The digital transformation is already a reality in Kosovo, as Kosovo institutions with the support from UNDP have begun to transfer legal, social and civil service delivery online. Accelerated digitalization can be expected to create new business models and opportunities for digital leapfrogging in traditional industries and governance.

In the past months, business continuity was severely hampered, and many government officials and staff had to continue working in their physical offices not only due to infrastructure issues, but most importantly due to the presence and location of data and information in offline data files and paper-based systems.

But while there has been much emphasis on digital tools and technologies, we must also support the framework of digital transformation – policy, institutional coordination and trainings, and leadership – remains a significant challenge in many countries in the region, and thus may continue to constrain effective digital transformation if left unaddressed.

We are working to help Kosovo institutions to deliver services remotely and establish digital platforms for anti-corruptions, rule of law, social services, and psychological support.

UNDP Kosovo quickly adapted its delivery mode to this new reality and tapping into digital opportunities to respond to the crisis.

Here's what we're doing:

• UNDP led a rapid Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA) conducted jointly with UNFPA and UN Women in May 2020 and made the data available through an interactive visualizer on Power-BI platform. Second SEIA was conducted in November 2020, and the third one was conducted in May 2021.
• In close coordination with the United Nations Development Coordinator, UNDP effectively played the technical leadership role in preparing the UN Kosovo Team Socio-Economic Response Plan (SERP) which was finalized in August 2020.  Furthermore, UNDP engaged international socio-economic recovery expertise to support Kosovo institutions in planning the implementation of the economic recovery package, with SERP aligned to complement it.
• UNDP will assist the acceleration of Government and private sector efforts towards whole-of-society digital transformation and transitioning to a “digital government” concept, with emphasis on: digital inclusion of most vulnerable groups and elaboration of citizen-driven digital solutions based on innovative engagement with the private sector.
• As part of overall UNDP's support to digitalisation, the Institute of Forensic Medicine (IFM) and Kosovo Police (KP) archive is being digitalized, in cooperation with UK & Swiss Embassy in Pristina. The digitisation of all IFM files with direct access to them for the KP will enable unification of data and information which now sits in different databases.
• UNDP Kosovo has been given the opportunity to pilot a new global UNDP Digital Readiness Assessment (DRA) tool that aims at mapping out the shape, pace and types of digital transition that is happening in Kosovo. The tool will also look at what can be done to accelerate the transition, while ensuring that no one is left behind, in moving towards a whole-of-society digital masterplan. The Digital Readiness Assessment will provide rapid, high-level insights into a Kosovo’s digital strengths and weaknesses, and is intended to serve as an opportunity for increased engagement between the UN and other international partners, Kosovo institutions, businesses, and the civil society.