Employment opportunities for Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians are increasing in Kosovo

Progress is being recorded in Kosovo in employment, education and the social inclusion of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities. This was said at the opening of the 8th edition of the Multicultural Festival and Mobile Exhibition “KRAH,” where it was highlighted that more and more members of these communities are building professional careers.

Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that cultural diversity is part of Kosovo’s identity and one of its greatest values.

“It is a treasure that we must preserve, promote and pass on to younger generations.”

Kurti: Cultural diversity, one of Kosovo’s great treasures

“At that time, the festival was organized for just one day; it was an initiative with a great vision, but small in scale. Today, after eight years, we see how that vision has grown, expanded and turned into an important tradition for our country. The journey of this festival is proof that good ideas, when built on dedication, cooperation and faith in shared values, can have a long life and broad social impact. From a one-day activity, the festival has now become a space where cultures, communities, generations, professions and different forms of creativity come together. It has created a place for artisans, local businesses, women entrepreneurs, poets, young artists and representatives of all communities… The festival is not only a celebration, it is a reflection of how the Republic of Kosovo understands and builds itself as a democratic, open and inclusive state. Cultural diversity is part of our identity and one of Kosovo’s great treasures. It is a treasure that we must preserve, promote and pass on to younger generations,” Kurti said.

He stressed that the Government of Kosovo has taken concrete measures to advance equality and the inclusion of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities. According to him, in recent years around 2,000 scholarships have been allocated for students from these communities, and financial support has also been provided for learning centers.

Kurti: All citizens have an equal place in public life in Kosovo

“Our republic was built on the principle that all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, language, culture, religion or origin, have an equal place in public, social and institutional life. Therefore, advancing equality and the inclusion of all communities remains an inseparable part of our institutional commitment. This is reflected in concrete policies and measures aimed at expanding opportunities in education, employment, social support and participation in public life for all citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, because we are a state that was built on and believes in human rights, which unite universality and equality. In this regard, the Government of Kosovo has pursued and continues to pursue a sustainable approach to advancing equality and the inclusion of communities. This approach is not limited to declarations, but extends to concrete policies in education, employment, social support and institutional participation,” he said.

VoRAE Executive Director Isak Skenderi said that access to the labor market for these communities is now significantly greater than before.

Skenderi: When we began this journey, the challenges facing the communities were much greater

“When we began this journey, the challenges faced by the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities were much greater. Inequalities in education were pronounced. Employment opportunities were limited. Living conditions were often unacceptable, while discrimination continued to affect the daily lives of many families. Today, after 15 years, we can say with conviction that progress is possible and that investing in inclusion delivers concrete results. In the field of education, we have invested in models that have significantly helped narrow the gap and improve school participation and results between Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian children and the rest of society. The model of learning centers and scholarship programs for upper secondary school students, which were once initiatives supported by our partners, are now institutionalized mechanisms and part of Kosovo’s public policies,” he said.

According to Skenderi, investments in education have helped narrow the gap between Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian children and the rest of society, while learning centers and scholarship schemes have now been institutionalized as part of policies in Kosovo.

Skenderi: Employment opportunities are more accessible – many community members are building professional careers

“Through employment mediation, technical support and cooperation over the years with more than 300 businesses and companies, today we have a completely different reality from the one we had a decade ago. Employment opportunities are more accessible and more and more members of our communities are building professional careers, contributing to the country’s economy and securing well-being for their families.… But if I had to single out one success that goes beyond figures and statistics, it is the change in perceptions in our society. For decades, Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians have been seen through prejudice and negative stereotypes. Today we are living a different reality. Fewer and fewer citizens hesitate to have their children share the same classroom with Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian children, and more and more people are happy to have them as friends, neighbors or equal colleagues. And this change did not come about on its own. It is the result of years of dialogue, awareness-raising and communication. It is the result of the engagement of civil society, institutions, our partners and the media,” he said.

Skenderi also underlined that progress has also been made in housing, announcing that more than 500 families have secured access to hot water and dignified sanitary conditions.

The Multicultural Festival and “KRAH” Exhibition will continue with various cultural, artistic and promotional activities, with the aim of strengthening dialogue, understanding and cooperation among communities in Kosovo.