Since achieving independence in 2008, Kosovo has faced the challenge of establishing a system for enforcing legal agreements and court decisions that are necessary to stimulate domestic economic growth and foreign investment. In particular, the responsibility given to municipal court judges for executing utility bills and other minor claims has left the courts with large backlogs of civil cases and diverted resources from protecting the contract and property rights of citizens and businesses. Under a subcontract with Checchi & Co Consulting, USAID's implementing partner for the Systems for Enforcing Agreements and Decisions (SEAD Program) in Kosovo, EWMI is working to develop and implement an effective system for alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in Kosovo that is consistent with international standards. A system allowing disputes to be referred to arbitration and mediation could yield more timely resolution of claims and could provide relief to the courts.