The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Kosovo Social Assistance System Reform Project (P171098) Kosovo Social Assistance System Reform Project (P171098) EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA | Kosovo | IBRD/IDA | Investment Project Financing (IPF) | FY 2022 | Seq No: 8 | Archived on 24-May-2025 | ISR03889 Implementing Agencies: Employment Agency of the Republic of Kosovo, Ministry of Finance, Labor and Transfers 1. OBJECTIVE 1.1 Development Objective Original Development Objective (Approved as part of Approval package on 29-Sep-2021) The objective of the project is to improve the equity and adaptability of Kosovo’s social safety net. Has the Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No 2. COMPONENTS Name Component 1. Strengthening social protection delivery systems:(Cost 6,300,000.00) Component 2: Improving the performance of the Social Assistance Scheme:(Cost 48,800,000.00) Component 3. Project implementation and management:(Cost 830,000.00) 3. OVERALL RATINGS Name Previous Current Progress towards achievement of PDO Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating Moderate Moderate 4. KEY ISSUES & STATUS 4.1 Implementation Status and Key Decisions May 24, 2025 Page 1 of 18 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Kosovo Social Assistance System Reform Project (P171098) A mid-term review of the project was conducted in April 2025. The project implementation and the progress toward achieving the PDO remain Satisfactory. The project objectives remain relevant to the country’s development objectives set out in the Kosovo-Country Partnership Framework for the Period FY23-FY27; specifically, Objective 1.2: Improve Efficientcy of Social Protection. The Social Assistance Scheme (SAS) Pilot continues to enroll and make payments to beneficiaries. So far, over 3,300 households have received payments. SAS Pilot beneficiaries have also begun receiving support through the activation pilot, which offers a package of services - including counseling, training, and wage subsidies - designed to facilitate their integration into the labor market. 5. SYSTEMATIC OPERATIONS RISK-RATING TOOL Rating at Approval Last Approved Rating Risk Category Approval Package - ISR Seq. 07 - 13 Feb Proposed Rating 29 Sep 2021 2025 Political and Governance Substantial Substantial Substantial Macroeconomic Moderate Moderate Moderate Sector Strategies and Policies Low Low Low Technical Design of Project or Program Moderate Moderate Moderate Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Moderate Moderate Moderate Sustainability Fiduciary Substantial Substantial Substantial Environment and Social Moderate Moderate Moderate Stakeholders Low Substantial Low Overall Moderate Moderate Moderate May 24, 2025 Page 2 of 18 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Kosovo Social Assistance System Reform Project (P171098) 6. RESULTS 6.1 PDO Indicators by PDO Outcomes Improve the equity of Kosovo's social safety net. Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Closing Period Indicator Name Value Month/Year Value Date Value Date Value Month/Year Beneficiaries (individuals) 0.00 Aug/2021 15,579 (2,777 22-Jan-2025 18,042 (3,279 22-Apr-2025 60,000.00 Dec/2026 selected according to the households) households) new poverty test and paid for Comments on The indicator measures the number of SAS beneficiaries (reformed or pilot) selected by the project (Number) achieving targets according to the new poverty test and paid for by the project. 0.00 Jul/2021 0% for SAS 22-Jan-2025 0% for SAS 22-Apr-2025 90.00 Dec/2026 program, 100% program, 100% SAS beneficiaries for SAS pilot, for SAS pilot, (households) that have been total 2,777 total 2,777 assessed for eligibility using households in households in the new poverty test the SAS pilot the SAS pilot (Percentage) Comments on Share of SAS households receiving benefits that have been assessed for eligibility using the achieving targets new poverty test Improve the adaptability of Kosovo’s social safety net. Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Closing Period Indicator Name Value Month/Year Value Date Value Date Value Month/Year Beneficiaries (individuals) 0.00 Aug/2021 105,296.00 22-Jan-2025 105,296.00 22-Apr-2025 90,000.00 Dec/2026 receiving a temporary Comments on Number of beneficiaries (individuals) receiving a temporary increase in the SAS benefit in increase in the SAS benefit in achieving targets response to COVID-19 paid for by the project. response to COVID-19 paid for by the project (Number) The target has been achieved. May 24, 2025 Page 3 of 18 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Kosovo Social Assistance System Reform Project (P171098) The SAS Aug/2021 The draft of the 22-Jan-2025 The draft of 22-Apr-2025 The SAS has Dec/2026 program is not main SAS the main SAS the able to expand legislation legislation foundations in coverage in includes a includes a place allowing response to temporary temporary it to expand shocks. assistance assistance coverage in program meant program and response to to respond to the possibility shocks. shocks and the of SAS final version program to will include also expand the possibility coverage in of SAS program response to to expand shocks. The SAS program is able to coverage in new law is expand coverage in response response to completed. In to shocks (Text) shocks. The the list of new law is bylaws, there scheduled to is a specific go for internal bylaw for the consultations shock response on February program. 