Our funding programme in the Balkans addresses the ongoing conflict issues in Kosovo and remains one of Her Majesty’s Government’s (HMG’s) priorities for 2008/9. To be most effective, CPP funding will be used to focus on the main drivers of conflict and UK funds will be targeted against the following areas as set out below.

Problem analysis

Permissive Environment

Kosovo remains a permissive environment for violence and for the threat of violence. Factors that contribute to this are:

• New and weak institutions – the Government is yet to establish a strong reputation for control over the country. The division of authority between international actors and the Government of Kosovo contributes to this. So too does the low capacity of the Government to deliver rule of law.
• Fragmented and developing independent media and civil society organisations – Civil society/media action is needed to generate greater government accountability. But civil society has traditionally played a role in service delivery or implementing donor projects. Advocacy organisations remain weak, though there is evidence of some increased activity.
• Weak Security Sector – The police and other security sectors remain new state institutions. Further capacity building is necessary. The rule of law is not in effect in all areas of the country.
• Weak rule of law institutions – Rule of law institutions are still in the process of developing capacity. Partial and corruptible rule of law institutions undermine the sense of fairness and also undermines the prospect of using Kosovan institutions to resolve disputes.
• Availability of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)  - SALW remain readily available in Kosovo. Coupled with the weak rule of law this adds to the fear of violence and actual gun crime.
  

Divisions in society

As well as the divides between the K-Albanian and K-Serbian communities there are many more complex allegiances within society, which contribute to perceptions of inequity. Loyalties are aligned to family, political parties, clans, and ethnic groups. Key factors these areas are:

• Limited economic opportunities – in a low growth economy, the limited access people have to economic opportunities (e.g. employment) is used for social and political benefit. This is also the case in Kosovo.
• Differential provision of services – the weak and at best slowly improving public services in Kosovo (e.g. health, education, water, power) is a source of further tension. Poor quality services allow for the widespread perception that communities are served differently.
• Government organised around communities – ethnic, political or clan based allegiances prevail in government organisations allowing partial use of government power.  Even if this is not the case, the perception that government organisations can be biased.
  

Ongoing focus on the past

1999 is very recent history. And the memory of life under Serbian control before that is equally current. There is an ongoing national focus on the past and injustices propagated throughout history. Ways in which the past continues to add to tensions include:

• Legacy issues from 1999 – missing persons, displacement of people from their homes (and subsequent attempts to reclaim property), war damage to property are ongoing issues. Resolving these issues equitably and transparently is essential to reduce tensions between communities.
• Low optimism for the future – with limited economic prospects and slow progress in improvement of services, many believe that there is no positive future for Kosovo. This encourages people to dwell on the past and either glorify past victories or develop a blame culture of all the current wrongs on past injustices.
  

UK government focal areas

Based on the above, and the areas where the UK has a relative expertise, UK Government funding through the CPP funding for 2008/11 is focused on the following.

Rule of Law

Effective rule of law is essential to a fair, stable and prosperous society; especially in a post-conflict context. The UK will support projects to support the development of the  rule of law. These include work on establishing a constitutional court, KPS senior management capacity, building and looking at provision of a probation service throughout Kosovo, and supporting policy making in the rule of law sector.

Security Sector Reform

The Security Sector in Kosovo requires democratic oversight and improved capacity to fulfil its mandated tasks.  The UK will support the establishment of efficient and democratically accountable security infrastructure and institutions which lead to the development of expeditionary and niche capabilities to NATO standards and which promote regional security. Projects for this and next financial year include support for the NATO trust fund to work with the KPC stand-down, support to the development of the KSF’s expeditionary and niche capacities to NATO standards and additional support to the development of Kosovo’s strategic security architecture.

Support to institutions working on the issues of missing persons

Resolving the status of missing persons deserves continued support. Work done on this issue will help to reduce levels of existing tension between communities and most importantly will provide much needed answers those families who are affected. The UK will continue to provide funding for the Office of Missing Persons and Forensics.

Support the return of IDPs and refugees and resolution of property claims

The returns process for IDPs and refugees who wish to return to their homes in Kosovo as well as the resolution of property claims is of vital importance to helping reduce tension and conflict existing around these issues. Projects include support for the Kosovo Property Agency and the SPARK programmes.

This is not a definitive list of projects but is meant to be indicative of the areas of work we are currently involved in. We welcome project concept notes that support these areas. You should prepare concept notes in line with the general guidance on projects provided on the British Embassy web pages. The web site also provides information on where to submit your concept note.