In 2016, Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), in partnership with the British Embassy in Pristina, launched the Transforming Political Governance in Kosovo (TPGK) programme.
The programme supports reforms of the political party system in line with European standards. Political parties are central to the governance challenges countries face and their effectiveness can make-or-break reforms.
After the conflict in 1999, political party pluralism was new to Kosovo following decades of one-party rule. As new institutions, Kosovo’s political parties continue to need support to develop in order to fully contribute to the democratic functioning of society. Political parties connect state institutions with citizens to represent their needs.
Working with political parties, the programme will improve internal democratic structures, enhance transparency and develop strong ideological profiles.
The Political Governance Facility for Kosovo, will be established to award resources to political parties’ to address their internal shortcomings. During 2016, WFD supported political parties to assess their needs in relation to Facility-resourced projects. WFD will provide access to networks of experts and associates on political parties and European standards.
As well as working with political parties directly, structural challenges in the political system such as political finance, transparency, decriminalisation and anti-corruption will be addressed.
Country data
Population: 1.8 million
GDP: $6.65 billion (USD)
GNI per capita: $3,850 (USD)
Media freedom: 48/100 (partly free)
Democracy index: 52/100 (partly free)
Programme data
2016: year of first WFD programme
Results and Activities
Kosovo’s political parties implement projects to address internal shortcomings and progress towards European standards
The regulatory framework increasingly provides incentives to transpose European political party standards, particularly the rule of law
Improved transparency of political parties especially in relation to funding
UK and Kosovo political parties establish sister-party relations
Implementation
Transforming political governance
Planned end: March 2018
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