2025. There will be also a specific bylaw for the program that responds to shocks and more details will be known May 24, 2025 Page 4 of 18 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Kosovo Social Assistance System Reform Project (P171098) once the working group is established. Comments on This indicator assesses whether the foundations that would allow the SAS to respond to achieving targets socks are in place. These foundations include legal basis for expansion, supported by secondary legislation and system procedures establishing the eligibility criteria, targeting procedures, payment systems and data sources. 0.00 Jul/2021 0.00 (SWIS 22-Jan-2025 0.00 (A 22-Apr-2025 4.00 Dec/2026 architecture detailed design was analysis has completed, been ToRs for the conducted for procurement of the four the software programs that completed and will be hiring expected prioritized in by June 2025, SWIS, including complementary an assessment Social Safety Net programs work to of existing using the new information develop the gaps and the system (SWIS) (Number) social registry procedures planned to that should be start in March implemented 2025) through the new system. These elements have been incorporated into the terms of reference May 24, 2025 Page 5 of 18 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Kosovo Social Assistance System Reform Project (P171098) and the tender documentation for the company that will be contracted. Numerous meetings have also been held with all stakeholders representing the departments responsible for these specific modules.) Comments on Number of programs using the new information system (SWIS). All beneficiaries of the achieving targets program must be recorded in the SWIS in order for it to be considered using the new information system. 6.2 Intermediate Results Indicators by Components Component 1. Strengthening social protection delivery systems Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Closing Period Indicator Name Value Month/Year Value Date Value Date Value Month/Year May 24, 2025 Page 6 of 18 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Kosovo Social Assistance System Reform Project (P171098) MIS systems Jul/2021 SAS Pilot MIS 22-Jan-2025 1.Assessments 22-Apr-2025 At least two Dec/2026 not yet partially to inform the programs rely developed developed but architecture of on SRMS (SRMS and SRMS and SWIS SWIS were SWIS) not yet conducted and developed completed (SWIS 2.SWIS architecture architecture design was design was completed, completed ToRs for the 3.Terms of procurement of reference for the software the New management completed and procurement information systems (MIS) hiring expected of the are functional (Text) by June 2025, company also complementary completed. 4. work to Terms of develop the reference for social registry the local planned to expert are start in March completed. 5. 2025) Draft decision for the technical team is completed. Comments on New management information systems (MIS) are functional. This includes SWIS and SRMS achieving targets Payments Jul/2021 New payment 22-Jan-2025 New payment 22-Jan-2025 New payment Dec/2025 New payment system in made in cash system in place system in system place (Text) relying on place relying May 24, 2025 Page 7 of 18 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Kosovo Social Assistance System Reform Project (P171098) private banks on private adopted for to provide SAS banks to four programs benefits. The provide SAS use of post benefits. The offices was use of post discontinued. offices was Basic accounts discontinued. were Basic accounts introduced to were SAS introduced to beneficiaries SAS beneficiaries. Comments on New payment system in place that allows for payments made in forms other than cash achieving targets This indicator has been achieved There is no Jul/2021 The 22-Jan-2025 ● The 22-Apr-2025 Consultation Dec/2026 consultation Consultation Consultation plan for citizen plan for citizen Citizen Citizen engagement is engagement in Engagement Engagement monitored, place. Plan was Plan was including included