DRC KOSOVO HAS PREPARED AND DELIVERED DIGNITY PACKAGES FOR PERSONS FLEEING UKRAINE THAT ARE TRANSITING KOSOVO

During May 2022, DRC Kosovo initiated a project in order to assist and support persons fleeing from Ukraine.

In that regard, after few coordination meetings with relevant stakeholders, DRC Kosovo has prepared dignity packages with food and non-food items for persons fleeing Ukraine and that are tranisiting through Kosovo, traveling onwards to Albania and Montenegro.

On May 24-25, packages have been delivered to two Border Crossing Points, in order to have them available for persons that are fleeing Ukraine and are transiting through Kosovo.

 

DRC Kosovo, in close cooperation with relevant stakeholders, will continue to monitor influx of people that are transiting through Kosovo, and will act accordingly, as the situation evolves.

INCOME GENERATION GRANTS FOR PREVIOUS RETURNEES

During the month of March 2022, with funding from British Embassy in Pristina through UNDP in Kosovo, DRC has implemented and delivered seven income generation grants for previous returnees in three locations in Kosovo.

One of the previous beneficiaries is Mustafa, who returned with his family in Mitrovicë/a North in 2018. With the funds from British Embassy in Pristina, family received full return assistance including an income generation grant, in order for Mustafa to start his own economic activity back in 2018.

Since then, the only income for the family are the earning that Mustafa generates from his economic activity as hairdresser for men. Through the ”Promoting durable solutions and strengthening community resilience” project, Mustafa was selected to recieve additional equipment to allow his business to expand.

As we all know, CoVID 19 pandemic has affected everyone, especially small economic activities like mine”, Mustafa said.

He continued ”But, with the additional equipment that I have received in March this year, and the pandemic situation improving lately, I am looking forward to this season. Equipmet, such as high quality chairs and face steamer that I have received, it will have a huge impact on my economic activity, as I will be able to employ two more people.”

”I am thankful and grateful for the great support that have been offered to me. Like I said previously, I will be able to continue and expand my economic activity. The only word that comes to my mind is huge THANK YOU!” Mustafa ended.

IN APRIL 2022, EIGHT (8) ROMA, ASHKALI AND EGYPTIAN COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM MITROVICË/A SOUTH SUCCESFULLY PASSED LITERACY CLASSES

One of the ranges of DRC’s work is addressing the socio-economic needs of Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities in Kosovo, including education and skills-building for adults. Through funds from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), DRC is implementing a multipart of activities in Mitrovicë/a South, designed at strengthening the socio-economic flexibility of vulnerable individuals.

As such, in January 2022 DRC engaged a teacher and continued with activities of providing basic literacy classes to a small group of vulnerable people from these communities. The participants were carefully chosen by DRC, where priority was given to the  women that mostly were forced to stop their education at an early young age due to different social reasons. This was the fifth cycle of basic literacy training where communities generated and learned how to read, write and deal with basic math functions.

After three months course, in April 2022, the final test for engaged beneficiaries was organized. All eight students successfully passed the final test and received educational grants for completing the course in the amount of 150 Euros per beneficiary.

One of the students could not hide her emotions about the fact she learnt to read and write. H.O. (22 years old) stated:

“I am so happy to know how to read and write now. It will make my life easier, especially when I am asked to read or sign a document”.

DRC will continue providing literacy classes, as there is a high interest for this activity among representatives of Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities.

LOCAL NGO ‘INSPIRACIJA’ HAS SUPPORTED ROMA AND ASHKALI WOMEN IN MARKING THE EARTH DAY IN COOPERATION WITH DRC

On April 17-22, a local NGO ‘Inspiracija’ had an opportunity to be a part of Earth Day campaign with the implementation of tailoring activities with women from Roma Mahalla/Mahala. NGO ‘Inspiracija’ engaged Rifadije and Antigona from Roma and Ashkali communities for a period of seven days.

During this activity, engaged women produced cotton reusable bags and had an opportunity to generate income in order to support their families. ‘Inspiracija’ reached out to DRC with an idea of partnership, given that DRC has sewing machines avaliable in Social Bussines Incubator located in Roma Mahalla/Mahala.

