Contribution to the Kosovo Property Agency (KPA)

Property rights remain a challenge for independent Kosovo and relate to important aspects such as integration of minonty communities, rule of law, and economic development. Further, the protection and restoration of property rights is closely linked to the return of displaced persons and refugees and the protection of human rights. Thus the importance at a fair, transparent and effective property rights dispute mechanism is paramount.

The Kosovo Property Agency (KPA) substantially contributes to restoration and regularization of private immovable property, including agricultural and commercial property in Kosovo.

In total, 41'102 claims are presented to KPA by 6'392 claimants out of which 5.146 or 80.5% are male and 1'256 or 19.5% are female claimants. Over 90 % of KPA claimants belong to non majority communities. Successful adjudication and implementation of property rights disputes by the KPA will contribute to rule of law, promotion of human rights and it will constitute an important precondition for individual return of displaced persons or will enable the rightful owners economical utilization of their property through sale, rent, mortgage, etc.

- Effective finalisation and completion of KPA's mandate - the processing, adjudication and implementation of all (41'102) registered claims.

-KPA's smooth institutional phase out/ transition under its existing mandate and eventual exit strategy as a temporary agency.

Principaux résultats attendus:  

-By December 2011 all outstanding notification, publication and verification of registered claims are completed.

- Latest by August 2012 all 30,662 outstanding claims are fully processed and referred by the KPA to the Kosovo Property Claims Commission (KPCC) for adjudication.

- Adjudication of all outstanding claims is completed by KPCC by August 2012 (with possible contingency extension until 31 December 2012).

- By August 2013 KPA has effectively delivered and implemented all 41,102 KPCC decisions (with possible contingency extension until 31 December 2013).

- Properties under KPA's care continue to be efficiently administered until December 2013.

- By December 2013 decision has been reached and actioned concerning KPA's post-2013 future as a fully localised Kosovo institution financed by the Government of Kosovo budget.

Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

Since its establishment in 2006, the KPA has registered 41'102 claims. 89.1 per cent of its registered claims fall in the agricultural category, 8.5 per cent are residential and 2.4 per cent commercial properties. Until March 2011, KPA has adjudicated 13' 053 claims.

Government of Kosovo, Governments of USA, UK, Norway, SIDA, ICO, Eulex.

Several international donors support the KPA, via bilateral agreements signed with the Kosovar Ministry of Finance: Governments of Nonway, UK and US, SDC, and SIDA mostly with budget support and partly also with in-kind support.

Besides the support to KPA, Switzerland is supporting the establishment of the Notary Service in Kosovo. These two interventions are interlinked and complementary and tackle property issues from various angles, thus contributing to regularization of property rights issues in Kosovo and in releasing the burden of overloaded local courts.

Phase 5 01.05.2011 - 31.01.2015   (Completed)