Author: Arnisa Xharra

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Wearing it Off

The research on worker rights in Kosovo reveals a complex landscape marked by progress and challenges. The study focused on assessing the current state of worker rights, understanding the legal framework, examining workplace conditions, and identifying areas for improvement. The findings offer insights into worker rights status in Kosovo and underscore the need for comprehensive reforms and increased awareness. The Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards serve as a framework for evaluating a company's performance in areas beyond just financial metrics. A critical component of the social aspect of ESG is the protection and promotion of worker rights, ensuring fair treatment, safety, and equitable working rights for employees. This research endeavors to delve into the intersection of worker rights and ESG standards within the specific context of Kosovo.

Read the full report here:

 

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Terms of Reference – Conduct Annual Survey

Title of the action: Conduct annual survey with businesses across Kosovo to monitor the implementation of labor related legislation in Kosovo

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 labour rights and labour-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.

RESEARCH PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this research is to assess the current situation in the private sector in Kosovo about the labor rights and health and safety working conditions. The survey results will be presented to stakeholders and serve for improving the legislation and/or implementation of existing legal base.

The call will be open for a week, starting from 12th of September 2023. The deadline for proposal submission is 30.09.2023 at brikena_berisha@iksweb.org.

For more detailed information: Terms of Reference

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Terms of Reference – Junior Researchers for Survey

The Center for Democracy Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the CDF) implements the three-year regional project 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. The project is being implemented in the period from February 1, 2023 until January 31, 2026. The CDF is the lead partner of the Project and coordinates the work of project partners (hereinafter referred to as Partners) in the consortium consisting of AIEN (Albania), Youth Act (Albania), Network of Progressive Initiatives-NPI (Bosnia and Herzegovina), NGO Info Center (North Macedonia), Kosovar Stability Initiative- IKS (Kosovo*) and Regional Academy for Democratic Development – ADD (Serbia).

The goal of the Project is to contribute to strengthening the participatory democracy of European integration and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans, through increased influence of civil society organizations, especially youth organizations in the promotion of democratic values, political, economic and social benefits of European integration of the Western Balkans.

For information regarding the ToR and how to apply, please see document: 📄 ToR junior researchers RYDE Survey FINAL

The documents must be sent at the email info@iksweb.org, no later than 4th of August.

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Terms of Reference – Senior Researchers for Survey

The Center for Democracy Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the CDF) implements the three-year regional project 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. The project is being implemented in the period from February 1, 2023 until January 31, 2026. The CDF is the lead partner of the Project and coordinates the work of project partners (hereinafter referred to as Partners) in the consortium consisting of AIEN (Albania), Youth Act (Albania), Network of Progressive Initiatives-NPI (Bosnia and Herzegovina), NGO Info Center (North Macedonia), Kosovar Stability Initiative- IKS (Kosovo*) and Regional Academy for Democratic Development – ADD (Serbia).

The goal of the Project is to contribute to strengthening the participatory democracy of European integration and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans, through increased influence of civil society organizations, especially youth organizations in the promotion of democratic values, political, economic and social benefits of European integration of the Western Balkans.

For more information on the ToR and how to submit, please see the document: 📄ToR senior national experts RYDE Survey Final

The documents must be sent at the email info@iksweb.org, no later than 4th of August.

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Applications for POLITEIA Regional School for Youth Participation 2023 are now open!

We invite you to apply for the POLITEIA Regional School for Youth Participation that will take place July 6-12, 2023 in Niš, Serbia.

The first POLITEIA School for Civil Society took place in 1997 where youth gained valuable knowledge of democratic and European values. Since then, hundreds of young people were taught and motivated to actively participate in social and political processes. POLITEIA is recognized as one of the leading non-formal educative programs for because of its great choice of lecturers, interactive methodology as well as choosing qualified participants. POLITEIA was raised to a regional level during a three-year regional project “Regional Youth Compact for Europe - RYCE” (2018-2021) and participation is now available for young people from the entire Western Balkans region. POLITEIA Regional School is organized within the three-year regional project“Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe” funded by the European Union.

Some of the main issues of this year’s POLITEIA will be:

  • European Union and enlargement - Western Balkans and accession to the EU: stagnation or progress?
  • National, Regional and European Identity - How can we connect them?
  • What kind of economic and social progress does the adoption of European standards bring?
  • What kind of country and society do we want to build?
  • Public space - inclusive, democratic, without hate speech and fake news
  • What are the domestic assignment on the way to the EU? How does the EU help us achieve them?
  • Key challenges at the national and regional level
  • Regional cooperation - a condition for EU accession or a real need in the Western Balkans?
  • What are public policies and how are they designed?
  • What are the youth policies in the EU and the Western Balkans?
  • Dialogue between youth and decision-makers - how is it organized, who participates in it, what is discussed?

