Constitution of the “Social Business Incubator Foundation Mitrovicë/a”

Following closely the Action Plan for Handover Process of the DRC’s “Support to RAE Communities in Mitrovicë/a” Project under the framework of its economic development component, DRC has continued enhancement of the Social Business Incubator (SBI) initiative that was established by the project, in terms of the benefits it brings to RAE communities as well as it is institutionalization through a public-private partnership.

Fully involving RAE community members and local authorities in the partnership, which will enable taking over full responsibility over the SBI initiative, DRC has supported the establishment of a local association featuring some of the characteristics of a social enterprise, utilizing expertize of the International Business School Mitrovica (IBCM)

After several meetings with SBI businesses, local institutions and authorities In Mitrovicë/a that have been taking place during June 2016, the prominent individuals were selected to serve on the new organization’s Board and Executive Committee as well as determining organizational statute, bylaws and board policies. The new non-profit organization has been established and named “Social Business Incubator Foundation Mitrovicë/a” (SBIMF)

The first constitutive meeting of the SBIMF Board of Directors was held on June 28th 2016  following with the strategic planning workshop  on July 12th 2016, both held at IBCM premises in south campus in Mitrovicë/a.

Project documentary raises awareness of recycling and inclusion of informal collectors

100 green club members from 5 schools in Mitrovicë/a South were invited to a screening of a documentary showing the results of the project ‘Strengthening Social Inclusion and Economic Empowerment of marginalized groups in Mitrovicë/a’, funded by the European Union and implemented by Danish Refugee Council.

As part of this project, 400 recycling containers were provided to schools, institutions and businesses to give citizens in Mitrovicë/a South the opportunity to recycle. In addition, the establishment of Social Enterprise treciklo helped create jobs for informal waste collectors and ensure recycling containers are regularly emptied and recycling in Mitrovicë/a increases.

The documentary gave students an insight into how their efforts to separate recyclable waste contribute to providing employment and better incomes for informal waste collectors and divert waste from landfills.

Green Club members were not only able to discuss ways of raising awareness of recycling in their schools and at home, but also to learn more about how social enterprises can help marginalized people find jobs.

Apart from the Social Enterprise treciklo, DRC also invited ‘Grate kryefamiliare’, a social enterprise supported by the European Union and run by widowed women from Mitrovicë/a. The women started a school buffet and catering business, which provides employment for 20 vulnerable women.

To read more about Social Enterprise treciklo, go to Treciklo - Mitrovicë

To read more about other Social Enterprises created with the support of the European Union, visit the EEVG facebook page

KFOR LMT and Portugal contingent support the "Football school" sub-project in Mitrovicë/a

Supported by DRC and UNMIK- regional center in Mitrovicë/a, LNGO PRAM received donations from KFOR LMT and the Portugal contingent as a result of outreach conducted by the PRAM Director, Milaim Ramadani. 47 RAE children from Mitrovicë/a RAE settlements, who are actively involved in PRAM project activities related to sport education,  received soccer shoes and clothing for their regular soccer practice.

PRAM’s project ‘Football School’ aims to contribute to the stabilization and integration process of Roma, Ashkalia and Egyptian children and youth in Mitrovicë/a, and it is an integral part of the DRC “Support  to RAE communities in Mitrovicë/a” project that is financed by Swedish International Development Agency, represented by the Embassy of Sweden in Pristina.

SHUKARNO TALENTI CONTINUES NETWORKING IN THE REGION

Invited by NGO Caritas Kosova office in Gjakova/Djakovica, 20 members ofthe NGO Shukarno Talenti folklore group visited the neighbourhood Ali Ibra (Kolonia) in Gjakova/Djakovica on January 21st, 2016 to exchange experiences.

Both organizations have activities with children and youth related to music education and traditional dance, which helped them establish a common ground for potential cooperation.

On March 1st, 2016, a delegation of 12 members of Caritas Kosovo and the folklore group from the neighbourhood Ali Ibra (former Kolonia) visited Roma Mahalla where NGO Shukarno Talenti presented their educational and cultural activities in Roma Mahalla, South Mitrovicë/a.

NGO Shukarno Talenti will continue to seek partnerships throughout Kosovo to establish better cooperation in order to be informed about events and opportunities for collaboration on various projects.

KCSF and DRC are building capacities of local NGOs

In accordance with the handover process foreseen by the DRC project funded by Sida and implemented in Mitrovicë/a,  intensive capacity building events targeting local civil society organizations have been organized in cooperation with Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF).