As result of this activity, the women sewed 150 reusable bags that were distributed among the people in Mitrovicë/a South in front of the shopping centres. The main goal of this collaboration was to promote the use of eco-friendly bags instead of the plastic ones that are among the main polluters of the planet.

WOMEN FROM ROMA, ASHKALI AND EGYPTIAN COMMUNITIES IN OBILIQ/OBILIĆ IMPROVED THEIR ACCESS TO INFORMAL EDUCATION

In March 2022, DRC’s implementing partner NGO Teach for Kosova has started implementation of the informal educational activity which aims to reduce illiteracy among women from Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in Plemetinë/a, Obiliq/ć Municipality.

In the first phase, taking place during March-May 2022, ten women take the classes where they learn how to read and write. The classes are carried out by two fellows engaged by Teach for Kosova.

At first, women underwent an evaluation test in order to assess their reading and writing skills. Then, fellows commenced with the teaching program. The activities are being held three times per week, and the women have shown an interest in attending the lessons regularly.

This activity is implemented within the project "Empowering adults, youth and children from Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities through education" which is supported by Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and funded by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), represented by Swedish Embassy in Pristina

DRC, IADK AND MITROVICË/A SOUTH MUNICIPALITY JOINTLY LAUNCHED SUPPORT TO RECYCLING VALUE CHAIN

On March 31, Kristen Stec, Country Director of Danish Refugee Council (DRC) in Kosovo together with Bedri Hamza, Mayor of Mitrovicë/a South Municipality, Zenel Bunjaku, Director of Initiative for Agricultural Development of Kosovo (IADK) and Besim Toska, Owner of the company “Besim Toska B.I.” signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This four party MoU is signed as a support of the project “Strengthen of the Recycling Value Chain in South Mitrovica” which aims to increase the collection capacity of recyclable waste and improve the living of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian population in Mitrovicë/a South.

DRC Country Director thanked Mitrovica South Municipality and IADK for the continuous support of this project, as well as of all other activities which are implemented by DRC in the area. Mayor reinforced his support to the project and said that the municipality will work to be more active, and in future will review the possibilities for project co-financing.

IADK Director expressed his gratitude to DRC for support in the project and Mitrovicë/a South Mayor for his dedication for such type of initiatives that will contribute in improving of livelihoods in Mitrovica area.

The signing ceremony was organized at IADK office, and is part of the project “Supporting Social Entrepreneurship and Promoting Socio-Economic Empowerment in Minority Communities in Kosovo” funded by Sida, supported by DRC and implemented by IADK.

DRC SIGNED A NEW AGREEMENT WITH NGO SIT TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH LOCAL YOUTH

On March 1, Danish Refugee Council (DRC) signed the agreement with the Implementing Partner - Center for Counselling Social Services and Research (SIT). This is the third phase of the project on strengthening resilience to conflict, which aim is to bring together up to 60 youth from the Albanian and Serb ethnicities, including youth from other non-majority ethnicities.

A “Dialogue for Peace” project will be implemented in four multi-ethnic municipalities: Kamenicë/a, Fushë Kosova/Kosovo Polje, Mitrovicë/a South, and Mitrovica/ë North. Activities in this phase will focus on bringing youth together physically, as the situation with Covid 19 seems to be relaxed and restrictions are easing up. A variety of meetings and interactive games with youth from the aforementioned municipalities will be organized in the upcoming period.

Finally, the project will implement initiatives based on community needs. Youth will propose activities which will benefit all communities within the implementation area. The project will last for 10 months and will be the part of the project “Supporting Social Entrepreneurship and Promoting Socio-Economic Empowerment in Minority Communities in Kosovo” funded by International Development Cooperation Agency – represented by the Embassy of Sweden in Kosovo (Sida).

DRC DELIVERED INCOME GENERATION GRANTS FOR RETURNEES

As part of the economic integration grants for returnees in the project funded by the British Embassy Pristina through UNDP in Kosovo, during month of  March, DRC has delivered seven income generation grants in three different Municipalities: Mitrovicë/a North, Štrpce/Shtërpce and Prizren. Aim of the grants is to assist previous returnees in their current economic activities, in order for them to strengthen their sustainable integration in their place of return.

