Digital Transformation Center Kosovo

At a glance

Kosovo has the youngest population in Europe and, at the same time, an unemployment rate of over 60 percent among 15- to 24-year-olds. Despite this, companies are finding it difficult to fill vacancies because many young graduates, particularly in the ICT sector, are not trained to companies’ demand. Kosovo is thus affected both by a strong migration movement out of the country and by low domestic productivity. The activities of new companies are mainly concentrated in the capital Prishtina. In addition, there is an underdeveloped research and innovation ecosystem, slowing down the country’s digital transformation.

Although Kosovo has made some limited progress in digitalizing its economy, advancement is concentrated around larger companies. SMEs still struggle to thrive, and start-ups in particular are severely affected by the country’s skills shortage and lack of economic power. The absence of a proper physical infrastructure of incubation spaces further deters young entrepreneurs from transforming their innovative thoughts into impactful products and start-ups.

Our approach

The Digital Transformation Center Kosovo bundles, supports and connects regional and national activities towards digitalizing the national ecosystem by focusing on three pillars:

Beyond the individual efforts for these pillars, all actors shall be connected in order to develop a thriving digital ecosystem. These measures will be complemented by ensuring that related public agenda-setting, processes, and projects are concentrated around the ecosystem`s needs.

The Digital Transformation Center Kosovo will be deeply integrated into the structure and activities of the “Innovation and Training Park (ITP)” Prizren – a former military camp – building upon its infrastructure, network and complementary vision. By collaborating with the ITP and establishing a Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) Prizren, local SMEs and the technology ecosystem will be strengthened to advance their respective digital transformation.

Our goals

Working on different levels – from individual support and training measures, to support of institutions and political framework development – the Digital Transformation Center strengthens and connects capacities of actors from the private, public, research and education sectors. Doing so, it contributes to a green, inclusive, self-determined and human-centric development of the digital ecosystem and supports local and regional digital transformation processes for sustainable economic development in Kosovo.

Further information