by Arjeta Byci, NPO and Nora Gola, HSI Kosovo
Aspects of fragility
Kosovo’s economy is not able to provide enough jobs for its rapidly growing workforce for the following reasons: a) Weak labour demand by the private sector that only slowly becomes more dynamic; b) inadequate skills supplied by training and education systems; and c) insufficient matching services to link supply with demand.
Kosovo has the highest unemployment rates in the EU: 45 % of the workforce is unemployed, and 3 out of 4 youth have no job (73%). Furthermore, 4 out of 5 women have no job (81%). Every year 30’000 to 40’000 youth and young adults enter the labour market.
EYE increases job opportunities for Kosovo youth by matching their competences with the market needs:
- Labour market
- Skills & Knowledge market
- Skills development: skills/competences of job seekers meet demand of employer (= Outcome 1)
- Matching and guidance: services to improve access to more job opportunities (= Outcome 2)
- Entrepreneurship: investments that lead to job creation (= Outcome 3)
PROJECT APPROACH
Market approach (M4P) aiming at systemic changes for higher outreach and sustainability
Sectoral approach; focusing on sub-sectors with relevance to target group, potential for growth and leverage
Private sector led; working with market actors ready for innovation and growth to create more job opportunities
Facilitative approach to market development; catalyst role through indirect interventions stimulating market actors for changes in business practice and behaviour
Crosscutting themes: Actively seek to include minorities and women
Points of discussion
1. Considering Kosovo’s young population, it would be important to look for the employment opportunities outside Kosovo mainly because of limited absorption capacity of the local market.
2. As this project is very young and considering the systemic approach applied, it is difficult to foresee the future project influence in the market systems.
