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Author: WeBalkans

The EU and UNICEF launch a public campaign to promote inclusion of children with disabilities in Kosovo

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in News.

On 20 September, as part of an EU-funded initiative, UNICEF Kosovo, launched a new campaign to raise public awareness of the barriers facing children with disabilities, and to call for the full realization of their rights. This campaign is part of the three-year project ‘Protecting Vulnerable Children in Kosovo,’ implemented by UNICEF with financial support from the European Union in Kosovo.

 

The campaign, which will run for 22 months online and in municipalities throughout Kosovo, in partnership with the Office of Good Governance, advocates for the rights of children with disabilities with a specific focus on increasing accessibility of public spaces, expanding availability of quality inclusive services, and combatting stigma and discrimination against children with disabilities and their families. The campaign also aims to raise awareness of the draft Law on the Status and Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which will be a milestone reform in Kosovo, if approved.

 

The highlight of this campaign will be the unveiling of a symbolic “knot” installation designed to represent the numerous and interconnected challenges facing children with disabilities in Kosovo. Open to the public for a week in the center of Pristina, this installation will serve as a visible and powerful platform for parents and children to demand change and promote inclusion within their communities.

Saving energy for sustainable urban mobility: European Mobility Week in Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Together with numerous local partners and organisations and the local administrations of Banja Luka, Mostar and Sarajevo, the Office of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina organised a series of educational and recreational activities for all generations in order to highlight the importance and numerous advantages of sustainable urban mobility. The popular and traditional leisure ride “Two Wheels are Enough” marked this year’s Car Free Day in Banja Luka on September 22. One of the goals of riding on the streets is to make cities suitable for cycling and to highlight the need to provide cyclists with urban cycle paths and the right to equal and active participation in traffic. On the same day, September 22, as part of the second celebration of European Mobility Week in Mostar, numerous citizens took part in the Third Mostar Bike Ride including a bike ride through the city streets and a race for the youngest.

  European Mobility Week, the European Union’s leading initiative to raise awareness of sustainable urban mobility takes place every year from 16 to 22 September with the increasing participation of cities, organisations and initiatives across Europe and the world. This European initiative promotes behavioural changes in favour of active mobility, public transport and other clean, intelligent transport solutions.  

This year’s theme of the European Mobility Week  “Save energy” with the slogan Mix and move! reflects the connection between energy efficiency and sustainable urban mobility. Energy and mobility poverty are on the rise due to higher costs for residents and businesses. Public transport operations continue to be a high expense for city budgets and reducing these expenses through energy efficient transport supports affordable and sustainable transport infrastructures.

Enhancing elderly care: An EU-Funded Project uplifts lives in Tirana

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There is a saying: “One society is measured by the way it treats its most vulnerable population”. In Tirana, this sentiment resonates profoundly as the European Union has partnered with Tirana Municipality and the Ryder Albania Association to ensure a life of dignity for the elderly living in Albania’s largest municipality through a dedicated project, “Providing Home Care Services for the Elderly in Tirana.” The project kicked off in April 2023.  In the first phase it will target 220 elderly people who need personalised home support, and later expand to assist over 800 elderly persons. These elders were referred through various channels, including administrative units, social centres, non-public organizations, public health institutions, and citizen referrals.

 

Hubert Perr, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Albania, present at the project presentation, emphasized the importance of the project, stating: “Providing opportunities and care to all citizens, even the most vulnerable, is one of the key values of the European Union.  For this reason, the EU is very proud to finance this ambitious project that covers the essential topic of long-term care for the elderly.” The project takes a multidisciplinary approach and collaborates with various stakeholders, including local actors, civil society organisations, and relevant ministries. This approach sets a precedent for improved elder care and sets a model of multidisciplinary home care service for elderly citizens across Albania.

