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Author: WeBalkans

Equipping young people with work experience

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Unlocking potential: EU funding boosts Gjakova youth’s employability through practical training

Kosovo is facing a great demand for skilled workers ready to work in person or remotely for the rest of the world. Grasping new opportunities enabled by the green and digital transition can be found in the lifelong learning and skills development of these. Similar gaps amongst the skill force are present in the EU area, where the European Commission (EC) declared 2023 the European Year of Skills. The goal is to provide citizens with the relevant skills to adjust to labour market changes.

“There is a great skills gap in Kosovo’s labour market that has only grown deeper after the pandemic.”

Making a more significant impact in smaller towns

The labour market in Kosovo faces multi-faceted challenges, but in smaller towns, there are even fewer opportunities for employers and employees. Topping the list of problems is the skills gap: businesses don’t find the workers they need, while those searching for a job are not qualified enough to get employed. In the western town of Gjakova, the Jakova Innovation Centre (JIC) identified a great potential to address the mismatch of labour needs and education skills. This phenomenon is likely contributing to the unemployment of more than half of young people in Kosovo.

“There is a great skills gap in Kosovo’s labour market that has only grown deeper after the pandemic,” says Fatos Axhemi, the project manager of a co-funded project between the European Union and the Municipality of Gjakova addressing employability of the youth, women, and disadvantaged groups.

To tackle the issue, JIC applied a two-way approach: working with the employer and the job seekers. After listing potential private and public sector opportunities, they identified eight in-demand skills through a labour market analysis and needs assessment—the result: 31 employed and over a hundred completed internships.

“Our methods to engage young people in the labour market proved successful, for which we had very positive reviews,” says Axhemi. “They have completed an internship where they carried the weight of work on their shoulders, carried professional duties based on what they are skilled to do.”

In addition to training, participants grew during their experience with the mentorship programme during the two-year project.

“We have laid the foundations of a great network of existing and new businesses operating in Gjakova, who are continuing to identify the skills shortages to the public authorities actively, which adds to our achievements as a project.”

About the project

As a lead partner, Jakova Innovation Centre and Municipality of Gjakova implemented the project “United towards empowering youth, women and disadvantaged groups” over two years, funded by the European Union Office in Kosovo. The main aim of the project was to analyse the current labour market and create new opportunities for youth, women, and disadvantaged groups. Additionally, the project aimed to provide the target groups with the necessary skills needed for the labour market, connecting and match-making employers with employees for on-job training, internships, and regular employment and financing new innovative ideas for creating new start-ups.

Start-ups, getting over the first hurdle

JIC also supported start-up businesses that needed help to get over the start line, especially those operating in small-town environments like Gjakova and the neighbouring municipalities of Junik and Deçan. Among the 16 grantees, the project supported women entrepreneurs and start-up owners with a disability in various industries, such as food processing, IT, nutrition consultancy, business growth, and many more.

“We have laid the foundations of a great network of existing and new businesses operating in Gjakova, who are continuing to identify the skills shortages to the public authorities actively, which adds to our achievements as a project,” says Axhemi.

Continuous identification and addressing of skills shortage is a must for all actors, as is the need for lifelong learning and acquiring skills to fit with transitions that increase everyone’s chances of employability. More than three-quarters of companies in the EU have difficulties finding workers with the necessary skills, and only a third of adults undertake training, the EC says.

EIB Global’s impact finance operation with Intesa Sanpaolo Banka BiH receives the Impact-linked Deal of the Year 2022 award from Uxolo

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Together with Intesa Sanpaolo Banka BiH, EIB Global received today a prestigious Uxolo Award for an innovative credit line for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with long-term social impact. The awards ceremony took place during the Uxolo and TXF Global 2023 Development and Impact Finance Conference in Lisbon. The jury selected the winners among the applications submitted in 2022 from around the world, on the merit of innovation, impact and pioneering solutions in the emerging markets.  
The impact incentive loan, first developed by the EIB in 2020, aims at fostering youth employment, gender equality and socially inclusive practices among small businesses and mid-caps. This innovative financing entails a combination of EIB funding with a reward mechanism for companies that meet specific targets towards enhancing leadership, employment and career development opportunities for women, young people and vulnerable social groups.  
The Uxolo award is a way of recognising the crucial work of development finance stakeholders of all sizes across the globe. It recognises the importance of small transactions that can be more impactful when they are pathfinders for new markets or when they revolutionise the way traditional development projects have been financed. It rewards those who demonstrate innovation – in terms of financial engineering, risk mitigation and diversification of the traditional development funding pool – and propose practical solutions to real world development problems.  
Uxolo’s 2022 Deals of the Year stretched from landmark conservation bonds and complex blended finance applications to inventive and impactful grants and guarantees.

