The overall objective of the project is to support the Government of Kosovo in building a professional civil service at all levels for more efficient and effective implementation of the EU integration process. The specific objective is to support the Kosovan public administration through a scholarship programme that aims at improving the professional capacity of the civil service to meet the obligations arising from the EU integration process.

The project activities are organised around 3 components

Component 1: Take-over and management of Round VI (45 students)

- Ensuring the appropriate English language training for all grantees leading to the IELTS examination

- Managing the GoK internship period for the grantees undergoing such training

- Ensuring visa application procedures

- Providing guidance on and finalising the students' application to EU universities and agreeing with the universities about their placement and programmes (in line with fields of specialisation defined with GoK)

- Ensuring financial management of the grants and payment of tuition fees, living allowance and other costs

- Ensuring the help-desk function and assistance to the students, liaison with host universities and visits on-site

Component 2: Readjusting the scheme's structure and organising Round VII (60 students)

- Establishing a visibility strategy, a timetable for the selections of Round VII, and an updated draft of the selection rules

- Reviewing the rules for selection (adequate orientation of the applicants by specific sectors of specialisations, reserving scholarships for civil servants and managing specific programmes) and ensuring that they are transparent, fair and non-discriminatory

- Advertising the YCS and targeting women and minorities, and  constituting an international selection panel

- Organising and carrying out a 3 stage selection process

- Providing assistance to applicants and grantees (help-desk functions)

- Ensuring coordination with other donors providing scholarships to Kosovan students

Component 3: Institutionalisation of the management of the scholarship programme

- On-the-job training for ACDEI staff in order for ACDEI to take over the management of future YCS schemes

- Proposing new approaches to employ YCS graduates and setting up the alumni association