Fostering Youth Empowerment and Social Cohesion in Kosovo: A Pathway to EU Integration

Youth cohesion in Kosova, like in many regions, is a multifaceted concept characterized by the solidarity, mutual support, and collective identity among young people. It involves their ability to come together to celebrate their commonalities and navigate their differences, fostering a sense of belonging and community. In Kosova, this cohesion is particularly vital due to the region’s complex socio-political history and the diverse ethnic and cultural makeup of its population. However, to enhance youth cohesion, several particularities need to be addressed. These include improving access to education and employment opportunities, which can alleviate economic disparities and reduce social tensions. Additionally, promoting inclusive activities such in sports and art and dialogue that transcend ethnic lines is crucial for building mutual understanding and respect. Strengthening civic education to instill a sense of shared responsibility towards community and national development can also play a pivotal role in enhancing youth cohesion in Kosova. By focusing on these areas, efforts to bolster youth cohesion can contribute significantly to the region’s stability and prosperity.

This article aims to take stock of three main pillars of social cohesion among the youth in Kosova: Employment, Sports and Culture, and Civic Engagement.

Download the full study by clicking he button below:

Preparation of a Baseline Study about gender-based discrimination in the workplace

Kosovar Stability Initiative (IKS), in partnership with Kosovar Gender Studies Center (KGSC), is implementing the project “Advancing Gender Equality and Diversity through Elimination of Gender-Based Discrimination at Workplace”, funded by the European Union, managed by the European Union Office in Kosovo. The main aim of the project is to identify some of the current struggles and challenges in organizing the labor market in Kosovo from the prism of human rights on gender-based discrimination. By identifying the main issues, the proposed action will also list the most appropriate public policies and strategies for the key actors for interventions in the labor market with the purpose of enhancing current norms and practices at work, with an emphasis on underprivileged social groups. The proposed action targets the more sensitive social groups in Kosovo, which stand at the bottom of the social and economic hierarchy, and gives a stance in including and respecting their rights, as a precondition of Kosovo to fulfill EU Accession processes. To achieve this, the specific objectives of the project are committed to:

O1: Improve gender perspective in EU accession documents.

O2: Increase the engagement of women’s organizations in the EU Integration process.

O3: Inform and engage society in Gender and EU Integration discourse

For more information about the proposal, including details, objectives, deliverables, and timeline, please review the document below.

Reforma e Sistemit Pensional – Fondi për Sigurime Sociale

Gjersa popullsia e Evropës po vjetërsohet, popullsia në Kosovë vazhdon të rritet, megjithëse me ritme më të ulëta në dekadën e fundit. Pavarësisht ritmit më të ulët, popullsia është e re, madje, pothuajse gjysma e popullsisë është nën 25 vjeç, ndërsa raporti i varësisë është 32,29% (raporti i varësisë, i shprehur në përqindje, llogarit pjesën e popullsisë nga 0 deri në 14 vjeç dhe mbi 65 vjeç, krahasuar me popullsinë e moshës 15 deri në 64 vjeç). Pak vende kanë përjetuar ndryshime kaq dramatike në sistemet e tyre të mbrojtjes sociale sesa Kosova.

Klikoni në linkun më poshtë për të lexuar më shumë rreth studimit:

Thirrje për propozim: Avancimi i barazisë dhe diversitetit gjinor përmes eliminimit të diskriminimit me bazë gjinore në vendin e punës

The call for proposals for small grants is open.
Organizatat e pranueshme për të aplikuar janë organizatat e shoqërisë civile të regjistruara në Kosovë që synojnë informimin dhe avokimin për barazinë gjinore dhe parandalimin e diskriminimit në vendin e punës.
The informative session for this call will be held online on April 29, 2024.
This activity is implemented within the project 'Advancement of gender equality and diversity through the elimination of gender-based discrimination in the workplace', financed by the European Union, implemented by Kosovar Stability Initiative and Kosovar Center for Gender Studies.
The call will be open until May 20 at 5:00 p.m. For more information and application documents, click on:

Terms of Reference – Production of investigative documentary and media presence on working conditions and minimum wage in the country

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Title of the action: Production of investigative documentary and media presence on working conditions and minimum wage in the country.

