Digital Transformation Center Kosovo

At a glance

Kosovo has the youngest population in Europe and, at the same time, a very high youth unemployment rate. 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 (DTC) Kosovo is 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.

The DTC is ITP`s one-stop shop for all things digital and the home of services crucial for thriving in the digital sphere. It is not just one specific physical space. It rather focuses on offering a holistic set of services in the field of digital transformation.

Those can be services for

  • ICT companies and entrepreneurs to help start or grow their business or find new employees,
  • For any other company that wants to digitally transform,
  • For individuals who want to develop digital skills,
  • And for the overall digital community and ecosystem, from researchers to policymakers, to exchange and grow together.

This is nothing the ITP can or wants to do alone, it happens through collaboration and matching complementary expertise. A number of likeminded people and organizations were found who are building up this service portfolio together with the DTC in order to serve the future digital transformation needs of the country and region.

The portfolio of support services covers the following main pillars:

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