The rule of law in Kosovo is constrained by poorly defined and enforced property rights, especially the property rights of women and members of minority communities. The absence of an effective property rights regime weakens democratic governance, impacts human rights, disempowers women and impedes sustainable economic growth.
Working closely with the EU, the Kosovo Property Rights Program (PRP) will assist the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) to develop a property reform strategy and new property law. PRP is the only donor-funded project in Kosovo working to improve court procedures related to property claims, with an emphasis on improving court practices that prevent women from inheriting property in practice. The project supports implementation of USAID Forward and Local Solutions by building the capacity of Kosovo Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and municipal governments to manage and administer USAID direct awards through grants and Government to Government (G2G) agreements. PRP supports local CSOs to develop and implement public information, awareness, and advocacy campaigns to inform women and men about women’s rights to property and change attitudes and behaviors that prevent women from inheriting property. The project also builds municipal capacity to improve delivery of property related services, enabling citizens to more efficiently engage in property related transactions.
The overall goal of the Property Rights Program (PRP) is to improve the property rights regime in Kosovo, strengthen the rule of law, and increase economic growth and investment. The Property Rights Program is implemented under four objectives:
Objectives
- Objective 1: Better Coordination and Policy Priorities
- Objective 2: Improved Court Procedures Related to Property Claims
- Objective 3: Enhance Women’s Rights to Use Property in Practice
- Objective 4: Improved Communication, Access to Information, and Understanding of Property Rights
Expected Outcomes
- Development of implementation-oriented legislation to clearly define property rights and improve tenure security for women and members of minority communities
- Development of improved court procedures to more efficiently resolve property claims and disputes
- Increased capacity of courts to decide and enforce property rights
- Increased capacity of Civil Society Organizations to raise public awareness, change societal attitudes and behaviors, and advocate for women’s rights to property
- Increased number of women inheriting property and securing access to credit
- Municipalities improve delivery of services to enable citizens to more easily transact their property rights