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

IKS is implementing the project “Toward Social Justice and Equity”, funded by International Swedish Agency for development – SIDA, through Community Development Fund – CDF. The Overall Objective of the Project is to contribute to greater social justice by improving implementation of labor rights and labor-related legislation through enabling active engagement of civil society and social partners. A greater social justice would contribute to better distribution of opportunities, wealth and privileges in the society. This would directly enhance the condition in the labor market for all workers and especially the more vulnerable groups: women and formally and informally employed in the private sector, as the least protected categories in the labor market at risk of being poor. To achieve this, we have set the specific objectives of the Project such as:

SO1: Increase civil society and citizen engagement in reporting labor-related violations and enforcement of labor rights and Occupational Safety and Health;

 S02: Promote social justice and especially OSH law enforcement across the labor-market and in public domain;

 $03: Strengthen the capacities of Social Partners to more effectively represent their constituencies;

S04: Contribute to Policy Debate by analyzing, debating and initiating pol icy change;

SO5: influence and support initiatives for establishment of trade unions in the private sector in non-traditional trade union sectors.

1.  Scope of Work:

The contract on production of investigative documentary and media presence aims to address key issues related to living conditions and poverty, particularly focusing on the perspectives and concerns of the minimum waw. Through this service contract, the objective is to develop investigative and informative documentary that shed light on the various facets of living conditions and establish a strong media presence, including social media platforms, to amplify the project’s impact.

Professional company/expert will be selected in a competitive process. The main mean of distribution will be through social media, but also in local media. The selected contractor is expected to perform the following tasks:

2. Video Production: 

 – Develop a concept and storyboard for the documentary.

– Conduct interviews with relevant identified stakeholders, including realistic characters, or representatives, experts, and industry professionals if that applies.

– Film and produce high-quality videos that effectively communicate with target audience on living conditions.

 – Ensure the videos comply with ethical guidelines and respect the diversity of perspectives.

3.  Media Presence:

 – Create and implement a comprehensive media strategy to ensure broad dissemination of project-related content.

– Manage presence in media and social media accounts on platforms such as Facebook, lnstagram, and others.

4.  Outputs:

– A documentary reflecting the living conditions and minimum wage in Kosovo.

– The documentary should have investigative content and be developed in the field in realistic conditions with chosen characters.

5.  Capacities Required

The following are the key minimum capabilities required for the proper execution of the above scope of work:

  • Has the necessary qualified human and technical resources capable of completing the assignment within the given time limit with high professionalism.
  • Capacities to develop high quality video materials and visual campaign.
  • Proven experience in working with the Civil Society Sector and Donors.
  • Creativity in carrying out and developing the required activities.
  • Provide transportation for filming team and equipment tv within Kosovo based on the needs of the project.

6. Timing and Location

 The service agreement will start from the 19th of April 2024 until 30th of April 2024.

7.  Eligibility

  • Extensive and proven experience in production and editing of high-quality videos.
  • Excellent technical capacities.
  • Experience working with non-governmental organizations and international agencies.
  • Able to work under time pressure.

8.  Payment

The amount maximum amount foreseen for this service will be agreed upon. Payments will be made in one instalment.

9.  Evaluation grid

The Contracting authority selects the offer with the best value for money using an 80/20 weighing between technical quality and price. Evaluation will be based on the following grid:

  • Evaluation process Points
  • General professional experience 40%
  • Specific professional experience 40%

10. Submitting the offer

All companies/ expert that would like to express their interest, send the proposal along with financial offer, at email address brikena_berisha@iksweb.org, no later than 17th of April 2024.

Download the full document here: TOR – Video Production

Call for Proposals for the Youth Fund „Local Youth Initiatives“ is open!

Today, on the 8th April 2024, we are officially launching the open Call for Proposals for the Youth Fund „Local Youth Initiatives“ within the framework of the project Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe funded by the European Union.

Youth Fund for Local Youth Initiatives provides grants to support civil society organizations for projects that will improve and develop participatory youth policies in communities of the Western Balkans by supporting youth initiatives and fostering active citizenship and participation of young people in monitoring reforms and policies impacting youth in the region.

