Backstopping of Caritas Switzerland in Kosovo
Skat assists Caritas Switzerland in the appraisal, planning, implementation, follow-up and quality assurance of village-level water supply, sanitation and hygiene projects through support missions to the field and advisory services from the desk.
Country:
Kosovo
Project Period:
2007 – 2011
Name of Staff involved and functions performed:
Project Manager: Roger Schmid (backstopper and coach)
Name Client(s):
Caritas Switzerland
Description of the Project:
Caritas Switzerland has been involved in reconstruction and development cooperation in Kosovo since 1999. Today, improving the living conditions and livelihoods of ethnic minorities as well as fostering the peaceful coexistence and the collaboration between different ethnic groups in villages of the Prizren, Dragash, Shterpce, Drenas and Gjakova municipalities (Southern Kosovo) are the principal object of its support through its “Community Building and Local Development” Project. Within the scope of community building processes, projects also targeted at infrastructure improvements are identified and prioritized by the village groups. Water supply and environmental sanitation as well as social infrastructure projects (schools, kindergartens and youth/women/community centres) and their sustainable operation & maintenance and use are supported by Caritas Switzerland through advisory services, financial contributions and advocacy targeted at municipalities, ministries and potential donors.
Since early 2007, Skat has assisted Caritas Switzerland in the appraisal, planning, implementation and follow-up of village-level water supply, sanitation, hygiene and other infrastructure projects. Within this partnership, Skat complements the technical competencies and sector knowledge available in the country programme by providing thematic support to the local Caritas office in Prizren and the Kosovo desk at the agency’s head office through advisory services from the desk and half-yearly backstopping, coaching and training missions to the field. In particular, Skat conducts situation analyses, fact-finding for decision-taking, approval of design of water supply and sanitation systems, and undertakes facilitation of multi-stakeholder dialogues, formulates project documentation and provides support, training as well as coaching of the local staff in tendering, contracting, supervision, capacity building, operation and maintenace of water supply and sanitation services and quality control.
