The Council of Europe through its joint European Union and Council of Europe “Project against Economic Crime in Kosovo” (PECK III) is promoting the development of sustainable capacities of the Kosovo Institute for Public Administration (KIPA) to conduct future training for public officials on whistleblower protection.

In this regard, the Council of Europe organised a peer-to-peer training on protection of whistleblowers in partnership with KIPA which took place from 28 to 31 March 2022.

The event gathered more than 50 public officials from central and local level public institutions including the Anti-Corruption Agency, the Assembly, Basic Court of Pristina, Kosovo Academy for Public Safety, different ministries (such as those for communities and returns, culture, defence, diaspora, economy, education, science, technology and innovation, environment and spatial planning, finance, foreign affairs, internal affairs, justice, regional development, trade and industry) as well as officials of 15 municipalities.

The training of trainers served to enhance the knowledge of trainees on whistleblowing procedures and mechanisms in line with the international standards and domestic legislation including the landmark cases of the European Court of Human Rights. Through individual presentations, KIPA local trainers had the opportunity to practice their knowledge and skills acquired through the training of trainers’ programme and complemented by the Training Manual on whistleblower protection.

The activities were organised within the framework of the joint “Project against Economic Crime in Kosovo” (PECK III) funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the latter.