in the included in the measuring the Consultation plan for citizen ESP Document ESP Document level of engagement developed, to be approved to be satisfaction implemented and monitored by the Bank. approved by with citizen (Text) Satisfaction in the Bank. engagement the process of Currently activities being collected there are 150 undertaken as and analyzed questionnaires part of the for pilot for the project. beneficiaries, accepted rejected applicants’ May 24, 2025 Page 8 of 18 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Kosovo Social Assistance System Reform Project (P171098) applicants and group ● 100 SAS questionnaires beneficiaries. for the Project Rejected organized applicants’ sessions in all 7 group were regions of conducted ● Kosovo to 50 inform citizens questionnaires about the for the Existing social SAS assistance beneficiaries reform. There group also were more conducted. than three Also, 300 press additional conferences surveys taking held, there place and 7 were meetings focus groups with non- took place. majority Organized communities, sessions in all trainings for 7 regions of CSW to deal Kosovo to with citizens inform citizens engagement to about the the project, social help desk assistance established, reform. There virtual groups were more and a than three May 24, 2025 Page 9 of 18 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Kosovo Social Assistance System Reform Project (P171098) complaint press mechanism conferences created. held, there were meetings with non- majority communities, trainings for CSW to deal with citizens engagement to the project, help desk established, virtual groups and a complaint mechanism created. Comments on Citizen engagement strategy developed, implemented and monitored achieving targets CSW staff trained on new 0.00 Jul/2021 100 22-Jan-2025 100 22-Apr-2025 80.00 Dec/2026 targeting, enrollment or Comments on Share of CSW staff trained on new targeting, enrollment or payment procedures. This payment procedures achieving targets indicator has been achieved. (Percentage) Program relies Jul/2021 No for SAS Yes 22-Jan-2025 No for SAS Yes, 22-Apr-2025 New poverty Feb/2024 on categorial for SAS pilot for SAS pilot At test New poverty test to identify targeting the moment, implemented SAS beneficiaries in place the Ministry (Text) has selected 3,000 families May 24, 2025 Page 10 of 18 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Kosovo Social Assistance System Reform Project (P171098) who have passed both the financial means and asset tests and are current SAS beneficiaries, to visit and assess whether they meet the criteria to be included in the pilot. From a total of 18,339 families assessed, 16,466 successfully passed both tests. These families were then distributed across the relevant municipalities. Profiling instrument for SAS No Jul/2021 This will be 22-Jan-2025 No 22-Apr-2025 Yes Jul/2025 beneficiaries to determine achieved needs for social and through a new May 24, 2025 Page 11 of 18 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Kosovo Social Assistance System Reform Project (P171098) activation services developed GIZ-financed and used (Yes/No) project that will be implemented by the end of the year. The project’s name is Reduction of Administrative Burden. This project foresees that for each scheme we will be able to distinguish the beneficiaries regarding how far away from the labour market are they. Comments on The development of profiling tool for informing employment services is underway achieving targets 5.00 Jul/2021 By 8 January in 21-Jan-2025 44% 22-Apr-2025 10.00 Dec/2026 total we had SAS beneficiaries registered 1,239 at the employment agency registered that are female jobseekers in (Percentage) the employment May 24, 2025 Page 12 of 18 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Kosovo Social Assistance System Reform Project (P171098) offices. Of these XXX were women. SAS beneficiaries 0.00 Aug/2021 0 21-Jan-2025 0 22-Apr-2025 1,000.00 Dec/2026 (individuals) that participate Comments on Number of SAS beneficiaries (individuals) that participate in activation measures specified in in activation measures achieving targets the new Activation Manual. specified in the new Activation Manual (Number) Female SAS 0.00 Aug/2021 0.00 22-Jan-2025 0 22-Apr-2025 300.00 Dec/2026 beneficiaries that Comments on Number of SAS beneficiaries that participate in activation measures specified in the new participate in activation achieving targets Activation Manual that are female. measures specified in the new Activation Manual (Number) Component 2: Improving the performance of the Social Assistance Scheme Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Closing Period Indicator Name Value Month/Year Value Date Value Date Value Month/Year Benefit Jul/2021 The