Kosovo lies in the south-western corner of Serbia, bordering Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania.  The territory has been the backdrop to a centuries-old and often-strained relationship between its Serb and ethnic Albanian inhabitants.  The province is administered by the UN, having endured a conflict in the late 1990s which was fuelled by ethnic division and repression. Sovereignty at present remains in Belgrade, though full independence seems increasingly likely. To date reconciliation between the pro independence ethnic Albanians majority (88%) and the Serb minority (6%) remains unlikely.

Initially working with Kosovo refugees entering Albanian project area of Shkodra in the North, the relief and development charity EveryChild assisted host communities in the provision of emergency aid. In late 1999 the NGO entered Kosovo with returning refugees to assist in reconstruction efforts in the country.  Traveling to the country in 2003 I formed part of the project evaluation team.  Still showing the visible signs of conflict, and with a heavy military presence, I was nonetheless impressed by the tangible progress that had been achieved in reconstruction through a series of Quick Impact Projects (QIPs).  Firstly, a Foster Care Programme provided a route to adoption for orphaned children and provided families at risk of breakdown the opportunity to get their lives back on track while their child/children were cared for.  Secondly, Community focused early learning centres were established in Pristina, Peja, Radac and Gllogiani provided access to pre-school education and vocational skills training.  The individual projects in the province have since been handed over the region municipality with the support of the UN interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK).  The project design has since been adopted by UNICEF, who are developing additional projects throughout the province.