 

The 300,000 EUR grant for this project is part of the EU for Social Inclusion programme, which is an EU funded, 5-year, 70 million EUR initiative to support the Albanian Government to expand social protection, education, and employment services to groups at risk of poverty and social exclusion, including at risk youth, men and women, people with disabilities and minorities.  The programme plans to support 19 municipalities around Albania.

EU launches new project: EU for Circular Economy

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With the aim of advancing Albania’s environmental sustainability, the European Union and the French Development Agency launched on Monday, 25 September, the “EU for Circular Economy and Green Growth—Waste Infrastructure in Albania” project. The EU grant, which amounts to EUR 19 million, will be implemented by AFD. The project’s objective is to address the detrimental environmental and health consequences resulting from solid waste in the Kukës and Gjirokastra waste regions. It aims to enhance the quality of life for the 190,000 residents in the Kukës and Gjirokastra regions.

 

In a joint ceremony, Minister of Tourism and Environment Ms Mirela Kumbaro, the French Minister Delegate in charge of Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness and the French Nationals Abroad Mr Olivier Becht, French Ambassador to Albania Ms Catherine Suard, Ambassador Luigi Soreca, Chargé d’affaires a.i., EU Delegation to Albania, and AFD Director for Western Balkans Region Mr Arnaud Dauphin officially launched this new project. Chargé d’affaires, Ambassador Luigi Soreca, emphasized: “Protecting the environment is a top priority for the EU, and I am very happy to launch EU’s first ever circular economy program in the region. Now that we have entered the accession negotiation process, Albania will need to significantly accelerate all efforts to implement EU environmental standards, and this is also one of the objectives of this project”.

 

Project activities include a range of strategies, such as intensifying recycling initiatives to diminish waste volumes and constructing contemporary waste facilities and landfills in line with EU standards. These measures are specifically designed to curtail pollution levels and minimize greenhouse gas emissions. The project will aid Albania’s alignment with EU standards, a key step on its journey towards EU membership. This project is an integral part of the broader EUR 30.9 million “EU for Circular Economy and Green Growth” programme for Albania.

Empowering Kosovo’s private sector in the digital Age

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in Stories.

Kosovo is introducing Electronic ID system with the support of the European Union.

The private sector and the digital economy play pivotal roles in the economic development of any nation, and Kosovo is no exception. The manner in which business is conducted today differs significantly from practices before the turn of the millennium. The digital economy presents unparalleled opportunities, revolutionizing economies, markets, and the dynamics between organizations, suppliers, and customers. It has become a crucial driver of growth, innovation, and job creation. In contemporary times, social networks and online platforms have also integrated seamlessly into the digital economy landscape, further enhancing its significance. Moreover, the digital economy represents a promising sector for propelling Kosovo’s economic advancement.

“The core aim of the project is to establish a secure digital identification system for individuals and businesses. Consequently, essential business documentation, such as licenses, business registrations, certificates, and more, will be conveniently accessible via a user’s mobile phone application, forming an integral part of the eID solution.”

A key prerequisite for accelerating the development of e-commerce and e-business is the establishment of an electronic identification and authentication system, commonly referred to as Electronic ID systems (eID). While individuals and businesses are increasingly using the internet for tasks that previously required in-person interactions, there remains a challenge in completing online transactions that necessitate reliable identification, such as accessing government services or refinancing mortgages. Electronic identification also significantly enhances SMEs’ capacity to engage in e-commerce while bolstering transaction security.

In Kosovo, businesses are generally in the early stages of adopting internet and other electronic services for their operations. Nonetheless, it’s noteworthy that the population of Kosovo is progressively becoming more adept in this domain. For example, many SMEs in Kosovo have ventured into social media and established business pages on platforms like Facebook. Moreover, with the backing of the European Union, the government has initiated the implementation of the Electronic ID system (eID) for Kosovo. This EU-funded project commenced earlier this year and is anticipated to conclude in early 2024. The primary focus of the project is to cultivate a robust e-business and e-commerce ecosystem, enhance electronic service delivery for citizens and businesses, and elevate the efficiency and productivity of the private sector through the utilization of ICT.