Participation in the POLITEA Western Balkans School for Youth Participation is open to final-year undergraduate high school students, students, young professionals and activists from the age of 18 to 25 from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo*, Serbia and North Macedonia. Participants will be chosen according to their academic, activist and other achievements as well as their motivation for being part of POLITEIA alumni network.

Successful candidates will be those who have a strong interest in acquiring new knowledge about the social, economic and political benefits of the European integration of the Western Balkans, youth policies, youth networking at the regional and European level, as well as mechanisms for participation in the process of creating and implementing public policy.

Certificate for successfully completing POLITEIA Regional School for Youth Participation will be awarded to the POLITEIA participants.

The deadline for submitting application is June 4, 2023.

Please kindly note that participation in POLITEIA Regional School for Youth Participation 2023 is free of charge! The organizer is also covering all accommodation, food and travel costs.

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Një Maji, Dita Ndërkombëtare e Punëtorëve

 

Një Maji – Dita Ndërkombëtare e Punëtorëve është një ditë në të cilën punëtorët festojnë, respektivisht përkujtojnë luftën e tyre për kushte më të mira pune, për shkurtimin e orarit të punës në tetë orë dhe një pagë të garantuar për jetesë. Kjo ditë që njihet me emrin Dita Ndërkombëtare e Punëtorëve apo edhe Dita e Punës, në shumë vende të botës festohet me 1 maj, përderisa në disa shtete të Amerikës Veriore, në të hënën e parë, të muajit shtator. Kjo ditë ndërkombëtare e punëtorëve, paraqet festën më të përhapur në rruzullin tokësor.

Lexoni më shumë për historinë e 1 Majit, dhe si festohet në Kosovë.

👉 – Një Maji, Dita Ndërkombëtare e Punëtorëve, IKS

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Terms of Reference Solidar Suisse

Training and mentoring women in traning to gain textile skill is one of the activities implemented under the ‘’SpeakUp’ project, by Iniciativa Kosovare per Stabilitet, funded by Solidar Suisse.

IKS intends to commission a local expert to support the identified potential women by coaching and mentoring them in textile skills such as cutting and sewing, as part of “SPEAKUP” project. IKS will coordinate this effort, but the expert would be responsible for organizing and communicating with the targeted audience. IKS reserves the right to review and approve the methodology and all instruments, guides, and or administrative procedures as necessary to comply with IKS procedures.

Consultant submitting proposals are invited to demonstrate their capability and credentials to offer these services (e.g. past experience in the field), set out their proposed methodological approach and quote a price for the services requested.

Evaluation factors will include: proposed cost of services, quality and detail of the proposal, integrity of the proposed methodology and integrity of the administration plan; the degree to which the proposals demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Kosovo’s textile industry and challenges faced, and; the relevance and creativity of the proposed training content. IKS will select the proposal that demonstrates the best combination of price and proposed methodology/implementation plan.

The deadline for accepting offers is 1st of April 2023. All application should be sent at info@iksweb.org.

For full description of the Terms of Reference, please see this link: TERMS OF REFERENCE. 

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Terms of Reference, Solidar

This research paper is one of the activities implemented under the ‘’SpeakUp’ project, by Iniciativa Kosovare per Stabilitet, funded by Solidar Suisse Kosova.

KS intends to commission a research company/local expert to undertake a comparative research study with the objective of contributing to the study of “SpeakUp” project. IKS will coordinate this effort, but the research expert would be responsible for organizing and conducting research and providing thoroughgoing analysis and findings. IKS reserves the right to review and approve the methodology and all instruments, guides, and or administrative procedures as necessary to comply with IKS procedures.

Consultant submitting proposals are invited to demonstrate their capability and credentials to offer these services (e.g. past experience in the field), set out their proposed methodological approach and quote a price for the services requested.

The intended commencement period is 23th of February 2022 and the period of execution of the contract will be 45 days from this date. The fieldwork should be completed before the th 10th of April 2023.

Find the full proposal here: Terms of Reference – Solidar

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Terms of Reference for Annual Audit of Project/Programme Support including ISRS 4400

Iniciativa Kosovare për Stabilitet (IKS) hereafter referred to as the “Cooperation partner” wishes to engage the services of an audit firm for the purpose of auditing the Human Rightivism, as stipulated in the agreement between the Cooperation partner and Sida. The audit shall be carried out in accordance with international audit standards (ISA) issued by IAASB1. In addition, an assignment according to International Standards on Related Services (ISRS) 4400 shall be carried out. The audit and the additional assignment shall be carried out by an external, independent and qualified auditor. 

Please read this document for further information: ToR for Audit SIDA CDF IKS

The documents should be sent at flaka_berisha@iksweb.org with the subject “Application for Audit”, and the deadline for accepting offers is 16th of January 2023 (23:59).