As Europe’s newest country, Kosovo is building its own future. Less than 15 years after independence, citizens are engaging to ensure a strong democracy and thriving economy. New opportunities to develop multi-cultural relationships and create trust between diverse communities represent a bridge from the region’s past to its future.
Still, economic and political challenges threaten both stability and prosperity. Young people face an unemployment rate of more than 50%, significantly higher than their older counterparts. Youth are urgently seeking jobs to support themselves and their families, and without work, are vulnerable to risky behaviors and irregular migration.
Training in soft and workforce skills and entrepreneurship increases youth's community engagement, enhances stability, and reduces bullying and gender-based violence.
In 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 global health crisis did not leave Kosovo untouched, but young people stepped forward to lead the response, joining community Emergency Response Teams to ensure social distancing and other measures to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, as well as delivering food to vulnerable families with limited transportation and economic means.
Up to Youth
Global Communities is implementing a five-year Up to Youth Activity in Kosovo, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), committed to improving the capacities and enabling the aspirations of youth so that they can contribute to and benefit from more stable, democratic, and prosperous communities. Global Communities works with young people in nine municipalities in Kosovo as they become sources of positive change, develop new life skills and build resilience. Young people ages 15-24, including those often marginalized or excluded, come together for leadership opportunities, developing advocacy and awareness campaigns, and launching social ventures. Up to Youth utilizes a Positive Youth Development lens, ensuring that the key principles of assets, agency, contribution and enabling environment are integrated across activities, as well as an evidence-based approach to youth learning.
Over 2,900
youth and parents participated in Up to Youth’s community outreach activities
Mobilized 630+
youth throughout nine partner municipalities to improve their capacities and skills to contribute to and benefit from better communities and livelihoods
133
youth completed the entrepreneurship and rapid market assessment workshops to assess their municipalities’ potential for future private sector engagement opportunities
Our work in Kosovo
Positive Youth Development
Equipping Young People for Leadership and Success
Economic Opportunity
Advancing Job Training and Market Linkages for Sustainable Livelihoods
Sustainable Development
Standing with Communities as They Shape Their Own Future
Water Security
Expanding Safe, Sustainable Water Access
Resources
Briefs & Case Studies
Special Study on Migration for the MCGOVERN-United States Program
Unidos is a project funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program that aims to improve school-age children’s literacy, increase the use of health and nutrition practices, and improve the effectiveness of food assistance through local and regional purchases. Global Communities with sub-recipient Save the…
Research & Publications
Global Communities Safeguarding Policy
Safeguarding is an organization-wide responsibility to ensure that our people, programs, and practices respect the rights and dignity of the people with whom Global Communities comes in contact so that they can live free from abuse and harm. Safeguarding includes preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEAH), safeguarding children, anti-trafficking, sexual harassment in the workplace,…
NEWS
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Up to Youth Program Supports Sweet Entrepreneurship in Kosovo
By Lizzie Hickman Do you remember what it was like to be a teenager, to have the entire world of possibilities open for you to …
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Empowering Youth to Engage Meaningfully in Their Community
Originally published by USAID Meriton Binakaj is currently enrolled in online courses to finish high school. “I couldn’t have done it before since I had …
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Kosovo Youth’s Newfound Life Skills Build Resilience in Their Communities
Originally published by USAID It is essential that Kosovo youth have the skills necessary to take part in Kosovo’s democratic and economic future. Acquiring soft …
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Kosovo Youth Transform Their Business with Newly Gained Entrepreneurial Skills
Originally published by USAID Less than two years ago, Fatbardha Muharremi and Herolinda Rexhepi were jobless. Fatbardha had recently graduated from college with a degree …
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