Returnees have benefited various tools and equipment such as: agriculture and pastry equipment, green house and cooling showcase, hairdresser and car wash equipment, etc.

All the returnees have expressed their gratitude and satisfaction with the assistance, as they will be able to expand their economic activity and will continue to support their households financially.

Bane, returnee in Novake village stated: “This income generation grant, not only that will help my family, but will also mean a lot for the entire community in our village. We will be able to expand the arable land for 30%”.

Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian community members in Mitrovicë/a South are supported in the framework of the “Improving Social Inclusion of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in the Mitrovica Region” project implemented by the Danish Refugee Council and funded by the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

In response to the impact of CoVID-19, the Danish Refugee Council delivered food packages to 375 vulnerable families in South Mitrovicë/a.  The families, who belong to Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, have been particularly affected in their ability to generate income.

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Distributions also entailed supporting 320 children to stay in school with items that will contribute to relieving their families from a financial burden they could not otherwise bear, as well as supporting nine extremely vulnerable individuals with personal care items.

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During the distributions, health support items were also handed over to the Director of the Main Family Medicine Centre. Given the high number of persons suffering from diabetes among the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities of South Mitrovicë/a, glucometers and other relevant supplies were provided to the Ambulanta located in Roma Mahalla/Mahala.

Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian community members in Mitrovicë/a South are supported in the framework of the Supporting “Social Entrepreneurship and Promoting Socio-economic Empowerment in Minority Communities in Kosovo” project implemented by the Danish Refugee Council and is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) represented by the Swedish Embassy in Pristina

In response to the impact of CoVID-19, the Danish Refugee Council delivered personal/household hygiene items to 375 vulnerable families in South Mitrovicë/a. The families, who belong to Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, have been particularly affected in their ability to generate income.

Contextually, in cooperation with the Main Family Medicine Centre of South Mitrovicë/a, a nurse was present during the distribution of packages to measure the temperature of the recipients, thus improving access to health services for DRC’s persons of concern.

Fekrije is a single mother of three children from Roma Mahalla/Mahala.  She collects waste plastic for a living and struggles to make ends meet especially with the ongoing restrictions on movement

Fekrije is a single mother of three children from Roma Mahalla/Mahala. She collects waste plastic for a living and struggles to make ends meet especially with the ongoing restrictions on movement

Sofje and her disabled husband live in Dy Korriku / Sitničko Naselje with their child.  They rely exclusively on social benefits to cover costs such as that of the rent for the house were they live.

Sofje and her disabled husband live in Dy Korriku / Sitničko Naselje with their child. They rely exclusively on social benefits to cover costs such as that of the rent for the house were they live.

Turkijan lives in Roma Mahalla/Mahala and is the father of five children. He relies on collecting plastic for the subsistence of his family. Given the ongoing restrictions on movement, he can no longer access sufficient income to meet their basic ne…

Turkijan lives in Roma Mahalla/Mahala and is the father of five children. He relies on collecting plastic for the subsistence of his family. Given the ongoing restrictions on movement, he can no longer access sufficient income to meet their basic needs.

Bekim and his wife live in Ura e Gjakut / Krvavi Most. Due to health issues, they are unemployed and rely on social benefits to support themselves and their five daughters

Bekim and his wife live in Ura e Gjakut / Krvavi Most. Due to health issues, they are unemployed and rely on social benefits to support themselves and their five daughters

In order to continue to promote ownership and sustainability, community members were fully engaged in the process.  Besides voicing their own concerns through participating in the needs assessment, a number of them have been engaged as community advocates to support awareness raising on CoVID-19.  This will build stronger capacities within the communities and promote long-term empowerment.

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IDPs in need receive essential food assistance funded by the European Union Office in Kosovo

Responding to the humanitarian crisis created by the COVID-19 virus, DRC delivered food assistance to IDPs living in the collective centre Bergen in Gračanica/Graçanicë Municipality.

To address immediate needs, 17 vulnerable IDP families received essential food items to help them cope with the hardship caused by the pandemic.

