We have the opportunity for a more environmentally friendly, sustainable, and resilient future. To do this, we need to invest in green jobs, not bail out polluting industries, end fossil fuel subsidies, and mainstream climate in all financial and policy decisions.

As Kosovo grapples with the economic downturn, it will be tempting to return fast to business-as-usual, but COVID recovery is an opportunity to balance economic growth with sustainable solutions that allow us to be more resilient when future crises hit.

UNDP is working with Kosovo institutions, local communities, civil society and the private sector to develop COVID-19 response and recovery plans that embrace renewable energy, sustainable business, green urban planning and nature-based jobs and livelihoods.

Here's what we're doing:

• In the context of the economic recovery plan, and to compliment more conventional financing modalities, UNDP Kosovo has initiated a Development Finance Assessment collaboratively with the institutions.  A structured approach is proposed to the government in order to (i) assess the existing capacity and ecosystem of Kosovo’s finance sector; (ii) understand what sustainable finance options may be suitable to it; and (iii) recommending how and when Kosovo should strategically support and implement these options in the short to long-term. DFA will be instrumental as a basis for longer-term recovery efforts, and for the shift from funding to financing.
• UNDP through the project “Accelerating Green Recovery in Kosovo through ecotourism and inclusive governance” aims to support the tourism sector to bounce forward from the COVID-19 pandemic through greener recovery. This provides an opportunity for Kosovo to build back greener through nature-based solutions for tourism that will have a direct impact in preservation of its rich environmental and cultural heritage. The project’s main focus areas will be on: 1) Strengthening a coherent policy framework and strategy for Kosovo’s Tourism, and 2) Supporting tourism MSMEs for COVID-19 green recovery and transition towards environmental sustainability.
• UNDP organized a virtual webinar under the Climate Promise project with the Technical Secretariat of the Kosovo Climate Change committee, working group of the Kosovo National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), and the representatives of the Sustainable Development Committee to strengthen critical institutional efforts to address climate action within their pandemic response. Through the project, UNDP is supporting Kosovo Institutions to enhance the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction and long-term decarbonization strategies by ensuring to accelerate nature and climate actions and help communities to “build back better” from COVID-19.