Consultation with Civil Society for the Instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance 2014-2020

During the meeting, Secretary General of MEI, Mr. Demush Shasha informed participants regarding the process of preparation of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance 2014-2020 and steps undertaken from institutions regarding their contribution within this process. In addition, participants were informed about Kosovo`s priority selection process for IPA 2014-2020 and key comments that Kosovo`s institutions made in the context of preparing IPA 2014-2020.

Mr. Christof Stock, Head of Operations in ECLO informed participants on the current adoption situation of IPA Regulation 2014-2020. In addition, Mr. Stock informed participants regarding innovations that IPA 2014-2020 will bring compared to IPA 2007-2013. In particular Mr. Stock highlighted that one of the key innovations will be the sector approach, in which case EU assistance will be focused in less priorities but with larger financial amounts.

Mr. Nicola Bertolini from the DG Enlargement, informed participants regarding the process of involving Civil Society in the process of European Integration and on the importance that European Union gives to the role of the civil society. In addition, Mr. Bertolini presented the process of preparing the Guidelines for European Union Support for Civil Society in enlargement countries.

During the meeting, civil society presented a number of recommendations for the Instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance 2014-2020 for Kosovo. Representatives of the civil society highlighted the need for horizontal involvement of the civil society in all 5 priorities of the National Strategy of the European Union for the Instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance 2014-2020 for Kosovo. It was emphasized the need of a larger focus in environmental issues, particularly regarding correlation of environmental issues to food safety, environmental economy and production of electricity. It was underlined that the consumer protection issue should be focused in order to improve general services, whether public or private, during 2014-2020. Representatives of the civil society also emphasized the need for capacity building of local administration in municipal level and better coordination with other donors in Kosovo.

Moreover, representatives of the civil society made a number of specific comments regarding the Guideline for European Union Support for Civil Society in enlargement countries.

National Draft Strategy of the European Commission for the Instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance 2014-2020 for Kosovo has foreseen 5 priorities:

(1)     Rule of law,
(2)     Agriculture,
(3)     Electricity and climate matters,
(4)     Institutional capacity building and
(5)     Economic and social development.

During the next few weeks, will be organized particular consultation with civil society in specific sectors foreseen as priorities within IPA 2014-2020.