Eligible organizations for applying are civil society organizations registered in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, North Macedonia and Serbia.

Project proposals within this Call will be submitted in a two-step procedure: 1st step – Concept Note phase and 2nd step – Full application phase.

Deadline for submitting concept notes is 8th May 2024 by 20:00 (Belgrade time);

Applicants must apply in English, online to the email address: youthfund@centaronline.org

Information session on this Call for proposals to be held online, on 12th April 2024, from 12:00 to 13:30 (Belgrade time). Should you be interested in this session, please fill in the form by 11th April 2024 to be found here.

Questions requesting further explanations of the Call may be sent by e-mail no later than 20th April 2024 to the E-mail address youthfund@centaronline.org.  Replies will be individually sent to applicants by 25th April 2024.

You can find below the Guidelines for grant applicants and the annexes needed for the project application.

The Youth Fund “Local Youth Initiatives” is a FSTP (financial support to third parties) i.e. sub-granting activity of the three-year regional project “Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe” (RYDE), funded by the European Union in the period 2023-2026 through EU Civil Society Facility and Media Programme in favour of the Western Balkans and Turkey for 2021-2023 (IPA III). The RYDE project is being implemented by the Center for Democracy Foundation from Serbia as a lead partner in cooperation with the partnering civil society organizations from the Western Balkans: Academy of European Integrations and Negotiations (Albania), Youth Act Center (Albania), Kosovar Stability Initiative (Kosovo*), Network of Progressive Initiatives (Bosnia and Herzegovina), NGO Info Center Foundation (North Macedonia) and Regional Academy for Democratic Development (Serbia).

📄 Doc #1 Guidelines for applicants_Youth Fund for Local Youth Initiatives

📄 Doc #2 Annex Ia – Concept Note Form

📄 Doc #3 Annex Ib – Full Application Form

📄 Doc #4 Annex II – Detailed Budget

📄 Doc #5 Annex III Logical framework

📄 Doc #6 Annex IV – Declaration by the Grant Applicant

📄 Doc #7 Annex V – Declaration on partnership by the Associate Partner

 

Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE

Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE project is financed by the European Union. The goal of the project is to contribute to strengthening the participatory democracy of European integration and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans by increasing the influence of civil society organizations (CSOs), youth organizations in particular, in promoting democratic values and the political, economic and social benefits of the European integration of the Western Balkans.

Terms of Reference – Experts for Youth participation in Kosovo and Albania, Desk research on youth policies

Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe-RYDE (hereinafter referred to as the Project) financed by the European Union (EU), on the basis of grant no. 441-454, is being implemented in the period from February 1, 2023 until January 31, 2026. The Center for Democracy Foundation from Belgrade (Serbia) is the lead partner of the Project and coordinates the work of project partners (hereinafter referred to as Partners) in the consortium consisting of Academy of European Integrations and Negotiations-AIEN and Youth Act from Tirana (Albania),  Network of Progressive Initiatives-NPI from Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), NGO Info Center from Skopje (North Macedonia), Kosovar Stability Initiative-KSI from Prishtina (Kosovo*) and Regional Academy for Democratic Development – ADD from Novi Sad (Serbia).

For more information, visit this link Lot 2_Terms of Reference

Terms of Reference – Experts for a Socio-economic area of Kosovo and Albania, Desk research on youth policies

Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe-RYDE (hereinafter referred to as the Project) financed by the European Union (EU), on the basis of grant no. 441-454, is being implemented in the period from February 1, 2023 until January 31, 2026. The Center for Democracy Foundation from Belgrade (Serbia) is the lead partner of the Project and coordinates the work of project partners (hereinafter referred to as Partners) in the consortium consisting of Academy of European Integrations and Negotiations-AIEN and Youth Act from Tirana (Albania),  Network of Progressive Initiatives-NPI from Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), NGO Info Center from Skopje (North Macedonia), Kosovar Stability Initiative-KSI from Prishtina (Kosovo*) and Regional Academy for Democratic Development – ADD from Novi Sad (Serbia).

For more information,  visit this link – Lot 1_ Terms of Reference