In the period of February 25 - 27, 2016, a three - day training on “Strategic planning and fundraising“ has been facilitated by KCSF experts who also presented “Project Cycle Management” topic in a two – day session organized on March 04 – 05, 2016.

DRC local implementing partners such as: Përparimi Rinor i Ashkalive Mitrovicë (PRAM), Roma and Ashkali Documentation Center (RADC), Shukarno Talenti, Gjuvljano Mangipe and Caritas Kosova enjoyed learning about the topics aswell sharing experiences with other NGOs from Prishtinë/Pristina, Peja/Pec, Deçan/Decane and Vushtrri/Vucitrn municipalities. Trainings were organized in Mitrovicë/a and lectures were provided in Albanian. KCSF awarded all participants with certificates.

Successful outcome of Intensive Education for RAE Communities in Mitrovicë/a

On January 18th and 19th 2016, in economic school ''Hasan Prishtina'' in Mitrovicë/a are held the final exams for 12th graders, who attended intensive education supported by DRC and Caritas through the subproject “Intensive Education for RAE Communities”. Many young adults from the RAE communities were unable to continue their education due to displacement and economic hardship.  Out of 8 initially registered in October 2014, 6 Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian youth from Dy Korriku/Sitnicko Naselje have successfully passed the exams and completed their educational goal.
On February 18th 2016, in a certification event organized by the school and Caritas, the students received their certificates. Besides DRC and Caritas, representatives from civil society in Mitrovicë/a, Municipal educational authorities and UNMIK participated in the event.

The “Intensive Education for RAE Communities” is a subproject implemented by Caritas Kosova through Sida funds as an integral part of the DRC project 'Support of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in Mitrovicë/a'.

Read more on the event in the local online portal MitrovicaTopPress.
http://mitrovicatoppress.com/?p=38426

EU-funded project takes first step to introduce recycling in schools in Mitrovicë/a South

In January 2016, the project ‘Strengthening Social Inclusion and Economic Empowerment of marginalized groups in Mitrovicë/a’, funded by the European Union Office in Kosovo and implemented by Danish Refugee Council, began implementing a collection scheme for recyclable materials, ‘Mitrovica Recycles’, giving citizens in Mitrovicë/a South the opportunity to recycle plastics and aluminium cans.

With co-funding provided by Sida and the assistance of Prishtina-based NGO Green Art Center (GAC), 3 primary schools, 2 secondary schools and the Municipal building were selected to pilot at-source recycling. As a first step, GAC helped establish Green Clubs in the 5 participating schools.

217 Green Club members between the ages of 12-18 were trained by GAC on the importance of environmental protection and recycling, separation of waste into recyclable and non-recyclable materials and the role of Green Clubs in promoting recycling in their respective schools.

In a second step, all 5 schools and the municipal building will be equipped with separation containers in classrooms and hallways to enable proper recycling. As a result, over 4000 children and youths as well as municipal employees and visitors will have access to recycling opportunities. The recycled materials will be collected by the Social Enterprise treciklo, providing employment and income opportunities to informal waste collectors and diverting waste from landfills.

DRC delivers capacity-building trainings to Social Business incubator and local authorities to strengthen economic development and support the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in Mitrovicë/a

Under the framework of the Sida funded project and capacity building initiative of the project target groups, the Management and Development Associates conducted three group training workshops on 11, 14 and 17 December 2015 in Mitrovicë/a.

First training targeted members of the Social Business Incubator Community Board, explaining them legal forms of registration under the Kosovo legislation.

A second training workshop explaining tax system in Kosovo was delivered to the owners of newly established businesses supported by DRC under the Social Business Incubator initiative in Mitrovicë/a.

The local authorities and institutions in Mitrovicë/a constituted the third training group which were attending the workshop on “Local Economic Development Strategy and Management”.

The main purpose of the workshops was to transfer the knowledge about managing and developing businesses in Kosovo, while simultaneously working with public and private institutions to be more responsive to the needs of RAE communities.

Cargo tricycles and protective clothing support the work of informal collectors in Mitrovicë/a

On 22 January, representatives of the Regional Development Agency North (RDA North), the Social Enterprise treciklo and the Municipality of South Mitrovicë/a, handed over cargo tricycles, protective clothing and collection tools to selected informal collectors. In the presence of the Municipality of South Mitrovicë/a, OSCE and other stakeholders, it was highlighted that informal collectors of recyclable materials perform a valuable service to the community by making sure that recyclable materials such as PET bottles and other plastics can be recycled.

