UNICEF and the Austrian Development Agency partner to shape a brighter future for youth in Kosovo

Prishtina, 14 December 2023 – Today UNICEF in Kosovo and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation, renewed their partnership for an additional three years to empower more adolescents and young people.

The partnership will expand opportunities for adolescent girls and boys in Kosovo to develop essential skills for life and work and enable them to actively contribute as agents for social change within their communities. Notably, the partnership will also support grassroots organizations working with youth, and seeks to change gender norms that may discourage young women and men from pursuing opportunities traditionally associated with a specific gender.

UNICEF, with the generous support of its strategic partner ADA, aims to impact the lives of 12,500 adolescents and young people in this latest phase. The collaboration will amplify their voices, build their capacities to engage actively in decision-making, and equip them with enhanced skills to navigate personal, social, and economic challenges successfully.

The key partnership areas are:

Implementation of an improved skills-based curriculum- Capacity development in both formal and non-formal settings which will equip youth with the critical skills required for active participation in the evolving labor market;

Expanded support for school-to-work transition - through the Kosovo Generation Unlimited programme young people will gain their first work experience and enhance their employability through access to paid internships, mentoring, and training;

Strengthened digital and ICT skills- Interventions which will prepare youth, especially young women, for the demands of a technology-driven future.

ADA and UNICEF have partnered in Kosovo since 2012 to support and empower adolescents and young people, reaching over 40,000 youth to date with skills development and experiential learning opportunities.

UNICEF and ADA are committed to fostering positive change and unlocking the potential of Kosovo's youth through this renewed partnership. By addressing key areas such as 21^st century skills development and school-to-work transitions, and by challenging gender norms, the partnership aspires to create a lasting impact on the lives of young people in Kosovo.