EIB Global invests over €110 million for sustainable infrastructure development of BiH

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EIB Global, the arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB) for activities outside the European Union, will invest €116 million as an overall financial package for the development of sustainable mobility, water and sanitation infrastructure and the healthcare facilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. €75 million loan will go into the rehabilitation and extension of existing healthcare units and the construction of a new medical campus at the University Clinical Centre of Banja Luka. The project will enable better healthcare services and skilled human resources to strengthen the healthcare system’s resilience and response to future emergencies.  
€35 million will be invested in the Sarajevo urban transport project to enable the modernization and extension of the tram and trolley bus networks. This will add to the  €40 million already lent since 2021, bringing the total EIB investment to €75 million. Thanks to EIB Global financing for this project, the country’s capital will benefit from reduced traffic congestion and air pollution, increased safety and convenience of the public transport system.  
Along with these loans, EIB Global has also signed a €6 million EU grant agreement channeled through the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) for the extension of water supply, sewage collection and wastewater systems in some 20 municipalities in all parts of BIH. This grant will be blended with other existing investments provided under this comprehensive water and sanitation programme, which will help reduce environmental pollution and improve access to water and sanitation services for people across the country.  
With these new investments, EIB Global’s lending for BiH to date has reached €3.4 billion in supporting the development of vital infrastructure and small and medium businesses. Over half of this lending volume has been allocated to transportation sector (€1.6 billion), followed by investments in small and medium enterprises (€880 million), energy (close to €300 million) and water and wastewater infrastructure (€250 million).

BIRN Kosovo Holds Training Camp on Legally Safe and Crisis Reporting

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As part of the EU funded project “Strengthening Quality News and Independent Journalism in the Western Balkans and Turkey II” BIRN Kosovo held a training camp in Durres, Albania, on legally safe and crisis reporting for journalists from the region. The three-day training took place in Durres between 16-18 June, gathering 14 journalists from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Turkey, of which 10 were women.

 

The main aim was to provide journalists with specialized knowledge that will help them protect themselves and their newsrooms from different kinds of attacks, including physical attacks, legal actions such as Strategic Litigations Against Public Participation – SLAPPs, as well as to preserve their digital security. A wide range of trainers and guest speakers held the sessions, including BIRN managing editors and other external guest speakers.

 

The overall objective of the project is to provide systemic support to improve the quality and professionalism of journalism in the Western Balkans and Turkey. In the coming months, more activities will take place as part of the project, which will be announced and published soon.

Keys to 18 apartments handed over to refugee families in Arandelovac, Serbia

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An additional 18 RHP beneficiary families received keys to new Regional Housing Programme (RHP) apartments in Aranđelovac, Serbia, today, bringing the Programme one step closer to its successful conclusion. To date, more than 7 100 RHP homes have been allocated to beneficiaries across Serbia, one of the four Partner Countries of the RHP.

 

In addition to the beneficiaries themselves, the ceremony was attended by Ana Đunović, Head of the Department for Reception and Implementation of Projects of the Republic of Serbia; Elvira Angulo Rodriguez, representing the Delegation of the European Union in Serbia; Bojan Radović, Mayor of the Municipality of Aranđelovac, and Dušan Kovačević, Head of the Public Sector Projects Implementation Unit Ltd, amongst others.

 

The European Union, represented by the European Commission, is the main Donor to the RHP. Out of a total of EUR 294 million committed to the Programme, the European Commission contributed EUR 238 million, i.e. 81%. The other donors are the United States of America, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, Türkiye, Luxembourg, Spain, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and the Slovak Republic.

RHP delivers 30 apartments to refigee and displaced families in Capljina Bosnia and Herzegovina

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A further 30 refugee and displaced families can celebrate World Refugee Day (20 June 2023) in their new homes thanks to the Regional Housing Programme (RHP), as keys to newly-built RHP apartments were delivered in Čapljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) on 19 June.

 

In addition to the beneficiaries themselves, the event was attended by Gianluca Vannini, Head of Operations, Section for Social Development, Civil Society and Cross-Border Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to BiH; Nerin Dizdar, Minister of Displaced Persons and Refugees in the Federation of BiH; Smiljan Vidić, Mayor of Čapljina; Ioannis Piliouris, Head of the Field Office in Mostar at the OSCE Mission in BiH; Nermina Džepar-Ganibegović, RHP Country Housing Project Lead Manager at the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of BiH, and Anita Hodžić, Adviser to the Minister for Human Rights and Refugees of BiH.

 

On behalf of the European Union – the main Donor to the RHP – Gianluca Vannini congratulated the BiH authorities on the completion of approximately 2 600 housing units, and stated that he eagerly looked forward to the successful completion of the RHP this year, by which time approximately 34 000 people would enjoy decent homes across the region. He additionally urged Partner Countries to make all efforts to ensure that all remaining families received their new accommodation as planned by Programme-end.

 

Minister Dizdar proudly pointed out that the RHP building was the largest project intended for refugees and displaced persons in the Herzegovina region, thanks to the EU and other RHP Donors. ″We will end the story of displaced persons, refugees and returnees in BiH so that everyone is able to exercise their right to housing, as well as equal access to public services and employment,″he said.

