The UN in Kosovo

References to Kosovo on this website shall be understood to be in the context of Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999).

The United Nations presence in Kosovo dates to 1999, when the Security Council established the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) through Security Council resolution 1244 (1999). More information on UNMIK, its mandate and its current activities is available on the UNMIK website.

The UNKT and UNMIK work closely together for the improvement of lives of all Kosovo residents.

The United Nations Kosovo Team (UNKT) brings together United Nations agencies, funds and programmes working in Kosovo. Under the coordination of the United Nations Development Coordinator, the team combines its knowledge, mandates and resources to support sustainable development, human rights, equality and resilience.

The UNKT works with institutions, municipalities, civil society, communities, development partners, international financial institutions, academia and the private sector. Together, they contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.

This work is guided by human rights, gender equality, disability inclusion, youth empowerment, accountability and the commitment to leave no one behind.

UNKT Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development 2026–2030

The UNKT Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development 2026–2030 sets out the United Nations’ shared contribution to Kosovo’s development priorities over five years.

It is shaped by the Common Kosovo Analysis and consultations with institutions, civil society, women and young people, non-majority communities, organisations of persons with disabilities, rural communities, people on the move, the private sector and development partners.

The analysis points to persistent challenges. These include unequal access to education, healthcare, care services and social protection; labour-market exclusion; gaps in public-sector capacity and access to justice; gender inequality; demographic change; and growing environmental and climate risks.

The Strategic Plan responds through three connected Priority Areas. Together, they aim to improve people’s opportunities, strengthen public systems and support a greener, more inclusive economy.

An integrated approach

The three Priority Areas reinforce one another. Better education, health and social protection help people take part in society and the economy. Accountable institutions and access to justice build trust and improve public services. Inclusive economic growth creates opportunities and strengthens resilience.

Human rights, gender equality, youth and disability inclusion, migration, digital transformation and civil society participation are integrated across all areas of work.

The UNKT combines policy advice, technical support, capacity development and community-level action. It also helps generate evidence, improve the use of data, test new approaches and scale up solutions that deliver results.

Coordinated implementation and accountability

The Strategic Plan is implemented under the overall coordination of the United Nations Development Coordinator.

Three Results Groups, one for each Priority Area, coordinate delivery and identify opportunities for joint programming. They are supported by system-wide mechanisms covering monitoring and evaluation, human rights, gender equality, migration, operations, communications and advocacy.

Annual Joint Workplans set out agreed actions, responsibilities, timelines and resources. They are reviewed regularly so that the UNKT can respond to new evidence, changing needs and emerging risks.

Progress is measured against agreed indicators, baselines and targets. Results are presented in a single UN Kosovo Team Annual Results Report, providing partners and the public with a clear account of progress, challenges, resources and lessons learned.

An independent evaluation takes place in 2029 to assess the relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the UNKT’s contribution.

Partnerships and financing

Partnerships are central to delivering the Strategic Plan. The UNKT works with institutions and municipalities, civil society, communities, development partners, international financial institutions, academia, media and the private sector.

Resource mobilisation focuses on coordinated donor engagement, joint programmes, pooled funding and co-financing. Shared planning and reporting helps reduce duplication, improve transparency and show the added value of the United Nations working as one team.

Through its combined expertise, convening role and commitment to human rights, the UNKT remains a trusted and coordinated partner—connecting people, institutions, knowledge and financing to achieve lasting results for all people in Kosovo.

Priority Areas

Human Capital Development

By 2030, people in Kosovo benefit from increased and sustained investment in human capital development, with a particular emphasis on women’s empowerment, quality of care and social protection.

The UNKT will support more inclusive education, healthcare, care and social protection systems. The focus will be on better services and opportunities throughout people’s lives, especially for women and girls, children, young people, persons with disabilities, older persons, non-majority communities and people living in underserved areas.

Accountable Governance, Rule of Law and Social Cohesion

By 2030, people in Kosovo benefit from accountable and gender-responsive governance and enhanced social cohesion, without discrimination.

The UNKT will help strengthen transparent institutions, access to justice, human rights and public participation. It will also support dialogue, trust and cooperation among communities, with particular attention to people who face discrimination or barriers to services and decision-making.

Sustainable Economic Development

By 2030, people in Kosovo benefit from decent work, gender equality and green economic development that strengthens resilience to climate change.

The UNKT will support decent work, inclusive entrepreneurship and a fair transition to a greener economy. Joint efforts will promote skills, innovation, sustainable agriculture, responsible business, climate action and better access to economic opportunities, particularly for women, young people and groups at risk of exclusion.

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The Sustainable Development Goals in Kosovo

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Kosovo: