Pristina, May 18, 2023 – The final meeting of the steering committee of the project “EU Support to the Ombudsperson Institution (OIK) in Kosovo” was held.

The project started in 2019 and was aimed at improving the capacities of the OIK and developing new tools and methods, supporting the Ombudsperson in the effective protection and promotion of basic human rights and freedoms.

Ombudsperson, Mr. Qelaj said that the institution has benefited a lot from this project, finding, among other things, that the engagement of experts and consultants in many fields has influenced the rise and strengthening of the professional capacities of the OIK staff.

“The project enabled us to increase our capacities with the inclusion of good practices and access to another dimension in terms of cooperation with other institutions, which have an impact on respecting the authority of the ombudsman, which is measured by the level of applicability of our recommendations,” said Mr. Qelaj.

The head of the EU office in Kosovo, Ambassador Mr. Tomas Szunyog, said that the EU office will continue to contribute to the advancement of human rights and freedoms.

“We acknowledge the importance of implementing the Ombudsperson’s recommendations and call on institutions to take action on these recommendations and join us in further improving human rights practices in Kosovo,” said Szunyog.

The project leader, Mr. George Tugush presented the report on the work and activities of the project, which was divided into four pillars: i) development of the institutional capacities of the IAP in essential areas, ii) strengthening of the administration and management, iii) awareness campaigns for the role and importance of the institution, and iii) providing assistance to the procurement office for technical supplies, mainly information technology.

“I think we have had a positive impact on the overall development of the Ombudsperson’s Institution, and the money provided for this project has been used as efficiently as possible,” Tugush said.

He also spoke about the organization of trainings, seminars and conferences, as well as study visits and reports with recommendations in certain areas according to identified needs.

The financing of this project was done by the IPA funds of the EU, in the amount of about 3 million euros, while the implementation of the project was led by DAI Global Austria GmbH & Co KGs.