ECMI Kosovo is at the forefront of economic empowerment, creating meaningful employment opportunities for marginalized communities across Kosovo. Our innovative projects address the need for sustainable livelihoods and economic development, offering immediate employment opportunities and fostering long-term economic resilience and growth.
Key Projects and Innovations:
– Fostering Youth Development and Employment through a Cross-Border Digital Entrepreneurship Academy:** Supported by the Delegation of the European Union in Albania, this project equips youth, including women and marginalized groups, with digital entrepreneurship skills, creating a vibrant ecosystem for young professionals and startups in Kosovo and Albania.
– Increasing Employment of Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian Communities Through a Recycling Collective:** With support from the European Union Office in Kosovo, this initiative promotes self-employment within the recycling sector for Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities, improving working conditions and environmental sustainability.
– Socio-Economic Reintegration for Minority Communities and Vulnerable Groups:** Funded by GIZ Kosovo, this project aims to ensure economic opportunities for minorities and vulnerable groups in Kosovo, promoting their social integration through training in self-employment, entrepreneurship, and soft skills.
Expanding Environmental Sustainability: The “Recycling Matters Activity” Initiative
Building on our efforts in the recycling sector, ECMI Kosovo has launched the “Recycling Matters Activity Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje” initiative, a significant expansion funded by USAID with a total budget of $2,000,000 over three years. This project aims to deliver sustainable livelihoods and increase socio-economic cohesion among the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian informal waste collectors (IWCs) in Kosovo.
Key Highlights:
– Industry-leading Approach: Facilitating sustainable recycling models led by the private sector in cooperation with communities, aiming for further replication beyond the municipality.
– Comprehensive Training: Training 76 informal waste collectors through models and campaigns focusing on health, safety awareness in recycling practices, and business opportunities through recycling initiatives.
– Community Empowerment and Environmental Sustainability: A recent meeting in the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian neighborhood in Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje emphasized the creation of an effective recycling model, with the Recycling Zone Company playing a crucial role in enhancing our recycling infrastructure.
– Feedback and Collaboration: Valuable insights from community members ensure our approach is rooted in real experiences, with a focus on improving lives through significant employment opportunities within the recycling sector.
Impact and Achievements:
– Enhanced employability and entrepreneurship skills among youth and marginalized communities, contributing to economic development and social inclusion.
– Establishment of sustainable practices in the recycling sector, improving the livelihoods of Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities.
– Supported policy dialogues and reforms to foster economic empowerment for marginalized communities.
Donors and Collaborative Efforts:
Our economic empowerment projects have been made possible through the generous support of the European Union Office in Kosovo, the Delegation of the European Union in Albania, GIZ Kosovo, and notably, USAID Kosovo for the “Recycling Matters Activity” initiative. These partnerships are instrumental in implementing our projects and achieving our objectives.
Conclusion:
At ECMI Kosovo, we believe in the power of economic empowerment for fostering community development and social cohesion. Our initiatives not only create employment opportunities but also empower individuals and communities towards building a better future. Our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and sustainability is at the heart of our efforts to make economic empowerment a reality for all in Kosovo.
