A total of 556 beneficiaries have been selected under the Investment Grant Scheme -LOT 1 as part of the project "Support for Sustainable Development of the Agricultural Sector in Rural Areas through Diversification of Activities," implemented jointly by the Government of Kosovo and the German Government through GIZ.

The beneficiaries were announced at a ceremony attended by Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, German Ambassador to Kosovo Rainer Rudolph, and Acting Minister of Agriculture Armend Muja.

Kurti said the partnership with GIZ and the European Union is strengthening Kosovo's capacity to manage European funds in line with the highest standards of transparency, accountability and efficiency.

"With the support of GIZ and the European Union, we are strengthening our institutional capacities so that Kosovo can manage European funds according to the highest standards of transparency, accountability and efficiency. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, the German Embassy, and GIZ, who have been reliable partners of the Republic of Kosovo for many years," Kurti said.

He added that the grants are intended to help businesses grow and create new jobs.

"Today, the state is investing in you because it believes in your potential and commitment. We expect this trust to translate into quality investments, stronger businesses, new jobs, and success stories that will inspire others," he said.

Kurti noted that during the past five years, the government has allocated more than €305 million in direct support to around 150,000 beneficiaries, adding that agriculture accounts for 7.3 percent of Kosovo's gross domestic product.

German Ambassador Rainer Rudolph said the grants would boost production and productivity while contributing to the development of Kosovo's rural economy.

"For the first time, the Government of Kosovo has joined German cooperation with its own funds by financing rural initiatives on a large scale. This joint investment demonstrates our commitment to supporting rural communities, strengthening local economies, and creating opportunities for rural residents," Rudolph said.

Acting Agriculture Minister Armend Muja said the program attracted strong interest, with 915 applications submitted. Following what he described as a transparent and merit-based selection process, 556 beneficiaries were chosen from municipalities across Kosovo.

According to Muja, individual grants of up to €5,000 will support investments in agrotourism, beekeeping, agricultural product processing, the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants, aquaculture, homestead farming and other innovative rural activities.

He added that the program also promotes equality, equal access, and inclusiveness in government support schemes.