The objective of this project is to accelerate the process of building the capacities of local and central authorities responsible for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters in a way that caters to different gendered needs, and to build trust and confidence between the Serb-majority municipalities in northern Kosovo and central authorities in Pristina through mutually beneficial DRR activities. Recognizing that the project will be delivered in a context of mounting socio-political tensions and conflict risk, the project will incorporate comprehensive conflict-sensitive approaches both in order to prevent activities contributing to any further tensions, and to identify opportunities for delivery that may contribute to confidence-building and wider conflict prevention measures. Built upon our ongoing successful results in DRR which catalyzed additional financial support from the Japanese Government, the project will continue to promote an integrated and intersectional approach to climate, conflict and disaster, also in consideration of gender aspects in Disaster Risk Management (DRM) at both municipal and local levels.

Since women and men experience disasters and conflict differently and women are not sufficiently involved in DRR. This project will cater to differentiated needs and promote women’s role in DRR in order to enhance the effectiveness of DRM and resilience of Kosovo’s population. In addition, close partnerships with local partners and donor community will serve to mobilize further resources.

Goals (What do we want to achieve)

The project intends to achieve the following two outputs: 

Output.1. Enhanced capacity of Kosovo’s local and central institutions and society to prepare for, respond to, prevent and mitigate disasters through an intersectional approach that advances gender equality and caters to the unique needs of women and marginalized populations. 

Output.2 Four northern municipalities of Kosovo have strengthened conflict-sensitive prevention of, preparation to and response to disaster in a gender equitable manner 

Results Achieved Phase I

- Four disaster-vulnerable northern municipalities supported in preparing inclusive and gender-sensitive Local Risk Assessment documents.

-Equipment for primary flood response provided for 4 municipalities.

- EMA supported in facilitating coordination between Kosovo’s central DRR institutions and (Kosovo Environmental Protection Agency, Kosovo Forestry Agency, Geological Survey etc.) and northern municipalities.

- Capacities of Kosovo’s relevant DRR stakeholders enhanced for exchange of information/data with local, regional and international DRR stakeholders (ministries, research institutions and other relevant entities).

- Awareness Campaign for the European Day of 112 (Emergency number, 11 February) to highlight the women’s role in emergency management. 

-The renovation of the building the Firefighting and Rescue Unit Building in Leposaviq/ć is successfully finalized. The support that UNDP provided to the municipality by renovating the firefighting building enables the firefighters of municipality of Leposaviq/ć to build trust with Kosovo Management Agency and further enhance collaboration with central institutions.

-Improved technical and logistical capacities of 4 municipalities to ensure better response in emergencies especially for primary flood response

- Improved coordination and respond capacities of the AME and 4 municipalities through community drill with special focus on flood preparedness in an inclusive and gender-sensitive manner.

- Capacities of women to prepare for and respond to disasters improved through training sessions, especially with the community drill.

 -Implemented   flood prevention and recovery project in Pasjan/Partesh municipality.

Expected Results phase II

• Brief Training Manual-Gender dimension and conflict prevention DRR, highlighting gender equality efforts developed; 

• Capacity to uptake tools in the area of conflict-sensitivity and its relevance to delivery of DRR with key stakeholders enhanced through trainings and workshops.

• Municipal and ministerial gender focal points trained on preparing for and responding to DRR/CP, with an emphasis on the importance of gender dimension in Post Disaster Damage Assessment (PDDA). 

• Four Gender and conflict sensitive DRR plan developed 

• Capacities for promoting disaster preparedness, response and recovery enhanced through two Community drills in Zubin Potok and Vushtrri municipalities 

• Four gender DRR awareness teams, targeting community members to ensure women are involved in decision making processes, monitoring, and evaluation established;

• Implemented 4 disaster prevention and recovery project in Zubin Potok and Malishevë/o municipalities.