Providing uniforms and transport vehicles to informal collectors is an important first step in recognizing their contribution to environment protection and recycling.¨says Nasuf Aliu, Director of Economic Development, Municipality of South Mitrovicë/a.

Most informal recycling is done by members of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities. Many families derive partial or all of their income from collecting waste, often with the participation of children. Informal collection is often done under hazardous conditions affecting the health of children and adults alike. Therefore, before signing the agreement for use of tricycles, all collectors participated in a training on health and safety in recycling, traffic safety and the negative consequences of child labour.

Supporting the work of informal collectors is one component of the project ‘Strengthening Social Inclusion and Economic Empowerment of marginalized groups in Mitrovicë/a’, funded by the European Union Office in Kosovo and implemented by the Danish Refugee Council. In addition, the project established a Social Entreprise, treciklo, which employs members of the Albanian and Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian community and is managed by RDA North. Treciklo buys PET, HDPE and aluminium cans from marginalized informal collectors. The Social Enterprise also pays the required 3% tax on materials purchased from informal collectors as required by Kosovo law.

In the coming weeks, Danish Refugee Council and the Municipality of South Mitrovicë/a are also piloting a collection scheme with households and schools co-funded by Sida. With funding from the European Union Office in Kosovo, separation containers will be placed with households, schools and the Municipal building to give citizens of South Mitrovicë/a the opportunity to recycle and support informal collectors at the same time.

The informal collectors will have access to the containers and receive fair payment from the Social Enterprise for the materials collected. Thus, collectors registered will take steps towards formal employment and the use of hazardous practices and child labour will be discouraged. Official recognition of the work carried out by collectors will also contribute to promoting a positive image of informal collectors and combat stigmatization.

DRC joins International Business College Mitrovica Career Day and Business Club event

IBCM invited DRC Mitrovicë/a to participate in their career event organized on 2 December 2015 hosted at the college’s north and south campuses. The purpose of the IBCM event was to gather employers, students and graduates in order to share information about employment opportunities, internship placements, trainings and professional networks. During the event students and graduates visited the employers' stands exhibiting goods/descriptions of the businesses to have discussions with business representatives on their business needs, job opportunities and internship placements.

Based on a long-term partnership and collaboration that was institutionalized by an MoU signed in 2013, DRC and IBCM are regularly supporting each other’s field and promotional activities. During this event DRC arranged its own stand and informed students interested in working in the humanitarian and NGO context, providing useful information about DRC project activities implemented in Mitrovicë/a region.   Additionally, all students were advised how to apply for internship opportunities offered by DRC and were able to hear first-hand experiences of the six interns who have already been engaged by DRC and completed their internships successfully.

For more information please refer to the IBCM web page:  http://ibcmitrovica.eu/ibcm-2nd-career-day-2015-and-business-club/  

Football tournament brings Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian youth together

On November 28th 2015, NGO “PRAM” with support from Mitrovicë/a Municipal Directorate for Culture, Youth and Sport, organized the first out of six football tournaments foreseen with the “Football School” subproject that PRAM is implementing within DRC’s “Support to Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in Mitrovicë/a” project financed by the Swedish Government.

Besides the team from “Football School”, NGO PRAM also invited 5 teams from Lipjan/Lipljane, Podujevë/o, Ferizaj/Urosevac, Shtime/Stimlje, and Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje. All the teams are from the Roma Ashkali and Egyptian communities.

“Football School” beat the team from Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje in the final match and won the tournament. The third place went to the team from Podujevë/o. The matches were refereed by Besart Halili and Sadik Rahmani who are members of the Association of Referees from Mitrovicë/a.

At the end, all three teams received medals and cups. Ishref Curolli (Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje team) was unanimously chosen as the best player of the tournament, and was rewarded with gratitude and a soccer ball. Nevzat Beluli (“Football School”, Mitrovicë/a)  was chosen as the top scorer of the tournament and received acknowledgment and a soccer ball, while the prize of “Fair Play” went to the team from Podujevë/o, who was rewarded with gratitude and a soccer ball. Read more on the event in the local online portal MitrovicaTopPress.

The next football tournament will be organized on 15 February 2016, celebrating Ashkali Day.

