17 September 2021, Pristina
The Ministry of Local Government Administration (MLGA) in cooperation with its partners, the Embassy of Japan in Kosovo and the World Bank have launched the project “Municipalities for Youth in Kosovo” (M4Y) in a publicly organized ceremony strictly respecting the anti-Covid-19 measures. This event took place in the presence of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Mr. Albin Kurti, the Minister of MLGA, Mr. Elbert Krasniqi, Charge d’Affaires of the Japan Embassy in Kosovo, Mr. Mitsunori Ogasawara, Manager of the World Bank Office in Kosovo, Mr. Massimiliano Paolucci, mayors of selected municipalities, implementing partners and media.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti in his opening speech stated that “As a Prime Minister, I am happy that today we are sharing our common vision to create new opportunities for our youth, to support selected municipalities in collaborating with youth in addressing their local needs. We are happy that in this shared vision, we have found unparalleled support from our strategic partners. The Government will be cooperative and facilitate our common goals – advancing the role of youth in the country”.
Deputy Prime Minister Emilija Redzepi expressed the gratitude for the project donors and also pointed out that she is happy to be in this ceremony, while having in mind that this project was initiated during Kurti 1 government, and she is been very active on supporting and promoting it.
The Minister of Local Government Administration, Mr. Elbert Krasniqi thanked the Japanese Government and the World Bank, noting that “The Ministry of Local Government Administration has mobilized the support of partners, that during this difficult period facing the Covid-19 Pandemic, the capacity of the Ministry to be focused on achieving its strategic objectives, with a focus on supporting municipalities and the local youth community. Given that the average age of the population of Kosovo is 26 years old, with the highest concentration in the age group 15-24 years – this fact has pushed our institution to create opportunities that affect the capacity building of this age group. The “Municipalities for Youth” project is the best opportunity given to ten municipalities in supporting 3,000 young people from marginalized groups. This will enable the selected municipalities to address the socio-economic needs of young people through targeted initiatives and services and thus improve mutual cooperation”.
On the other hand, the Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy of Japan in Kosovo, Mr. Mitsunori OGASAWARA, stressed that “through the support received within the Japan Social Development Fund, the Japanese Embassy is pleased that Japan can support the youth in Kosovo to develop their problem analysis and problem-solving skills. Because those young people are the ones to shape the future of the country. By obtaining skills and actual experience of project management, we hope that they will become the agents to advance Kosovo in the near future”.
To further emphasize the importance of the youth project, the World Bank Country Manager for Kosovo, Mr. Massimiliano Paolucci stressed that “Municipalities for Youth is a timely intervention as it will enable beneficiary municipalities to expand their youth programs during a time of high budgetary pressures. I am encouraged by the Government’s and municipalities’ strong commitment to act as facilitators for marginalized youth’s empowerment and socioeconomic inclusion.”
The ceremony also emphasized that the “Municipalities for Youth in Kosovo” project, which was approved by the World Bank on September 20, 2019 will be implemented in ten municipalities that have been selected based on the results of the 2019 Municipal Performance Report, which shows the performance of municipalities in 19 areas of competence under their responsibility. The selected municipalities are: Gllogoc/Glogovac, Hani Elezit/Elez Han, Rahovec/Orahovac, Skenderaj/Skenderaj, Vushtrri/Vučitrn, Junik/Junik, Kaçanik/ Kačanik, Ferizaj/Uroševac, Ranillug/Ranilug and Zveçan/ Zvečan.
The M4Y project is a US$ 2.79 million grant financed by the Government of Japan through the support received under the Japan Social Development Fund administered by the World Bank.
The objective of M4Y is to improve the socioeconomic inclusion of at least 3,000 marginalized youth in vulnerable communities in Kosovo through youth-driven civic engagement and skills building activities. Ten (10) municipalities will benefit from capacity building and engage in a subgrants program which will allow them to expand their youth programs and better respond to local youth needs.