new 22-Jan-2025 The new 22-Apr-2025 Benefit Dec/2024 formula in benefit formula benefit formula in place provides is in place, formula is in place has a low relative using the OECD place, using increased the Improved adequacy of the benefit equivalence the OECD relative SAS benefit for households amount for scales, and equivalence benefit with four or more members families with used by the scales, and amount for (Text) four or more SAS pilot and used by the households members. the average SAS pilot and with four or payment for the average more households payment for members. with four or households May 24, 2025 Page 13 of 18 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Kosovo Social Assistance System Reform Project (P171098) more members with four or of the SAS pilot more is XX% higher members of than in the the SAS pilot is regular SAS 15% higher program. than in the regular SAS program. Comments on Improved adequacy of SAS benefits achieving targets SAS relies on Jul/2021 The SAS still 22-Jan-2025 New SAS law 22-Apr-2025 SAS operates Dec/2023 2012 relies on 2012 was drafted based on new legislation legislation. The based on legislation new law has concept been drafted document and is adopted in scheduled to 2020 meaning complete that it sets internal eligibility New SAS legislation in place consultation in criteria based based on concept document February 2025 on the poverty adopted in 2020 (Text) and external status, consultation removing the March 2025. categorical The law is criteria as expected to be previously approved and envisioned. implemented by October 2025. Bylaws to be May 24, 2025 Page 14 of 18 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Kosovo Social Assistance System Reform Project (P171098) implemented latest 6 months after the approval of the law. Comments on The SAS legislation will (i) set out the eligibility criteria for the SAS, which will be based on achieving targets the poverty status of a household only (removing the categorical criteria), the duration of support, and the exit or recertification criteria and periodicity; (ii) te new benefit formula, by household size and including any income disregards to promote activation; and (iii) the basis for allowing the program to expand in response to shocks, which will set out in advance the procedures to be used to respond to future shocks through the SAS. 50.00 Aug/2021 The current 22-Jan-2025 33% 22-Apr-2025 55.00 Dec/2026 number of beneficiaries in the SAS pilot Individual SAS beneficiaries under the age aged 18 years or below of 18 is 5,149 (Percentage) individuals which is 33%. Comments on Share of individual SAS beneficiaries aged 18 years or below. All members from a household achieving targets benefiting from SAS are considered to be individual beneficiaries. This indicator will be removed as part of an ongoing restructuring. Component 3. Project implementation and management Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Closing Period Indicator Name Value Month/Year Value Date Value Date Value Month/Year Number of trainings or 0.00 Jul/2021 More than 20 22-Jan-2025 More than 20 22-Apr-2025 20.00 Dec/2026 knowledge sharing events trainings have trainings have financed by the project been been undertaken by CSW, MFLT, completed completed May 24, 2025 Page 15 of 18 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Kosovo Social Assistance System Reform Project (P171098) and the employment agency Comments on Number of trainings or knowledge sharing events financed by the project undertaken by CSW, staff (Number) achieving targets MFLT and employment agency staff. Training/events so far: launch event; CSW workshop; DSPF/PCU workshop to kick start the project and develop the activity plan and update the procurement plan. May 24, 2025 Page 16 of 18 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Kosovo Social Assistance System Reform Project (P171098) 7. DATA ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 7.1 Cumulative Disbursements 7.2 Disbursements (by loan) Loan/Credit/TF Status Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed IDA-69880 Effective 55.93 53.48 0.00 18.83 33.66 35.87% 7.3 Key Dates (by loan) Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Signing Effectiveness Orig. Closing Rev. Closing IDA-69880 Effective 29-Sep-2021 26-Oct-2021 27-Apr-2023 31-Dec-2026 31-Dec-2026 8. KEY DATES May 24, 2025 Page 17 of 18 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Kosovo Social Assistance System Reform Project (P171098) Key Events Planned Actual Approval 29-Sep-2021 29-Sep-2021 Effectiveness 27-Apr-2023 27-Apr-2023 Mid-Term Review No. 01 30-May-2025 22-May-2025 Operation Closing/Cancellation 31-Dec-2026 9. RESTRUCTURING HISTORY 10. ASSOCIATED OPERATION(S) There are no associated operations May 24, 2025 Page 18 of 18