Following successful completion of the first round of internships, USAID’s REPOWER-Kosovo Project launched round two in partnership with the University of Prishtina and RIT Kosovo (American University in Kosovo). Out of almost 90 applicants, twelve students from University of Prishtina and four from RIT Kosovo were selected through a transparent and competitive process. They were then placed at the Energy Regulatory Office (ERO), Kosovo Transmission, System and Market Operator (KOSTT), and Kosovo Energy Corporation for their internships from October 2016 - March 2017.

USAID’s REPOWER-Kosovo internship program provides future energy sector professionals with the opportunity to become more familiar with the business processes within key energy sector institutions.  The program also helps to ensure that the expertise of these institutions is carried over to a new generation of professionals. Initiatives like this are critical, as increasing the attractiveness of the sector to young engineers and other professionals is key to the sustainable development of Kosovo’s energy sector.

USAID is particularly pleased that 50% of the participants in this internship round are women, which is remarkable given that the Kosovo energy sector has traditionally been dominated by men.  This demonstrates the gender-sensitive approach integrated into REPOWER’s programming and its commitment to raise the visibility of, and opportunities for, women in the energy sector.