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Author: WeBalkans

Young European Ambassadors at the International Youth Conference in North Macedonia

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Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) Amina Kaja and Adrijana Nikitović represented the YEA network at the International Youth Conference (IYC) in Kruševo, North Macedonia, from 29 September to 3 October. The theme of the conference was “European Values for the Future of the SEE Region”.  The main aim of the conference was to identify, promote and connect the most impactful young leaders from south-eastern Europe (SEE) for joint action focused on the region’s European future and its opportunities to have more responsible and more effective leadership.

 

The IYC consisted of panel sessions with speakers from many backgrounds – environmentalists, politicians, activists, novelists, diplomats, social entrepreneurs and more. Additionally, there were interactive round tables which aimed to gather input from SEE youth in order to create a blueprint of recommendations which will be shared with decision-makers.

YEA participate at the closing event of the “Block the Hatred, Share the Love” campaign

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This week Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) from Serbia, Adrijana Nikitović and Teodora Cekić, visited the 8 September elementary school in Pirot, as part of the Council of Europe’s “Block the Hatred, Share the Love” campaign. The YEAs had a chance to moderate a “Don’t hate” quiz there, teaching youngsters about human rights, diversity, gender equality and inclusion.

 

Tobias Flessenkemper, Head of Office at the Council of Europe in Belgrade, was also present at the event and said, “It is better to work together than to work on our own, or even worse against each other. It is better to solve problems in Europe together, and Europe is you. It is not me, it is you.”

 

This was the closing event of the “Block the Hatred, Share the Love” campaign against hate speech which was part of the initiative on promoting diversity and equality in Serbia, within the joint European Union and Council of Europe Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019-2022 programme.

Affordable medical ventilators for all

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A professor and a group of his students at the University of Pristina have developed a low-cost medical ventilator prototype with EU support.

Medical ventilators have made a significant contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping seriously ill patients in emergency rooms. By helping to push air in and out of the lungs so the body can get the oxygen it needs, ventilators can be lifesaving machines for those with a condition that makes it hard or impossible to breathe properly. A lack of access to ventilators triggered students and professors from the faculty of mechanical engineering at the University of Pristina in Kosovo to look for alternatives.

“There were models of medical ventilators available in the market, but their prices were very high: up to €40,000. We wanted to develop a machine that would allow patients in low-income countries to receive treatment in emergency situations like the COVID-19 pandemic.”

From idea to implementation

Professor Arbnor Pajaziti is an expert in the field of robotics, and head of the Mechatronics department at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Pristina. Professor Pajaziti and his team developed a prototype for a low-cost medical ventilator suitable for respiratory problems such as COVID-19, targeting lower-income countries. Apart from low cost, the product has also a patentable novelty: unlike most existing systems that force a breathing rhythm on a patient, this device allows the patient to trigger each breath sequence. “There were models of medical ventilators available in the market, but their prices were very high: up to €40,000. We wanted to develop a machine that would allow patients in low-income countries to receive treatment in emergency situations like the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Professor Pajaziti.

The work on the mechanical ventilator started at the very beginning of the pandemic. As he usually does at the beginning of the semester, the Professor had tasked his team of students to come up with ideas for development of prototypes. As there was a need for ventilators, almost unanimously the team decided that this was the device that they should work on urgently. Initially they conducted research and found out that the world is not really short of medical ventilators, but that their cost is very high and they are short of stock. The next stage was to work on the idea of a medical ventilator that could be produced at low cost and assembled quickly. In parallel, they worked to test it in a virtual environment. Professor Pajaziti explains that nowadays computer software is quite successful at testing mechanical engineering prototypes. “They come 95% close to a real prototype,” he says. Following successful software testing, his team had to move on to a physical prototype, but here they had a challenge – a lack of funds for purchasing parts and also of the expertise to patent the device.

“Without the support from EU4TECH POC, this project would be just another academic work on paper”

About the project

EU4TECH PoC Western Balkans was a two-year multi-country Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) project funded by the EU through the Western Balkans Enterprise and Development Innovation Facility (WBEDIF). The project covered the six economies of the Western Balkans region. Projects supported originated from public research organisations and start-ups/ small and medium-sized enterprises.

WBEDIF is one of the private sector instruments supported by the Western Balkans Investment Framework – a joint initiative of the EU, financial organisations, bilateral donors and beneficiaries, aimed at enhancing harmonisation and cooperation in investments for the socio-economic development of the region and contributing to the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

The WBIF is the main vehicle for implementation of the EU’s ambitious Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans. Enhancing the competitiveness of the private sector, and stepping up support to research and innovation is at the heart of the Plan.

At that time the EU-funded EU4TECH Proof of Concept (PoC) project had launched a call for proposals for funding the development of innovative ideas across the Western Balkans. As Professor Pajaziti was already familiar with the project, he decided to gather the documentation and apply for support. The attempt was successful and they were one of the first teams selected under the proof of concept scheme to qualify for prototyping support.