Ahmet Jetullahu, representing the NGO Prishtina Rea, which is actively involved in the project’s implementation, elucidates that the creation of a widely-accepted form of electronic identification will not only enhance the security of online applications for individuals but will also facilitate the provision of an extensive range of innovative and productivity-boosting products and services by both the public and private sectors. These services often require confirmation of one’s identity or a relevant aspect thereof. In his view, this project lays the foundation for the unrestricted utilization of the digital realm for both business and official personal purposes.

He underscores that the primary objective of the project is to ensure secure digital identification for individuals and businesses alike. This implies that all essential business documents, including licenses, business registrations, certificates, and more, will be accessible through a mobile phone application as part of an eID solution. AhmetJetullahu elaborates on this aspect, stating, “The core aim of the project is to establish a secure digital identification system for individuals and businesses. Consequently, essential business documentation, such as licenses, business registrations, certificates, and more, will be conveniently accessible via a user’s mobile phone application, forming an integral part of the eID solution.”

“This initiative will significantly expedite Kosovo’s transition into the digital realm, fostering an environment where businesses and financial institutions are motivated to integrate and harness the advantages of the digital system.”

About the project

The overall objective of the project is to increase the efficiency and productivity of the private sector through increased use of ICT, create proper and safer e- business/e-commerce ecosystem, and improve electronic service delivery for citizens and businesses.  This action will contribute to Kosovo government efforts to digitalise and increase competitiveness and profitability of Kosovo businesses.  By providing a proper e-ID system and a good environment for e-business/e-  commerce, interoperability between Kosovo and Member States would be more productive and more efficient. The project is implemented by a consortium led by Evoluxer.

In addition to the software solution, the project will offer comprehensive training to institutions at both central and local levels to ensure the effective utilization and implementation of the electronic identification system. Mr. Jetullahu affirms, “This initiative will significantly expedite Kosovo’s transition into the digital realm, fostering an environment where businesses and financial institutions are motivated to integrate and harness the advantages of the digital system.”

Luka Grandić

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA of the month.

YEA of the Month August 2023

My name is Luka Grandić, Young European Ambassador from Serbia.

I study graphic design, and through my designs and artworks, I try to spread European ideals and values.

I took part in the Sarajevo Film Festival this summer on a Human Rights programme.

Listen to what I have to say about my incredible experience!

The second RISE Regional Forum for Social Entrepreneurs held in Skopje

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The second RISE Regional Forum for Social Entrepreneurs, organized by the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), was held in Skopje from 12 until 14 September. This region-wide conference gathered more than 100 social entrepreneurs, changemakers and government officials from the region and the EU, to discussed how to improve environment for social entrepreneurship as a powerful instrument for the social and economic development in the region. Through different panels, discussions, and interactive workshops, participants had the opportunity to exchange ideas, experiences and best practices across sectors.
 
The Forum delivered on its promise to advance the social economy and foster collaborations that address societal challenges. It began with a global presentation entitled “State of play of the social economy in the Western Balkans 6 2023”. This session enabled regional politicians to elucidate the complex nuances of the social entrepreneurship landscape in the Western Balkans and set the stage for dynamic discussions.  
Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of Economic Affairs of North Macedonia Mr. Fatmir Bytyqi said in his opening speech that Western Balkans Governments created and implemented policies for the development of social enterprises, in order to support socio-economic development, but that regional cooperation need to be strengthened.
 
Through a following series of enlightening sessions, experts underscored the need for adaptable legal frameworks to enhance social innovation, inspired renewed commitment to harnessing youth potential, and emphasized the transformative power of sports in empowering marginalized youth.
 
