Kosovo’s first municipal financial aid programme for domestic violence survivors tackles economic dependency by providing direct monthly support to promote long-term safety and independence.
BREAKING THE CYCLE OF ECONOMIC ABUSE
Survivors of domestic violence often face overwhelming financial hardship after escaping abusive relationships. Without stable income, housing, or childcare, many are forced to return to unsafe environments. In Kosovo, where sustainable financial support systems have been lacking, economic vulnerability has remained a key barrier to survivor autonomy and reintegration into society.
A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND MUNICIPAL RESPONSE
This initiative introduces direct financial assistance of €500 per month for survivors, covering critical needs like rent, food, and childcare. As the first programme of its kind at the municipal level in Kosovo, it goes beyond emergency shelter support by addressing the long-term impacts of economic abuse. The initiative empowers survivors to make independent decisions and rebuild their lives with dignity and security.
REDEFINING PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY
By institutionalising this support, the project shifts how gender-based violence is addressed—recognising that true empowerment requires sustained economic stability. It challenges traditional notions of victim protection, positioning financial independence as essential to long-term recovery. This model sets a powerful precedent for other municipalities and reimagines the role of local governments in preventing and responding to domestic violence.