EU4TECH PoC has supported the project to acquire the bare minimum of hardware needed to prove the underlying concept, draft a professional English-language patent application based on a comprehensive prior art search, and investigate the regulatory landscape for the device. “Without the support from EU4TECH PoC, this project would be just another academic work on paper,” says Professor Pajaziti.

With the Proof of Concept scheme coming to an end, the mechanical ventilator project needs to find further support to continue. This could take the form of a grant (around €50,000) to purchase the hardware and develop associated software needed to take this from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 to TRL4. Certification would then be needed before it could be tested in the University of Pristina Clinic. In the longer term, the project will need to identify an industrial partner to turn the prototype into a fully-certified product.

Professor Pajaziti explains that his students are eager to contribute further to this and other similar projects. “With the proper funding and support, we can contribute significantly to our community and humanity,” he says.

YEAs contribute to the Block the Hatred, Share the Love campaign in Serbia

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On 23 September, Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) from Serbia, Adrijana Nikitović, Andja Stanojković and Teodora Cekić visited the Radoje Domanović elementary school in Niš, as a part of the Council of Europe Block the Hatred, Share the Love campaign. YEAs had a chance to moderate a quiz titled “Don’t hate” that aims to teach youngsters about human rights, diversity, gender equality and inclusion.

 

After the quiz, YEAs attended a “Block the Hatred, Share the Love” exhibition of artwork on topics such as tolerance and acceptance. The aim of the exhibition was to create space for pupils to express their creativity and attitudes about hate speech and other kinds of discrimination.

YEAs participate in “Sve počinje Izborom” in Bosnia and Herzegovina

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On 28 September, Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) from Bosnia and Herzegovina participated in three street actions in Banja Luka, Mostar and Sarajevo that were organised under the EU Delegation “Sve počinje Izborom” campaign which aims to motivate people to vote in the elections on 2 October.

 

During these street actions, YEAs had the opportunity to talk with residents of these cities about their expectations from the elections, but also about the forms of political participation. Together with EU officials, they also started a clock that marked the number of minutes until the start of the elections.

  YEAs who participated in these activities included Anastasija Katić in Banja Luka, Ena Porča and Hadžera Selimović in Mostar, and Nejra Gurbeta and Šerif Salihović in Sarajevo. YEAs said that they were very proud to be part of this campaign, and that they were happy to see that many people were interested in the action, mentioning the importance of youth participation in the elections.

YEAs from Kosovo meet the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Jan Lipavský

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On 29 September, Young European Ambassadors  (YEAs) from Kosovo, Agnesa Jashari, Albin Bushi, Aulon Curri, Desantila Muriqi, Fatbardh Kabashi, Suhel Ahmeti, and Shpëtim Ramadani, met the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Jan Lipavský in Pristina.

 

Three Czech parliamentarians, members of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic (Committee on Foreign Affairs) were also present.  The YEAs had the chance to share information about their network as well as to learn and discuss topics from a youth perspective on topics such as Czech EU-Chairmanship priorities for the Western Balkans and the vision for youth engagement, Kosovo’s EU future, and visa liberalisation.

 

The YEAs also shared their views and asked questions regarding topics such as regional cooperation, the energy crisis, the EU Green agenda, the ICT sector in Kosovo, entrepreneurship, freedom of movement and education opportunities.  The YEAs said they were very satisfied with the opportunity to be the voice of the youth of Kosovo and the Western Balkans in a meeting of such importance.

Montenegro joins the European Migration Network as an Observer Country

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The European Commission and Montenegro’s Ministry of the Interior have signed an Administrative Arrangement to collaborate in the European Migration Network (EMN), thus making Montenegro an Observer Country in the network.

 

The Arrangement requires both parties to exchange up-to-date, objective, reliable and comparable information on the asylum and migration situation in Montenegro and in the EU Member States. The Administrative Arrangement is thus an important step towards reinforced cooperation between the Member States and Montenegro.

 

The goal of the European Migration Network is to meet the information needs of Union institutions and of Member States’ authorities and institutions on migration and asylum, with a view to supporting policymaking in the European Union in these areas. Montenegro will contribute to EMN objectives by attending all meetings and contributing to studies and reports.

 

The signature took place in the margins of the meeting between Olivier Onidi, Deputy Director-General for Migration and Home Affairs, and Filip Adžić, Montenegro’s Interior Minister.

EU provides homes for displaced and socially vulnerable families in Kosovo

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There are 34 families who have lived in the Padalište/Padallishte collective centre in Gračanica/Graçanicë municipality in Kosovo for more than 20 years. Now the EU-funded construction of two new apartment buildings has entered its second phase, and families are expected to move in September 2023.

 

In addition to the construction of the two new buildings in Suvi Do/Suhadoll village, the EU’s project providing housing to displaced and socially vulnerable families in Gračanica/Graçanicë worth €2.5 million has already completed the renovation of 22 apartments, and will therefore improve the lives of 56 families in total.

 

The project is being implemented in cooperation with Gračanica/Graçanicë Municipality and Kosovo’s Ministry for Communities and Return, which is contributing an additional €100,000 towards the construction works.