Capacity building initiative at the Social Business Incubator

In September 2015 DRC launched a call for applications for the DRC Economic Development Capacity Building Initiatives Fund. DRC received four qualified bids. The criteria for this bid were background experience for such trainings; extensive experience in provision of business and civic engagement trainings, experience of working with diverse communities and excellent communication skills in order to ensure that the technical knowledge is conveyed to the beneficiaries’ educational level. Following the evaluation of bids, Management and Development Associates was selected.

Activities to benefit the Social Business Incubator started in November 2015 and will last for six months, targeting three project beneficiary groups: SBI Board, SBI startups and public/private institutions in Mitrovicë/a. The targeted trainings implemented by MDA aim at building the target groups’ capacities in different sectors, such as: 1) Kosovo Legislation and Tax system, 2) Access to finance with focusing on business planning; 3) Local Economic Development Strategy and Management.

The Social Business Incubator is part of the Sida-funded ‘Support for Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Communities’ project.

Social Business Incubator provides preparatory vocational trainings to job-seekers in Mitrovicë/a

In August 2015, the DRC Social Business Incubator (SBI) offered three-month preparatory vocational training courses in carpentry, welding, high construction, low construction, auto mechanics and hairdressingto 25 (20 male and 5 female) job-seekers registered at the Regional Employment Office in Mitrovicë/a.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding between DRC and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW) it was foreseen that the most successful trainees will be referred to the Regional Vocational Training Center (RVTC) in Mitrovicë/a for further advanced trainings.

DRC SBI mentors in coordination with RVTC Mitrovicë/a have organized the testing of trainees in September and 10 candidates were referred to the Regional Employment Office Mitrovicë/a with the recommendation to continue with three-month advanced trainings in RVTC Mitrovicë/a. The 10 selected trainees started advanced trainings in October 2015.

Following the success of this round of preparatory trainings, DRC SBI and the Regional Employment Office Mitrovicë/a have held info sessions and started the registration process of new job-seekers.

In November, trainings started with a new group of 22 applicants; 19 of them are from RAE communities, Roma Mahalla and 2 Korriku/Sitnicko naselje(5 candidates are female) and 3 Albanians from north Mitrovicë/a. 

The Social Business Incubator is funded by Sida as part of the 'Support of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in Mitrovicë/a' project.

Women for Women International and DRC partner to support women's economic self-reliance in Roma Mahalla, Mitrovicë/a

In the beginning of September 2015, DRC invited experienced women NGOs from all over Kosovo to submit a proposal for a project aiming to enhance economic empowerment and design environmentally friendly activities for Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian women in Roma Mahalla, Mitrovicë/a. 

Following the assessment of applicants and evaluation of proposals received, Women for Women International based in Prishtinë/a was selected to implement the project “Fostering Self-Reliance among Roma, Ashkali & Egyptian Women in Mitrovicë/a".

On 29/10/2015, DRC signed a two-year contract with Women for Women International to provide targeted support and capacity-building for a Roma Mahalla-based women's NGO Gjuvljano Mangipe and to train 40 Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian women from Roma Mahalla and 2 Korriku/Sitnicko Naselje neighbourhoods in Mitrovicë/a on how to identify opportunities for income generation and manage their income efficiently.

NGO Gjuvljano Mangipe (GjM) is supported by DRC under the Sida project: Support for Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Communities in Mitrovicë/a. GjM is led by community members and is working towards establishing a social enterprise for handicrafts to support women's self-reliance. Work on expanding their online presence and establishing an online shop have already started and will continue with support from Women for Women International.

Health and environment lectures held at Learning Centre, Roma Mahalla

In line with the DRC ACTION PLAN for HANDOVER PROCESS of DRC’s Support for Roma, Ashkalia and Egyptian Communities Project, DRC partnered with the Main Center for Family Medicine to provide lectures various topics within health and environment awareness.The lectures are conducted by nurses from the Main Center for Family Medicine and are open to children, youths, women and men.  In these activities are included children, youth women/men. Eight lectures will cover the following topics

1. Health - First aid, maternal health, hygiene promotion; children’s health and prevention of infectious disease spreading;

2. Environment - Waste disposal, treatment and the risk to the environment and consequences of lead contamination and lead poisoning.

The lectures take place at the Learning Centre, Roma Mahalla, Mitrovicë/a.

Intensive education courses at the Learning Centre in Roma Mahalla, Mitrovicë/a show great results

As part of the Sida-funded project 'Support to Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in Mitrovicë/a', the Learning Centre in Roma Mahalla, Mitrovicë/a organized a certification ceremony for the participants of the subproject “Intensive education for RAE communities”.

