A decade of microfinance and improved child well-being in Kosovo

Ten years after microfinance institution (MFI) KosInvest began work in Kosovo, its clients, staff and partners are celebrating improved child well-being thanks to loans for poor rural families and the peacebuilding work of World Vision in Kosovo.Since its inception, KosInvest has impacted the lives of 40,000 children through 12,000 loans totaling US$24 million and 16,000 jobs, which have been created or sustained through microfinance.

KosInvest was established in 2001, two years after World Vision launched an emergency response during the brutal conflict. KosInvest was mandated to help World Vision programmes in reviving the struggling agricultural industry and helping establish and expand small family businesses.

My children have benefited from both World Vision programmes and from the added income which would not be possible without loans from KosInvest

“Loans from KosInvest enabled a gradual increase of my income which I used to support my children’s schooling”, said Ms. Zejnije Dedushaj at the recent anniversary celebration. “As a female bread winner it meant so much to me”, added Zejnije whose daughter Ardita is a graduated member of World Vision’s Kids for Peace Club in Kraishta and today studies medicine at the University of Prishtina.

“My children have benefited from both World Vision programmes and from the added income which would not be possible without loans from KosInvest”, said Mr. Zoran Spasic, a father of three children of which two were involved in World Vision’s Civil Society Programme. Zoran is also a teacher volunteer that claims that members of the Kids for Peace club in Rabovce are more open minded and have a positive impact on the learning process of their class mates. Dozens of other KosInvest clients have shared positive feedback about the impact on loans on their children’s wellbeing. In a July 2010 survey a high percentage of respondents spoke of positive loan impact in improved nourishment resulting in better health of their children, in their improved judgement and self esteem, and in their preparedness to become adolescents ready for economic opportunities. Integration of KosInvest operations with the programmes of its founder, World Vision, is key to sustaining both economic and social progress in Kosovo. Peace was and still is a precondition enabling normal interactive markets, economic development and wellbeing in general. KosInvest currently has 2,700 active clients, a portfolio of US$4.5 million and 53% female clients. Its growth rate is one of the fastest amongst Kosovo’s microfinance sector. -Ends-