USAID/JSSP is a five-year rule of law activity that builds upon USAID’s prior efforts to advance the rule of law in Kosovo and ensure that the justice system operates in a professional, efficient, and accountable manner. The program focuses on promoting a judicial system that adheres to high standards of independence, impartiality, integrity, accountability, and transparency, and on supporting the functioning and integration of judicial structures in the north of Kosovo. 

Strengthen efficiency and effectiveness in the administration of justice and the delivery of quality services Through USAID, the Justice System Strengthening Program (JSSP) assists the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) and Kosovo’s courts in consolidating gains in efficiency and management at the court level. This is accomplished by facilitating the decentralization of administrative competencies and institutionalizing systems and tools for effective court and case management. Activities under this objective reduce case backlog and procedural obstacles to court efficiency and effectiveness. 

Enhance the accountability and professionalism of the justice system JSSP works closely with the KJC, judges, and court staff in building capacity to deliver justice professionally and efficiently. It also promotes continuing education and public integrity initiatives as the foundation for a judiciary that is accessible, credible, and effective. 

Support the functioning and the integration of judicial structures in the North JSSP supports the KJC and courts in activating judicial structures in northern Kosovo based on the Justice Sector Agreement signed by Kosovo and Serbia in 2015. This agreement provides for the integration of institutions, court operations, and judicial resources in the north. JSSP also assists individual courts in the region with case inventories and transfers, backlog reduction, case management, and capacity-building for judges and court staff.