ANNUAL WORKSHOP WITH DONOR COMMUNITY AND EMBASSY REPRESENTATIVES
Millennium Foundation Kosovo (MFK), together with Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), hosted their annual high-level workshop with embassy representatives and the donor community on Thursday, June 24th. The workshop was organized to provide updates on how the Threshold Program’s portfolio of projects has progressed over the previous year marked by the pandemic, and on the current status of the ongoing Compact Program development.
The opening remarks were delivered by MCC Country Director for Kosovo Sarah Olmstead and MFK CEO Petrit Selimi. Mrs. Olmstead emphasized the importance of donor alignment to most effectively achieve MCC and U.S. Government assistance objectives in Kosovo. “The goal of U.S. Government assistance to Kosovo is to promote the self-sufficiency of Kosovo’s institutions. For MCC as a donor agency, donor coordination is an essential requirement for more efficient and effective development programming, and to harmonize our respective approaches with the country’s goals and objectives,” she noted in her welcoming address.
MFK CEO Petrit Selimi underscored the importance of communication between donors, especially given the difficulties imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. “MFK collaborates with many actors in the donor community regarding international financial cooperation. In the challenging circumstances of the pandemic, it is important that we maintain open lines of communication and cooperation for the benefit of Kosovo citizens,” he stated during the event.
During the event, MFK representatives provided updates on projects related to Energy, Good Governance, Open Data, Gender and Social Inclusion, Rule of Law, and Environmental Activities. An open discussion period allowed attendees to engage directly with MFK staff and leadership to learn more about different projects and future plans.
The event strictly followed Covid-19 protocols and included a virtual option for those unable to attend in-person.
——-
Millennium Foundation Kosovo is an accountable entity responsible for implementation of the $49 million Threshold agreement, signed by the Republic of Kosovo and MCC in 2017. MFK’s mission statement calls for accelerating Kosovo’s transition to energy independence and good governance. The Kosovo Threshold Program addresses two key constraints to Kosovo’s economic growth: an unreliable supply of electricity; and real and perceived weakness in rule of law, government accountability and transparency.