 

Since 2002, the EU in Kosovo has invested more than €77 million to support return and reintegration processes and improve the livelihoods of non-majority communities. More specifically, from 2016 to 2022, the EU invested €6 million in the construction of social housing to provide accommodation for displaced persons living in collective centres in Štrpce/Shtërpcë and Gračanica/Graçanicë municipalities.

Albania’s primary school children to benefit from a new joint project between the EU and the Ministry of Education

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On 27 September, EU Ambassador Christiane Hohmann and Minister of Education and Sports, Evis Kushi, launched the two-year “EU for Inclusive Education” project at the Institute of Deaf Students in Tirana. The project will help improve education quality and access to the system of primary education in Albania.   
The project will introduce modern competence-based learning and inclusive education methods via new curricula, training for teachers, and support to psychosocial services in schools. In addition, the project will assist two schools for hearing-impaired and visually-impaired children to become national resource centres.    
“Investing in children is investing in our future. The EU is already rebuilding 60 earthquake-hit schools in Albania, and today I am proud to launch this initiative with the Ministry of Education and Sports to provide 135,000 primary school children in grades 1-5 in Albania with modern, inclusive and competency-based education. This includes training for teachers, and national resource centres for deaf or blind children. Our goal is clear: to give Albanian children the best opportunities for their future.” said EU Ambassador to Albania, Christiane Hohmann.
  Included in the 135,000 children who will benefit from the project are over 130 students attending the schools for hearing-impaired and visually-impaired children.

Traditional outfits for modern Kosovan weddings

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An EU-funded project helps revive traditional crafts.

Janissaries were an elite infantry unit that formed the Ottoman Sultan’s household troops. They were known for their strict discipline, order and fierceness and courage in battle. They were recognised also by their outfit known as the kaftan dolama. A dolama was a unisex knee-length or upper-calf-length robe that was closely fitted through the waist, with narrow skirts and full-length, generously wide sleeves. The word dolama, literally “wrapping,” is an adjective that indicates that the garment was intended to be worn on the outside of an outfit.

 

Over the following centuries, the dolama became an outfit worn not only by janissaries but also by other people, in particular by rich women. However, even among the wealthy, the dolama was a utilitarian garment. Throughout history, the dolama became important for many other communities as part of clothes for special occasions throughout the former territories of the Ottoman empire, including the Western Balkans.

 

In Kosovo, the dolama has retained its splendour and significance, and in certain regions, weddings are unthinkable without this special garment. Today it is worn by young brides and women, in as many variations as there are communities living in Kosovo.

 “There was a time when traditional outfits were almost totally forgotten. Somehow, young people modernised and were no longer wearing traditional dress such as dolamas at their weddings. With the passing of time, the traditional outfit returned to wedding fashion. Nowadays, young girls are also combining it with skirts: the dolama is becoming modernised.”

In Prizren dolamas that are hand-made are in high demand as opposed to machine manufactured versions. It takes weeks – and of course, a lot of attention and love – to make one piece, and the beautiful handmade creations sell for up to €2,000. The technique of making a dolama is unique and is not taught in schools or in any other formal institution. As a result, the craft was at risk of being forgotten, despite the significant market demand.

For this reason, an NGO from Prizren called “Ec ma ndryshe” has started working on keeping the tradition alive, helping those that wish to save and revitalise traditions but with a modern twist. With EU support, they have organised training to teach women the handmade production of dolamas.

Sebahate Kabashi is an experienced dolama craftswomen, who has been training other women on dolamaproduction.  “There was a time when traditional outfits were almost totally forgotten. Somehow, young people modernised and were no longer wearing traditional dress such as dolamas at their weddings. With the passing of time, the traditional outfit returned to wedding fashion. Nowadays, young girls are also combining it with skirts: the dolama is becoming modernised,” she says.

“I knew that after finishing this training I would get some work, but I never thought that the orders would start to come so fast.”

About the project

The training was conducted as part of the “Women and youth for community development and cultural heritage” project, implemented by the “Ec Ma Ndryshe” NGO. The project is implemented with the support of the financial grant provided by the “Cultural Heritage as a Driver for Intercommunity Dialogue and Social Cohesion” project funded by the European Union’s Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) and implemented by UNDP Kosovo.

Course participants say this is a great opportunity to learn this skill. For them, this is a step forward in life, because by using their talent, they can earn an income and help their families. One of the participants is 30-year-old Mirlinda. She says that tradition has always been important, but that the economic factor is also important in making dolama.  “This craft is profitable, and it gives an opportunity to work from home, which is important for us housewives. It is also very much in demand in the municipality of Prizren,” she says.

The trainer, Sebahate, adds that many of the trainees started to work while they were still attending the course. One of these successful trainees is Qamile Bytyqi. Following the end of the training she published her work on Facebook and Instagram and orders started to come immediately. “I knew that after finishing this training I would get some work, but I never thought that the orders would start to come so fast,” she says.