When the kindergarten doors in Rufcë i Ri village opened in 2023, they symbolized more than a new building. For many families in Lipjan, with a population of several hundred thousand, the kindergarten’s opening marked the beginning of change in education, community life, and opportunities for women.
For decades, parents in Rufcë i Ri village and surrounding villages had no access to a nearby public childcare. Many simply kept their children at home, while others made exhausting daily trips to Lipjan town. “Most families didn’t send their children anywhere,” recalls Rasim Hasani, Director of Education in Lipjan.
When the kindergarten opened in 2023, the reaction has been extremely positive.
The municipality, with support from the Municipal Performance Grant co-financed by the European Union, Switzerland, and Sweden, and implemented by Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, decided to change this reality.
“The Performance Grant did its part, and at the same time the municipality was already committed to building the kindergarten,” Hasani explained.
The Municipality of Lipjan, though relatively small in Kosovo, has successfully secured the Municipal Performance Grant very often, implementing a total of 37 infrastructure projects since 2018 that have significantly improved the lives of its citizens.
“The Kindergarten project has been one of the most important projects we’ve done in recent years,” said Director of Urban Planning, Sead Aliu. “The inauguration took place in 2023 and was very well received by citizens. The kindergarten was completed thanks to a joint investment from the Municipal Performance Grant and the municipality, showing how shared commitment can turn local priorities into lasting results. Director Aliu said, adding that the kindergarten project in Rufcë i Ri village was one of the most effective they’ve implemented through the support from the Municipal Performance Grant.
A Small Change with a Big Difference for Women
Today, the kindergarten welcomes nearly 80 children, with space for up to 100. Families come not only from the Rufcë i Ri village, but from 11 neighboring villages, including the Old Rufc village, New Hallaq, Ribari and Dobrajë.
Educator Selvete Bajrami from Lipjan, who also serves as the kindergarten’s coordinator, remembers the early days and challenges. “At first, we started with just two teachers and a handful of children. Now we have 80 children under our care, and parents are still lining up. The need for this kindergarten was not just big, it was urgent.”
The kindergarten has been carefully structured to meet different stages of early childhood, with four age groups ranging from one to five years. Importantly, it is also affordable: the participation fee is just €30 per month, with exceptions for families in need. The first 6 months parents paid nothing, a deliberate incentive to encourage enrollment and adaptation.
For many mothers, kindergarten has been life-changing. With their children in safe hands, they have been able to re-enter the workforce, pursue jobs, or simply find a rhythm in daily life that had long been out of reach.
“More than 20 mothers have already started working after enrolling their children here,” said Bajrami.
“As soon as the kindergarten opened, the interest was overwhelming. Parents told me: ‘We cannot manage our lives without this. We need a place for our children so we can work.”, she added.
This ripple effect is profound. The kindergarten is not only shaping the learning of children but also expanding opportunities for women and strengthening family economies.
“It has had an extraordinary impact, not only because of its location and the scale of the investment, but also because of the excellent conditions it offers for accommodating children. Its importance is immense, particularly in providing early childhood education. We believe that by starting with kindergartens, we will raise more attentive, more developed students in the future. At the same time, it gives mothers the chance to work, making life easier for families. And finally, the participation fee is very low, making it accessible to everyone.”, said Rasim Hasani director of Education in Lipjan.
For children, the change is immediate and visible, as the educated take care, nurture them and help them learn and grow.
“This kindergarten has changed everything for us as a community.”, says educator Selvete Bajrami.
About the Municipal Performance Grant
The Municipal Performance Grant is a performance-based funding mechanism designed to reward municipalities in Kosovo that demonstrate good governance, transparency, and effective service delivery. Municipalities that meet specific criteria, such as efficient financial management, inclusive decision-making, and capital investment planning, qualify for additional funds that they can use for projects most needed by their citizens.
Since its launch more than a decade ago, the Municipal Performance Grant has enabled municipalities to invest in infrastructure, education, water supply, roads, and community facilities. Lipjan is considered one of the pioneer municipalities in making use of the grant, consistently securing funds by maintaining high standards of performance.