 

One of the beneficiaries, Sanela Brajković, expressed her gratitude to all those who had made it possible for her family to receive their new apartment. “We have a special feeling today,″ she said. “Good people made it possible for us to get a new home. It is our dream come true.″

RCC’s Youth Lab Project finalises the Second Youth Policy Lab on Mental Health

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Thirty young people and policy makers from the entire Western Balkans presented the outcomes and recommendations that have emerged from their diligent efforts to address youth mental health in their economies at the Final Conference on Youth Mental Health, organised by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s EU-funded Western Balkans Youth Lab Project (WBYL), in Belgrade on 21 June.  
Following development of 13 regional recommendations and work organised within the Working Groups, representatives of each Western Balkan economy presented their work done so far. Youth Component of economy-wide Mental Health Action Plan 2023 and Assessment of Youth Mental Health services have been done in Albania; a Framework for development and implementation of promotional and preventive activities in the area of Mental Health intended for young people aged 14 to 18 was created in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Administrative Instruction Amendment on Mental Health was developed in Kosovo*; economy-wide Programme for Youth Mental Health and Guideline for Youth Workers was developed in Montenegro;  economy-wide Youth Mental Health Strategy was drafted in North Macedonia, and Coordination Body for Youth Mental Health was established within the Ministry of Health.  
The Conference served as a platform for sharing and showcasing diverse activities taken by Working Groups from the region, as well as presenting the outcomes and recommendations that have emerged from their diligent efforts to address youth mental health in their economies. Besides Mr Markovic, the event was opened by Mr Martin Klaucke, Head of Operations – Section II, Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, Ms Ivana Antonijevic, Assistant Minister, Ministry of Tourism and Youth of Serbia, Dr Ledia Lazeri, Mental Health Regional Adviser at World Health Organisation, and Ms Andreea Scrioșteanu,  European Youth Forum Board Member.

RCC, SEESAC, PFSALW organise high-level meeting on small and light weapons control

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The meeting, dedicated to increasing parliamentary commitment, understanding, and action on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) control, and presenting progress reports on implementation of the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap, has been organised by the Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PFSALW),  RCC and South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) in cooperation with the Parliament of Albania. It gathered SALW control experts and parliament representatives from the region.  
The opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Bardhyl Kollcaku, Member of the Albanian Parliament, Ms. Elsa Håstad, Ambassador of Sweden to Albania, Mr. Alexis Hupin, Head of the Political Section at EU Delegation to Albania, and  Ms. Monica Merino, Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).  All speakers congratulated the authorities of the region for setting the standards in regional approach to small arms and light weapons control, underlined the importance of WB SALW Control Roadmap as an example of good practice of a regional approach to SALW control and reiterated their support in tackling illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of firearms across the region.  
The Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap has been developed by SEESAC under the RCC’s political umbrella. The Roadmap is an undisputable testimony of the commitment undertaken by the region jointly and a great example of a regionally owned process.  
The meeting is a continuation of  multi-year efforts and actions of PFSALW, RCC, and SEESAC directed at preventing and reducing armed violence and building more peaceful and sustainable societies in South east Europe and beyond.  It is financially supported by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs’ (UNODA), Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation on Arms Regulation Fund (UNSCAR), and the European Union.

The EU supports Farmers in Serbia

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The fourth day of the EU Opportunity Week is dedicated to agriculture, the opportunities available in Serbia are presented at the Fair in Novi Sad. The event was opened by the Deputy Head of EU Delegation  to Serbia, Plamena Halacheva, Milica Đurđević, state secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, as well as Milorad Radojević, member of the City Council for the Economy, city of Novi Sad.

 

Almost 1500 farmers from Serbia have so far used the funds of the European Union – IPARD – but the support does not stop: a new cycle of this program is coming, during which beneficiaries will have another 288 million EU grants available, and another 90 million contributions from the Republic of Serbia.

 

Halačeva pointed out the importance of this program – the use of IPARD funds in Serbia has changed the situation for the agricultural sector in the country. These grants have restored rural areas, increased productivity, improved market access and promoted sustainable practices.

 

The EU Week of Opportunities is a unique series of events that provide Serbian citizens with the opportunity to find out everything they are interested in about the available funds in one place for the first time and take advantage of the opportunities to realise their ideas.

 

Sessions and debates are held in three cities: Belgrade, Niš and Novi Sad and cover different areas – Economy, business, education, youth, sports, culture, media, civil society, local development, green transition, agriculture.

Bosnia and Herzegovina establishes full cooperation with Europol

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Bosnia and Herzegovina has now established full cooperation with the EU’s Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) with the opening of new premises of the National/Joint Contact Point of BiH in the Greece–Bosnia and Herzegovina Friendship Building, which houses the BiH Ministry of Security.

 

This is an important milestone for Bosnia and Herzegovina, enabling direct cooperation between Europol and all law enforcement agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as the deployment of BiH liaison officer to Europol in The Hague. This will greatly contribute to BiH’s efforts in strengthening the prevention and fight against organised crime and corruption, which is one of 14 key priorities of European Commission’s Opinion on BiH’s application for EU membership.

 

The EU has continuously advocated for and supported the operationalisation of the Contact Point, including assisting in the drafting of the rules of procedure, refurbishing the new premises and donating IT equipment necessary for its work.