The assistance was delivered under the framework of the EU-funded ‘Supporting durable solutions for collective centre residents in Kosovo Phase II’ Project.

Improving skills through basic vocational trainings

Within its Sida-funded project Supporting Social Entrepreneurship and Promoting Socio-economic Empowerment in Minority Communities in Kosovo, DRC is currently providing support to vulnerable individuals from the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities of South Mitrovicë/Mitrovica through basic-level vocational training courses.

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On 9th September 2019, the latest cycle of training ended.  This is the eight cycle organised by DRC through Sida funds, and it saw the participation of 27 trainees, of whom five women, distributed in six profiles (constructions, auto-mechanics, welding, carpentry, barbering and hairdressing).

Thanks to these trainings, participants develop basic working skills that are crucial for them to access vocational training opportunities organised by the Kosovo institutions, and thus improve their chance to enter the job market.  Trainings started in 2013 and are organised in close cooperation with the Employment Office and Regional Vocational Training Centre of South Mitrovicë/Mitrovica.

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Hatixhe is one of the trainers.  She is an engineer with 20 years of experience and has been teaching the constructions course since its start six years ago.  According to her, her five trainees – aged between 25 and 55 – are eager to learn. 

“I hope that, in the future, women from South Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities will start to take an interest in constructions, so that the prejudice that labels this field as exclusively for men is dissipated.”
- Hatixhe

Shaban, 54 years old, is one of Hatixhe’s trainees.  He realises that “without any diploma or any experience nowadays it is hard to find a job”, and signed up for DRC’s training so that he can gain the basic skills he needs to continue his professional learning path at the Regional Vocational Training Centre of South Mitrovicë/a.  “Thanks to this training I am even able to plan my day better”, says Shaban full of excitement; “What I learn motivates me to continue to learn”, he adds.  Shaban also mentioned that the bond among trainees – who knew each other beforehand – has become stronger thanks to the time they spent learning together and working together at solving problems.  He is confident this is something they will take away from their participation and continue in their daily lives.

IDPs promote their start-up businesses in Štrpce/Shtërpcë

With funding from MCR, IDP families were assisted to organize a local fair in Štrpce/Shtërpcë to promote their businesses to the wider community.

As part of the EU-funded ‘Supporting durable solutions for collective center residents’ in Kosovo project, 33 internally displaced and vulnerable families who are currently living in collective centers in Štrpce/Shtërpcë, were supported with livelihood opportunities including a mix of income generation grants, vocational training and business trainings.

The local fair was held so that beneficiaries could promote their businesses to new clients and socialize with other inhabitants of the municipality. Full participation in local community life is not only essential to ensure a thriving business, but also vital for sustainable and successful integration.

The fair took place in front of the new indoor playground ‘Pinky’, that is run by Vesna who benefited from an income generating grant to start up this unique business in town. Children of both Serbian and Albanian schools in Štrpce/Shtërpcë ran off their energy in the playground while their parents met with other residents over food prepared by two beneficiaries who have their meat production business and donut and sweets shop a few meters away from the playground. 

Maja is a single mother and runs ‘Sweetheart Maja’ at the corner of the street. For the event she prepared donuts, cakes and other sweets. She opened her sweets shop in November last year. “In the beginning it went super. Children from the nearby school came frequently but after a while they lost interest and I also got competition from other recently opened shops”, says Maja. This local fair gave her renewed courage and motivation and she is now thinking about adding new foods to her assortment.

Neda, who lives with her husband and two teenage children in one of the  collective centers, used her beauty skills to entertain the kids with face painting. Judging by the number of painted faces, her makeup stand was very popular. Journalists from TV Herc, a local tv channel, took her aside and interviewed her about the beauty salon that she opened with EU funding through the project. Even though her beauty salon is running well, she was still eager to participate in the local fair since extra promotion can do no harm. The fair also inspired the participants to work together in the future. “Vesna, who is running the playground, wants to hire me in the future for children’s entertainment when she will organize birthday parties”, smiles Neda proudly.

During the fair other local businesses including brandy production, repair and maintenance works, filigree jewelry, decorations and a local taxi service were also presented.

The fair was organized with funding from the Ministry for Communities and Return.