Prishtina, January 30, 2024 - Save the Children Kosova/o today organized the launch event of the three-year project "Empowering the Vulnerable Communities of Kosovo through Better and Equal Access to the Labor Market" financed by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) with funds from the Austrian Development Cooperation. The project aims to empower girls and boys of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in 7 municipalities of Kosovo with knowledge, skills and opportunities to pass into adulthood and to have access to dignified and stable work.

Most of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in Kosovo live on the margins of society. More specifically, children and youth often struggle with high dropout rates, low educational attainment, and high unemployment rates. The reasons behind this situation are multiple: their stigmatization and discrimination in all spheres of life, poverty and limited economic opportunities, lack of self-confidence, early marriage of girls, learning difficulties and language barriers. These combined factors hinder the opportunities for girls and boys of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities to learn, develop their skills and secure decent work. Therefore, the activities of this project will aim to achieve these results: Poverty reduction through sustainable economic and social ecological development and peace and strengthening of the education system and Vocational Training Centers by putting the best interests of children and young people at the center.

"Our experience as Save the Children for decades in Kosovo shows us that development partners have a great influence to improve the lives of children. To achieve this, we have invested our expertise in inclusiveness at the pre-primary and primary education levels. Since 2012, this approach has enabled us to fulfill the right of many children from the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities to learn safely and without being discriminated against by peers, educators or teachers. As a result, today, with the support of the Austrian Development Agency, we have managed to expand our education and child protection program in 36 municipalities, supporting the same children through several types of services." - emphasized Ahmet Kryeziu, Executive Director of Save the Children Kosova/o.

The project will be implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the Municipal Directorates of Education, Syri i Vizionit and Nevo Koncepti, and the project will directly benefit 12,850 girls and boys from 13 lower secondary schools and 13 vocational schools in Kosovo.

Under the overarching theme "Breaking Barriers, Building the Future", this event served as a platform to bring together key actors, fostering collaboration and commitment to mark the beginning of a transformative journey towards empowering vulnerable communities in Kosovo.

"Save the Children Kosovo is launching this new project today in full compliance with the policies and vision of our Government for a comprehensive education with equal opportunities for all and for greater support for those who they need more. It is the duty of all of us to support with all our energies the empowerment of the girls and boys of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in 7 municipalities of Kosovo with the right knowledge and skills for a dignified and stable job and that they are prepared for their lives, for their families but also for our society." - emphasized Arbërie Nagavci, Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation.

While Mr. George Schnetzer, Ambassador of Austria in Kosovo emphasized that "I am more than sure that the partnership with local civil society organizations such as Syri i Vizioni in Pejë and Nevo Koncept in Prizren, with a lot of experience with the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities, will be a added value for this project. The launch of the project coincides with an important government event. The Ministry for Communities and Return recently approved the Strategy for the Advancement of the Rights of the Roma and Ashkali Communities in the Republic of Kosovo, the priority of which matches the goals of this project."

Occasional words at the closing event were given by: Mr. Ahmet Kryeziu, Executive Director of Save the Children Kosovo, Mr. Alex Brans, Director of Global Programs at Save the Children Switzerland, Mrs. Arberie Nagavci, Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. George Schnetzer, Ambassador of Austria in Kosovo, Mr. Veton Mujaj, Executive Director of Syri i Vizionit. While in the discussion panel called "Navigating obstacles: The role of education and professional training in promoting inclusive and sustainable employment" participated Ms. Nazan Safci, Head of the Division for Communities, Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Adnan Ahmeti, Education Portfolio Manager at the Austrian Development Agency in Kosovo, Mr. Samir Lleshi, Director of the Department for Regional Units, Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Xhelal Susuri, Director of SHMLT "March 11", Mr. Drita Kadriu, Director of the Municipal Directorate for Education, Mitrovica, and Mr. Osman Osmani, Executive Director of Nevo Koncepti.