CONEX is a regional project, which is being implemented in six Balkan countries. With a combination of humanitarian and long-term development activities it has been designed to support target groups to transition from relief to recovery and onwards to development. The intervention intends to reach the marginalized groups of people in the targeted communities that have suffered the most during the Covid-19 crisis, namely the elderly, unemployed women, minorities, refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and people with disabilities. The key issues the intervention is addressing revolve around lack of food, medication and other essential supplies, deterioration of economic conditions as well as isolation and the lack of access to social services. The project does not only provide immediate relief to the Covid-19 crisis, but also lays the foundations for longer-term benefits regarding the resilience to the pandemic. This is being done through different sets of activities in the target communities that are intertwined and mutually reinforcing like for example: cash for work activities which will foster solidarity within local communities, home care support which will enable older persons to have better access to social services and medical care, and training and mentoring opportunities aimed at supporting long-term unemployed women to gain self-confidence and contribute to their family income. The intention is also to raise the awareness of relevant stakeholders on issues of discrimination and regarding the impact of the crisis on marginalized groups by advocating for measures to improve the current situation.

The CONEX Consortium operates in Albania, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, under the lead of Caritas Austria.

In Kosovo the project is implemented by Caritas Kosova, in partnership with Mother Teresa Society.

Project is supported by: Austrian Development Cooperation, Caritas Austria, Care, Diakonie ACT Austria, Austrian Red Cross