Slow Fashion Atelier in Kosovo. Photo: Johanna Klein
Kosovo faces pressing challenges in its journey toward private sector development. Low employment rates and productivity levels cast a shadow over the nation’s economic landscape. Moreover, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kosovo lag behind their regional counterparts in adopting green practices and sustainable business models.
In an era marked by increasing export standards and sustainability regulations, such as the EU’s sustainable value chains directive, the competitiveness of these SMEs may dwindle further. Additionally, Kosovo grapples with climate change and environmental issues, including soil and air pollution, as well as waste and wastewater management.
However, a promising strategy lies in greening the private sector. This transformation could yield several benefits, such as enhanced competitiveness, the creation of green jobs, and a reduction in environmental impacts.
To explore this potential further, the Swiss Cooperation Office in Kosovo is undertaking a scoping mission to assess the feasibility, suitable sectors for intervention, driving forces, and necessary framework conditions for a Green Economy. The mission’s primary goal is to identify areas where support can be channeled to bolster Kosovo’s private sector, ensuring its competitiveness, adherence to Environmental, Social, and Governance standards, and transition toward a green economy.
A dedicated team of two consultants—a Green Economy consultant from GlobalCAD and a sustainable impact consultant well-versed in Kosovo’s local landscape—have been asked to undertake this assignment. Together, they will provide a comprehensive overview of the current private sector development landscape in Kosovo, with a specific focus on green economy initiatives.
They analyze existing initiatives, assess the legal and regulatory framework, evaluate the state of the private sector, gauge awareness regarding green private sector development, explore possibilities for the integration of green and digital advancements, examine the role of women in fostering a green economy, and identify capacity development needs for both public entities (e.g., municipalities) and the private sector.
Through this analysis, the consultants aim to pinpoint areas where the Swiss Embassy can play a pivotal role in supporting Kosovo’s private sector, ushering in a transformative green future.