The final day focused on the young entrepreneurs from the RISE project. They eagerly shared their insights as emerging changemakers who had actively participated in the RISE incubation program, shedding light on the valuable lessons gleaned from their mobility program within the region. The RISE Regional Forum was organized as a part of the Regional Incubator for Social Entrepreneurs (RISE) project, supported by L’Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the European Union, RYCO and the Franco-German Youth Office .
 

EBRD and EU help Serbian businesses to access Industry 4.0 services

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Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), researchers and students will be able to develop and test their products and systems with the help of modern digital technologies in a newly opened laboratory in the Science and Technology Park Novi Sad.

 

DEAL (Digital Enterprise – an Active Learning and training Lab), which is financed by the European Union in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Ministry of Economy of Serbia, is a place for research, development and application of the latest technologies in the field of digitisation and automation.

 

The laboratory was created in response to the need for a stronger connection between science, modern production systems and the economy, which would then support the creation and adoption of Industry 4.0 systems – the fourth industrial revolution. The DEAL laboratory will therefore allow companies and researchers to learn about Industry 4.0 and become familiar with the latest trends in the digital transformation of production and logistics systems.  SMEs full insight into the entire automation process –  from digitised product design and development to the digitisation of production and logistics systems. This will be the first laboratory of its kind, not just in Serbia but also the entire region of the Western Balkans.

How to achieve women’s equality in the Balkans

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It was pointed out today that about two-thirds of women in the Balkans have experienced some kind of gender-based violence, and that message was conveyed in  Belgrade at the conference “Share knowledge – towards gender equality in the region” organized by the European Movement in Serbia, which was attended by Deputy Ambassador of the European Union Plamena Halacheva, Serbia’s Commissioner for the Protection of Equiality Brankica Janković and Cultural Attaché of the US Embassy in Belgrade Holly Zardus.  
Deputy EU Ambassador Plamena Halacheva stated that the Balkans have the lowest level of employment of women and that in Europe the number of women with university degrees is higher than among men.  
One of the problems, state Halacheva, is that there are not enough women making (political) decisions in the Balkans. The greatest emphasis is on protecting women from poverty and violence.  
Gender equality is one of the important principles in the operation of the European Union, which is why the EU Strategy for Gender Equality 2020-2025 was adopted a few years ago. The key goals are ending gender-based violence, challenging gender stereotypes, fighting inequality in the labor market, achieving equal participation in different sectors of the economy, addressing gender gaps in wages and pensions, closing the gender care gap and achieving gender balance in policy decision-making.  
The strategy follows the dual approach of bringing this topic to the public’s attention in combination with targeted actions, while intersectionality is the horizontal principle for its implementation. While the Strategy focuses on actions within the EU, it is in line with the EU’s external policy on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

European Mobility Week Starts

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“Let’s move better – save energy!” is the slogan of this year’s European Mobility Week, which started on Saturday.Every year in the period from September 16 to 22, a manifestation is held, which is founded and sponsored by the European Commission. The campaign aims to favour non-motorised modes of transportation in cities over automobile traffic that uses fossil fuels, all with the aim of improving the quality of the environment in urban areas.

 

The campaign has been implemented since 2002, and last year almost 3,000 cities from 50 countries in Europe and the world celebrated this event. You can find the list of cities and municipalities from Serbia that have registered activities so far here.

 

For municipalities and cities, EUROPEAN MOBILITYWEEK provides an excellent opportunity to present sustainable transport alternatives to their residents and to explain to them the environmental challenges they face. By participating in the action, cities and municipalities can show citizens the advantages of choosing cleaner types of traffic and thereby improve the traffic situation in their local environment.

 

Local governments have been strongly encouraged to use this week to test new traffic measures while getting feedback from the public. It is also a great opportunity for local stakeholders to come together and discuss different aspects of mobility and air quality, to look for innovative solutions to reduce car use, to try out new technological and planning solutions. The campaign gives citizens the opportunity to explore new possibilities for using city streets and to experiment with practical solutions that contribute to solving important issues for cities, such as air pollution.