The European Union and the Government of Kosovo awarded in Pristina 45 new scholarships for Master’s degree studies in the EU to the current and future civil servants from Kosovo. This is the 13^th round of scholarships awarded under a joint Young Cell Scheme programme that aims to improve the work of public administration and the services it provides to all people living in Kosovo.

“Education is key to advancing Kosovo’s development in all spheres of life, including its EU integration path. I am happy to see that the number of young people benefiting from our Master’s scholarship programme is increasing year after year and that by working as civil servants, they are bringing about the positive change in the way Kosovo’s public administration functions,” said the EU Ambassador in Kosovo, Tomas Szunyog.

The EU started supporting the masters-level education of civil servants in Kosovo in 2004. Since then, through the previous 12 rounds of scholarships, 364 civil servants were educated in areas deemed most necessary by the Government. The EU’s total contribution to the Young Cell Scheme programme will amount to  €15.3 million, including the 13^th, 14^th and 15^th rounds of scholarships to be completed by 2026. A total of 470 young people should benefit.

Kosovo Government started co-funding the programme in 2011 and supports rounds 12 to 15 with  €2.5 million.