Kosovo has entered into a Digital Governance Project valued at 18.5 million euros (20 million US dollars) aimed at enhancing the quality of selected public administrative services and improving user accessibility. This five-year initiative comprises three main components: the digital transformation of government processes, the digitization of public services, and the bolstering of human resources and systems.
Financial support for this project comes in the form of a concessional loan worth 20 million US dollars from the International Development Association (IDA) within the World Bank Group. This loan has a 25-year maturity period and a grace period of 5 years. The Information Society Agency will oversee the project’s implementation, focusing on the three key areas mentioned.
The project’s primary objective is to streamline government services through digital means, making them more accessible to citizens. Additionally, it aims to digitize various certificates and documents, reducing the need for physical visits to government offices.
Kosovo’s Minister of Finance, Labor, and Transfers Hekuran Murati shared more details about the project, stating, “The project has three components: digital government transformation, including the implementation of digital signatures as requested by the World Bank; digital transformation for public services, where numerous certificates and documents can be downloaded online without the necessity of in-person visits, and we plan to invest further in this aspect; and the sustainable capacity building of staff and systems even after the project’s conclusion”.
Massimiliano Paolucci, the World Bank’s Country Manager for Kosovo and North Macedonia, commended Kosovo for achieving significant milestones in digital reform, highlighting that it has one of the highest connectivity rates in Europe. However, he stressed that these achievements have not yet sufficiently translated into improved services for citizens and businesses.
Paolucci also noted that Kosovo is the only country in Europe with internet coverage extended to 100% of its territory. Developing the infrastructure of digital governance and fortifying government network infrastructure and common platforms are foundational steps to facilitate the digital transformation of government and public services.
He emphasized that the successful digitization of services and the promotion of their use will not only bolster Kosovo’s efforts in combating corruption, empowering women, and addressing climate change but will also contribute to an improved quality of life for its citizens.
