December 3, 2025 | Wednesday
Across Kosovo, small businesses, farmers, artisans, and community groups are finding new opportunities to rebuild their lives and strengthen their communities through the EU-funded Community Stabilisation Programme IV (EU-CSP IV). Managed by the EU in Kosovo and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the Ministry for Communities and Return (MCR), the programme supports members of non-majority communities to improve their living conditions, generate income, and build sustainable livelihoods.
What makes EU-CSP IV stand out is its strong focus on people, their determination, their ideas, and their potential to contribute to positive change. Whether it is a woman starting a tailoring workshop, a young entrepreneur launching a small carpentry business, or a community coming together to improve shared services, the impact of the programme is visible in every municipality.
Creating Livelihoods and Restoring Dignity
For many families, access to economic opportunities is key to remaining in their communities or returning to rebuild their lives after years abroad. The EU-funded Community Stabilisation Programme IV directly supports this process by providing support, equipment, and technical assistance for start-ups and existing small businesses. Thanks to this support, beneficiaries are able to invest in tools, machinery, seeds, livestock, or the resources needed to offer competitive services.
“Before the programme, I struggled to provide for my family,” says one beneficiary who opened a small-scale metallurgy production workshop with EU support. “The support allowed me to turn an idea into a functioning business, and today I can rely on a stable income.”
Stories like this reflect the broader achievements of the programme. To date, 364 small businesses, 101 community development projects, and 15 cooperative initiatives have been supported across all 38 municipalities of Kosovo. More than 500 full-time and seasonal jobs have been created or sustained, and over 50,000 people have indirectly benefited through improved family incomes and community services.
Over 50% of supported projects focus on women, youth, and persons with disabilities, demonstrating the programme’s strong commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity.
Supporting Diverse Communities
The EU-funded Community Stabilisation Programme IV works with a wide range of communities, including Kosovo Serb, Roma, Ashkali, Egyptian, Bosniak, Gorani, Turkish, Croat, and Kosovo Albanian communities in northern Kosovo. Tailored support ensures that each beneficiary receives what is most relevant to their environment, market access, and long-term sustainability.
Through field visits, mentoring, and mobile outreach, IOM teams help beneficiaries make informed decisions, strengthen their business plans, and connect to local markets. These regular on-site visits also help build trust and ensure that assistance responds to real needs.
Strengthening Community Resilience and Cohesion
Beyond individual livelihoods, the EU-funded Community Stabilisation Programme IV also supports community development projects such as multi-ethnic schools, medical facilities, and local infrastructure improvements. These initiatives bring communities together, encourage cooperation across ethnic lines, and strengthen shared spaces that everyone can benefit from.
A key strength of EU-CSP IV is its close coordination with other EU-funded programmes, particularly those supporting voluntary return. This collaboration ensures seamless support for returnee families, maximises resources, and strengthens the long-term impact of EU investments.
Clear procedures, transparent selection processes, in-kind assistance (rather than cash transfers), and co-funding by beneficiaries reinforce ownership and ensure accountability. Market linkages and in-kind community contributions further expand the programme’s reach.
The EU has been walking side by side with IOM and joining in their mission to provide humanitarian assistance, supporting displaced populations, and contributing to long-term recovery after conflicts. The EU-funded Community Stabilisation Programme IV is one among the many EU-supported initiatives of IOM, demonstrating the transformative power of targeted support, community cooperation, and inclusive economic development. Through its people-centred approach, the programme continues to help individuals strengthen their livelihoods, empower families, and build more cohesive and resilient communities across Kosovo.