Interview: “The introduction of 70 euros per month childcare subsidy for families making under 500 euros per month for the first 135 beneficiaries has been so far the most well-received GRB example in Kosovo”

Donjeta Sahatçiu made history when she assumed the role of Deputy Mayor for the Municipality of Prishtina, the capital city of Kosovo*, in February 2022, becoming the first woman to hold this position. Aiming to champion gender equality, Sahatçiu has prioritized the design and implementation of gender responsive policies during her tenure. With UN Women, she sheds light on the key Gender-Responsive Budgeting initiatives spearheaded by the Municipality of Prishtina, offering valuable insights into the implementation of these new policies.

Can you offer insights into the effective implementation of gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) initiatives taken by the Municipality of Prishtina?

Our governance approach to gender-responsive budgeting is to effectively instill a mindset, and ultimately leave the legacy of ownership that implementing GRB involves incorporating a gender perspective into all stages of the budgetary process, across all departments and all policies. Some of the most successful initiatives of such an affirmative action approach during the past two years of mandate in Prishtina include, but are not limited to the
introduction of child care subsidy, engaging of thousands of girls in tech/STEM fields during “Girls in ICT Week”, introduction of industrial, entrepreneurial and soft-skill women-tailored training programs, introduction of financial aid for women affected by gender-based violence (GBV), the increase of economic empowerment for women farmers and women-led start-ups, increase of financial support for women athletes and women-led culture initiatives; several cost-free public service allowances for participants of marginalized groups (i.e. public transport, mammography etc.) In this course, I would emphasize the substantial efforts made with the support of UN Women Kosovo Office in conducting comprehensive gender analyses across various sectors and identifying gender inequalities and the specific needs of women within the community. 

How have Prishtina citizens responded to the newly launched initiative of 70 euros subsidy for registration of children in the daycare and what feedback have you received from women and families benefiting from the subsidy? 

The introduction of 70 euros per month childcare subsidy for families making under 500 euros per month for the first 130+ beneficiaries has been so far the most well-received GRB example in Kosovo. Following the joint efforts with Mayor Rama and Education Department team led by Mrs. Besianë Musmurati, this policy has not only helped include more children in early education and eased the household income, but also created the opportunity for more than 130 mothers to return to the labor market. Indirectly, by introducing this measure we have as well encouraged the fathers and/or partners to increase involvement in caregiving and understanding of unpaid work at home. On the other hand, it has creatively balanced the increasing demand for public childcare institutions that require time and funds to be built while supporting the use of existing private infrastructure of licensed early childhood education institutions to provide the service instead. 

What challenges did you face in implementing this initiative and in what ways has the 70 euro subsidy been integrated into the broader municipal budget, and how does it reflect a gender-responsive allocation of existing funds? 

The key challenge when going from ideation to implementation of such a policy was designing the execution process including budgeting, selection, contracts, validation with third-parties (private childcare institutions), and execution of allowances. In the early stages, navigating the budgeting process proved challenging for the institution, given the somewhat novel nature of the concept. This involved not only interpreting the intricacies but also advocating for prioritization in subsidy allocations and securing political support during the municipal Assembly vote. Navigating the contracting process and explaining how the subsidy would practically benefit recipient families presented challenges, particularly in terms of resource expertise and effective communication. However, the ultimate takeaway upon reflection is to achieve a proper understanding of what GRB really is in practice.  It is now given that while there should not necessarily be a specific budget line exclusively designated for GRB in all cases, it's essential to allocate resources strategically to address gender inequalities and promote gender equality.

Can you share any lessons learned or best practices from the implementation of this initiative, specifically related to GRB, that other municipalities in Kosovo could replicate?

The most significant lesson learned, which should serve as a multiplier, is that targeted subsidies can yield multiple positive outcomes, including an indirect impact on gender roles. This is achieved by giving particular importance to resource allocation, enabling the exploration of innovative concepts that offer creative solutions for balancing demand and resources, ultimately contributing to the overall well-being. While we look forward to continuing an excellent tailored partnership with the team of UN Women in Kosovo through ongoing gender analysis work and the completion of the gender action plan, I encourage municipalities or other similar institutions to consider adopting/replicating this policy by advocating for responsible GRB. I would recommend other local level governments to consider designing and implementing targeted subsidies for specific income groups to address both financial constraints on families and broader societal issues such as female labor force participation, explore creative ways to engage the private sector and invest time in designing the execution process, clearly communicate and engage stakeholders, including recipient families, to ensure a shared understanding of how the subsidy works in practice.

What future plans does the Municipality of Prishtina have for further advancing gender-responsive budgeting and promoting women's empowerment?

As a Capital City, we carry the responsibility of paving new ways forward and serve as a role model for other municipalities. We are committed to prioritizing gender-responsive budgeting, channeling resources into programs and projects that distinctly address the needs and concerns of women within the community. Our strategic focus is on advancing gender equality, with plans to expand funding for key areas such as women's health services, educational programs, economic empowerment initiatives, and measures combating gender-based violence. The overarching objective is to actively contribute to the establishment of an inclusive environment, ensuring that women have equal opportunities across education, employment, and leadership roles.

*For the European Union, this designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence. For UN Women, references to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999).