strengthening the capacity of partner organizations to improve access to pre-school and compulsory education for children from disadvantaged groups, including children from low income families, disabled, minorities, and so on. The main beneficiaries of the project were two local associations, Union of Education, Science and Culture of Kosovo (SBASHK) and Kosovar Association for Human and Children's Rights (KAHCR), whereas the role of two other project partners, the Kosova Education Center (KEC) and the International Step by Step Association (ISSA) were to offer expertise in order to build a solid and sustainable Network of education organizations. The major activities were: • Building organizational and management capacities of partner associations by providing exposure to experience within the Region; specific training focused on organizational change and development, participatory planning skills (PCM), monitoring and evaluation; and on-site consultancy based on needs of partner associations. • Setting up a Network of participation for the civil society organizations from Kosovo and develop its short-term strategy. • Building capacities of partnership with organizations to advocate and engage in policy analyses and formulation with central and local authorities by providing an appropriate training • Develop policies related to participation and retention in education • Train 500 members of SBASHK and KAHCR for children’s rights, anti-bias, and advocacy in local level. Main results: 1. A functioning strategic network between the three local partners (KEC, SBASHK and KAHCR) was built. 2. Policies related to participation and retention in pre-school and primary education formulated in cooperation with central and local authorities. 3. Members of SBASHK and KAHCR have capacity to influence participation in education at local level.

Project Description

The project goal is to increase transference and to reduce corrupt practices in the society by promoting active citizenship and by mobilizing citizens in the fight against corruption. The goal of the project is to increase citizens’ awareness on risks coming from corruption, as well as the importance of and ways for fighting it. The main Project activities were: • Preparing the training materials, • Organizing 10 trainings sessions of two days for 300 representatives of Kosovo authorities, community, civil society, and youth organizations in 10 different venues in Kosovo, • Organizing 7 round table discussions on the topics of fighting corruption, • Organizing youth programs on radio and on TV on the topic of fighting corruption, • Organizing a week against corruption in seven regions, • Designing and printing of leaflets on the war against corruption. The main project results were: 1. Building of institutional and community capacities for education against corruption. KEC in cooperation with the Kosovo Agency against Corruption (KAC) have prepared the needed materials for all sessions during the two day trainings. Apart from materials, KEC has also distributed the book “Education against corruption” for all those who were interested to obtain more information on the phenomenon of corruption and the ways of including the idea of efforts against corruption in social subjects of secondary schools. The distributed materials can serve as primary information for a wide spectrum of citizens interested to understand and to include them in various anti-corruption activities. KEC in cooperation with KAC have organized 12 seminars of two days all around Kosovo, with 309 participants from different institutions. The project was planned to be organized in ten seminars, but the small number of participants in these training events required organization of two additional seminars in order to reach the indicator of 300 participants in trainings as per approved project document. KEC has organized 8 round tables. 2. Awareness raising among the youth on causes and consequences of corruption through the “Week against corruption”. KEC, in cooperation with representatives of youth organizations and several local NGOs, organized a week of the fight against corruption in seven bigger towns of Kosovo. The week against corruption was organized from June 24 till July 1st in Prizren, Istog, Gjakova, Gjilan and in Mitrovica, whereas from June 27 till July 5 it was organized in Ferizaj and in Prishtina. Activities organized during the week against corruption include the following: • Distribution of leaflets and posters • Surveys with citizens • Wearing of blouses with the “Stop Corruption” inscription on them • Anti-corruptions statements of the citizens presented on TV • Round table discussions • Seminars with young people • Competitions on the best essays written by secondary school students • A fine arts exhibition • Participation in radio and TV programs • Distribution of the Law Against Corruption

Project Description

Within this project, KEC has provided professional support to the Ministry of Public Services in the process of developing the Strategy of Civil Service of Kosovo 2007-2012. Support has been reduced on planning and facilitating workshops and methodological aspects of the planning process, while, in substantive terms, work was carried out by a committee of experts established by the Ministry.

Project Description

The purpose of this action was to facilitate the development of the General Education Strategy for Kosovo 2007-2017. A series of workshops with wide participation across various education levels, sectors, aspects, and segments, started from identification of weaknesses and strengths, identified the fields to be addressed, defined the vision and mission of the strategy, set out strategic objectives of development and finally provided concrete measures and actions which would best advance the education system in the important years to come for the Kosovar society. These measures were further made more operational in the detailed plan of action and the budget for the years 2007 – 2012. The role of KEC was to provide overall support to the process including expertise and logistics. This Strategy document was approved by the Government of Kosovo in April 2007 and serves as basis for donor coordination in the education sector. Following the Strategy development process KEC prepared a comprehensive monitoring framework for the Ministry of Science, Education and Technology, which provided a tool for monitoring the implementation of strategic measures and achievement of strategic objectives.

Project Description

This project was funded by the World Bank and the objective was to train 50 staff from the MEST based on the following training program: 1. Interactive Learning (24 hrs) 2. School-Based Evaluation (24 hrs) 3. Integrated planning and evaluation of education projects (30 hrs) The project activities were completed from March 4-April 24, 2002. KEC was contracted to deliver the same training program to the staff of municipal education directorates and education development offices, but the decision was later suspended by the World Bank because of administrative reasons.