Capacity Development in Europe & CIS

KOSOVO – PRISTINA – 20 February 2009 – To say that the security system in Kosovo – UN Administered Territory Under UNSC 1244 (hereinafter referred to as Kosovo) operates in a complex environment is an understatement. On one hand a NATO-led international military peacekeeping force known as KFOR (the Kosovo Force) retains the main responsibility for peace and security in Kosovo, while on the other hand, the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) has taken the authority from the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) in the field of the Rule of Law (police and justice). The continuous transfer of competencies in Kosovo among international mandatory bodies and between these and the Government of Kosovo during 2008 created a bewildering disorder in the security sector.

 

This is coupled with many other changes – Kosovo-wide elections (November 2007), the formation of a new government (January 2008), Kosovo’s declaration of independence (February 2008), and entry-into-force of a new constitution (June 2008). A challenging environment indeed, for those working in the security sector.

 

To assist national partners working in this rapidly evolving environment, UNDP Kosovo has been providing assistance with its Support to Security Sector Development (3SD) project. During 2008 3SD provided policy advice, management consulting services, and facilitation of training and skills development. A diverse range of support included: facilitating the drafting of laws; assisting the Kosovo Security Council to develop its internal regulations; partnering with the Ministry of Internal Affairs to define priorities and develop a communications strategy; arranging exchange programmes for high-level officials and study tours to relevant EU institutions; organizing security studies training programmes; and working with the Office of the Prime Minister to develop a citizen feedback mechanism, to name but a few. The project has also assisted its beneficiary institutions with substantial legislative and policy development.

 

“I must say that the overall support and assistance received throughout 2008 by UNDP 3SD project has been a tremendous help in the accomplishment of our goals and priorities,” says Minister of Internal Affairs Mr. Zenun Pajaziti. “We would appreciate if 3SD would support us in the future as well.”

 

Institutions in Kosovo have been responding to monumental political and operational changes and now, with policies and legislation in place, are eager to focus on fulfilling their mandates and planning for the long-term. In response to the changing requirements of the institutions its serves, the project is also tweaking its focus – away from ad hoc emergency support that was appropriate last year, to a systemic and comprehensive capacity development approach. There is a consensus among beneficiary institutions and other local and international partners in Kosovo that a shift to capacity development and fostering organizational effectiveness in the security sector is relevant and timely.

 

The project will still aim to strengthen policy formulation and institutional capacity of the security sector; help develop security sector legislation and policy frameworks; increase capacities of security institutions to manage media relations; and promote regional security coordination and cooperation. But in order to increase the impact of the project, support will focus on the Assembly of Kosovo (Committee of Internal Affairs and Security), the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Kosovo Security Council and Secretariat, and the Office of the Prime Minister – a narrower scope of beneficiary institutions. 

 

While refocusing the 3SD project in response to the new political discourse, UNDP Kosovo consulted the BRC Capacity Development Practice, which met with beneficiaries to assess the impact of previous assistance, and to gather more information on the type of support they needed within their respective organizations. The CD Practice also provided information on the capacity development framework and practical tools for implementation of capacity assessments.

 

Emphasis will shift from a singular focus on individual skills building through training to systemic and sustained capacity development in order to foster more effective organizations, beginning with comprehensive capacity assessments – a core service of the 3SD team in 2009.

 

Together with national partners, the project will examine the possibility of defining a capacity development strategy for Kosovo’s security sector – a top priority for 2009. As a first step, the 3SD project will carry out capacity assessments of beneficiary institutions where appropriate.

 

The process of assessments helps to identify the more profound systemic challenges, shifting the capacity development question from one of technical cooperation to a more holistic framework of institutional development. Capacity assessments can also help confirm priorities and build consensus among domestic and international partners. A last important element of a capacity assessment is that it establishes a base line against which progress can be measured.

 

One strong asset of the project itself is that there is a great deal of national expertise within the project team. This resonates well with the capacity development approach, which relies heavily on the knowledge and understanding that can only come from national expertise, particularly relevant for the layered complexities of Kosovo.