According to the Bank’s website, the project's development objective is to improve the quality and equitable access to early childhood education and care services in Kosovo.

The project will support activities which aim to improve the quality of ECEC services through improvements to the regulatory framework, institutional capacity building, and training of teachers and healthcare professionals. It also aims to enhance child development outcomes by fostering collaboration across diverse sectors. The project will also improve access to ECEC services through the creation of additional spaces, provision of essential equipment, and facilitation of teaching and learning materials. Furthermore, a voucher program will be implemented to safeguard access for vulnerable children and families. The project is expected to reach 3,800 children, 1,500 ECEC teachers and education professionals, and 1,500 healthcare professionals who would benefit from training, renovations, repurposing, adaptation, and construction of new facilities, a voucher program, and training opportunities. Expanded provision of childcare is also expected to increase the participation of women in the workforce.

The environmental risk is proposed moderate. The anticipated environmental risks are expected to be moderate since the Project is financing medium-scale activities, the rehabilitation, and the repurposing of existing spaces as well as the possible construction of new kindergartens, most of which will not be identified until implementation begins. The physical works envisaged under Components 3 are of medium scale. Potential adverse environmental impacts may include water pollution from fuel and waste leakage, noise, vibration, and temporary air pollution from construction activities, waste generation including hazardous materials, road traffic limitations, and potential impacts on historical and cultural heritage sites. These risks are however expected to be temporary, predictable, and easily mitigable. The proposed Project activities are not expected to be in environmentally sensitive areas or near known cultural heritage sites; however, the final districts for Project activities are yet to be identified. The activities are not expected to generate serious adverse or long-term effects on human health or the environment.

The social risk of the Project is proposed moderate. The Project finances infrastructure works for the construction and rehabilitation of ECEC facilities. The physical works envisaged under Component 3 are of medium scale and the associated social impacts are expected to be temporary, predictable, and easily mitigable. The Project is designed to avoid physical/ economic displacement and/or loss of structures, primarily utilizing existing plans. In rare cases where land acquisition is necessary, an approved RFP is in place to address these situations.

The approved financial support for this project is EUR 18.6 million (US$20 million equivalent), a concessional credit from World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA). The credit repayment period for this operation is 25 years, which includes a 5-year grace period. The project will also be financed with an additional US$2 million grant from the Early Learning Partnership Trust Fund. lo

World Bank

Tigran Shmis, Mrike Aliu
Senior Education Specialist

Borrower/Client/Recipient

Ministry of Finance, Labor, and Transfers

Implementing Agencies

Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovations
Edona Maloku Berdyna
Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Technology, and Innov
edona.maloku.berdyna@rks-gov.net

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The World Bank Inspection Panel is the independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who believe they are likely to be, or have been, adversely affected by a World Bank-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the Inspection Panel, they may investigate to assess whether the World Bank is following its own policies and procedures for preventing harm to people or the environment. You can contact the Inspection Panel or submit a complaint by emailing ipanel@worldbank.org. Information on how to file a complaint and a complaint request form are available at: https://www.inspectionpanel.org/how-to-file-complaint