One click closer: Challenging stereotypes and unleashing creativity
In today’s digital world, mastering digital skills is no longer a luxury. Digital skills can bridge gaps, unlock opportunities, and challenge deep-rooted prejudices.
Consider a young Roma living in the Western Balkans, typically facing barriers to employment and most likely Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET). According to the 2017 UNDP Roma Survey, NEET rates among Roma range from 73% to 86%, with rates for Romani women reaching as high as 93% in some areas.
Addressing Roma youth unemployment requires integrated solutions, and digital skills are key. With access to digital training, Roma youth can gain valuable skills in digital marketing, coding, or data analysis, unleashing entrepreneurial talent and growing their businesses. This shift can switch the narrative from one of exclusion to inclusion, and from prejudice to opportunities.
The EU-funded, UNDP-implemented Regional Returnee Reintegration Project (RRR) in Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia works with partners and returnees to highlight the importance of digital inclusion and invest in digital training programmes tailored to returnees’ and Roma’s needs. These initiatives have equipped Roma and returnees with essential digital skills, contributing to a more equitable and just society.
Digital skills also foster innovation and creativity, long present in Roma communities. With digital skills, young Roma can showcase their talents globally, through social media, online businesses, or digital storytelling.
This is the story of Doan Uzeiroski from Prilep, North Macedonia, who completed his digital training with the EU-funded, UNDP-implemented Regional Returnee Reintegration Project several months ago. He is now one of 145 young Roma and returnees training in partner municipalities in North Macedonia who have completed the course.
Doan’s eyes sparkle when he talks about his life dream.
“I am so proud of finishing the digital training course and now plan to use the skills I learned to develop my YouTube channel. Later, I want to open my own barber shop, create my own logo and website, shoot my stylist sessions, and promote myself that way. The digital world is so huge and full of opportunities. I have just started, but I feel confident that I can find my ‘digital spot’ in it!”
Doan Uzeiroski, Prilep – North Macedonia
Digital transformation is also changing societies, often moving government services online. In Albania, the RRR project is helping bridge the digital gap for vulnerable returnees in rural communities. With the EU and UNDP support, and in partnership with the Albanian National Agency for Employment and Skills (NAES), 195 young Roma and Egyptians have completed training in digital skills, enhancing their employability, and also helping their communities.
This brought me to the construction site of University of Pristina’s newest facility – the all-improved Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Located in the Technical Faculty Zone, this EU-funded project aims to promote inclusivity, increase the quality of education through modern infrastructure and push both students and academic staff towards research-based teaching and learning. This is incredibly important since Kosovo’s youth largely have their sights set on studying abroad. So our new Faculty is just one of many steps towards ensuring a fulfilling academic life for students in their home country.
The project is implemented by UNOPS, and the warm welcome from their team made my visit even more enjoyable! Joined by the EU Ambassador to Kosovo, Tomáš Szunyog, and University of Pristina’s Rector, Qerim Qerimi, the UNOPS team gave me a tour and detailed how the facility will look in just a couple of months. Picture this – a huge 4-storey building with a gorgeous, green, bustling outdoor area for both students and the local community, state-of-the-art amphitheaters and classrooms full of chatter, breastfeeding rooms for students and faculty members, offices with glass walls ensuring a warm atmosphere and social nooks and crannies on every floor for after-class relaxation. Makes you want to join, doesn’t it? Ambassador Szunyog put it perfectly, “The EU’s investment in this project is not just about building infrastructure; it is about building a brighter, knowledge-based future for Kosovo.” The future truly does look brighter, and I’m suddenly jealous I chose to study medicine and not math.
This project, funded by a EUR 8.9 million grant from the EU with an additional EUR 5 million from the University of Pristina, will serve over 2,300 students and 133 staff members in the departments of physics, chemistry, biology, math and geography. The specific objective is the construction of accessible, inclusive, safe and environmentally-friendly premises for everyone, all while contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals. As such, through improving quality standards in higher education, the EU is directly supporting future Kosovar scientists and researchers.
With Kosovo’s population proudly boasting 55% of people under 30 years of age, such a faculty is more than necessary. You never know where you’ll meet a new Marie Curie or Thomas Edison, and such opportunities open doors to all who wish to explore the wonders of science – giving them a shot at finding themselves and exceling in their fields. Science has the power to bring communities together, and finding common ground has never been more important – or easy – than now. With the world in disarray, it truly is up to the youth to make a change, and we STEM nerds can’t leave everything up to the social scientists, can we?
With a total investment of EUR 85 million in Kosovo’s education system from 2007 to 2022, the EU is the largest provider of financial assistance in Kosovo. These investments are intended to improve opportunities for students and teachers, bring Kosovo’s education system up to EU standards, and stimulate economic development and job creation. Through it’s support, the EU is committed to contributing to a higher quality and more inclusive education system in Kosovo.
Positive notes and reflection of Ms Popa’s work
Over a very casual coffee with Ms Popa, we had a chance to hear about so many significant events that the Ambassador took part in. Many NGO representatives expressed their gratitude to Ms Popa for her continuous support of their work. The Ambassador also highlighted the importance of the various events, organised by Montenegrin NGOs, that have happened over the years, and we talked about the role of NGOs in the negotiation process. The Ambassador shared with us that the Women’s 8th of March Marche was her favourite (our fave as well).
A tennis lover
Ms Popa spoke about maintaining a good work-life balance —something we so strongly strive to achieve in modern times. The Ambassador shared with us that the tennis lover community was the first to welcome her to Montenegro four years ago and that over that time, they have become friends for life. She explained that tennis was an escape of sorts from her formal and demanding diplomatic activities. It was a perfect activity, beneficial for mental and physical health at the same time. We were all reminded of how important it is to always take care of ourselves, despite out tight schedules.
Boka Bay fan
Ms. Popa and we two YEAs share many similarities. Love for the Boka bay is certainly one worth mentioning. The Ambassador described this part of Montenegro as her favourite, and she also spoke of the” amazing Bokeška torta “(Boka cake). The extraordinary nature, unique Mediterranean cuisine and significant hospitality of Boka residents is a perfect mix that will always remain in the Ambassador’s memory, and we are so happy that our country has all this to selflessly offer to everyone.
And a lot of work to be done…
The Ambassador shared the good memories she created during her mandate as EU Ambassador to Montenegro. However, a long road lies ahead before Montenegro joins the EU. We must all stay on the same page and work together towards our EU goal. Many things still need to be done and a joint effort is required. Youth participation is crucial on this road, because the youth are the future. The EU has a lot to offer to Montenegrin youth, but we must do our best to positively influence the authorities to work as most Montenegrin citizens want – to improve all segments of our country to achieve the standards required for EU membership.
A special thank you
A special thank you goes to Ms Popa from the two of us personally, for being a good team leader and a reminder that success is for those who dare to dream big. The two of us had the honour of doing a traineeship at the EU Delegation to Montenegro during the time of her ambassadorship, and this opportunity is just the first step towards many more opportunities in life.