Last year, 29 young adults from the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian community, who were unable to finish primary school or never attended school at all, signed up for intensive education classes in order to continue their education. As a result of their hard work, 20 participants including 9 women, successfully completed the courses and passed the achievement test organized by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in June 2015 in the Learning Centre Roma Mahalla.

Today, their efforts were recognized with an official certificate for the completion of primary school up to grade 5. The certification was organized by DRC Mitrovica implementing partner Caritas Kosova in cooperation with Directorate for Education in Mitrovicë/a and the primary school “Andon Zako Çajupi”.

With the certificates, the successful participants are now able to pursue further education and many of them have already committed themselves to continue with classes.

The Learning Centre provides psycho-educational support to children in need

As part of the Sida-funded project 'Support to Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in Mitrovicë/a', the Learning Centre in Roma Mahalla, Mitrovicë/a will provide children in need with psycho-educational support in order to better cope and overcome developmental difficulties.

Psychologists from Diakonie Kosova - Psychosocial Centre for Trauma Therapy, in cooperation with DRC's implementing partner LNGO RADC have assessed children between the ages of 6-14 and recommended 12 children, some of which have special needs, to participate in psycho-educational activities and group sessions.

For at least 8 weeks, the psychologists will work regularly with the children and focus on improving children's communication skills, behaviour and interaction with others and coping mechanisms to overcome traumatic experiences.

Sida and Danish Refugee Council continue to support the Kosovo Association of Blind People in Mitrovicë/a

With DRC support, the Association of Blind people from the Mitrovicë/a region”, marked “International White Cane Week“ from 15-22 October 2015, by organizing competitions for its members in braille literacy and blind chess.

The winners received gifts and a lunch was organized for more than 40 persons, including its members from Mitrovicë/a and Prishtina, Mitrovicë/a Municipal Authorities, OSCE and other stakeholders.

The President of the Association Mr. Skender Kerolli distributed certificates for the Municipality of Mitrovicë/a and DRC Mitrovicë/a for their continuing support.

Support to the Association is provided under the framework of the ¨Support to Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Communities in Mitrovicë/a¨project.

Mid-term evaluation tracks progress of Sida-funded project “Support to Roma, Ashkalia and Egyptian Communities in Mitrovicë/a”

During October 2015 DRC organized an internal mid-term project evaluation of the Sida funded “Support to Roma, Ashkalia and Egyptian Communities in Mitrovicë/a” Project.

In order to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the project components: education and economic development, and the handover process itself, DRC Kosovo has welcomed Mr. Mikkel Nedergaard - M&E expert from DRC HQ in Copenhagen.

From 19-22 October 2015, Mr. Nedergaard conducted intensive consultations with all relevant project stakeholders, by facilitating focus group discussions on education and economic development components and individual interviews with relevant parties, such as the Deputy Mayor of Mitrovicë/a municipality, NGO “RADC” Director and the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian leader.  

At the end of field activities Mr. Nedergaard facilitated a brainstorming session with DRC program staff and Country Director, where the status of the Action Plan for handover process and its benchmarks have been reviewed in detail while reflecting on progress, identified gaps, obstacles and concerns of the stakeholders.  

Mitrovicë/a Municipality and DRC sign contract for use of land for Social Enterprise

On 27 May, Mitrovicë/a Municipality and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) signed the contract for use of land and an agreement of cooperation for establishing Mitrovicë/a’s first Social Enterprise in recycling. The enterprise is part of the project "Social inclusion and economic empowerment of marginalized groups in Mitrovicë/a", funded by the European Union. 

The main activities of this project are the creation of a Social Enterprise for collection, processing and sale of recycled materials. The Social Enterprise facility will be constructed in the Business Park and managed by the Regional Development Agency (RDA) North as a project.

Mayor Bahtiri thanked the Country Director of DRC, Kristen Stec, for finding projects of common interest in his municipality. He pledged continued cooperation in the future for the realization of this and other projects that benefit the citizens of Mitrovicë/a.

On behalf of DRC, Ms Stec also thanked Mayor Bahtiri personally for his cooperation and the assistance of his staff during the implementation of this project.

The ‘Strengthening social inclusion and economic empowerment of marginalized groups in Mitrovicë/a’ is funded by the European Union and implemented by DRC.

AN EU FUNDED PROJECT MANAGED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION OFFICE IN KOSOVO