Pristina, 24 April, 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated and was the keynote speaker at the event organized by the Ministry of Finance, Labor and Transport with beneficiaries from non-majority communities of the “Kosova Generation Unlimited” program, paid internship.
Congratulating and thanking the team of the Ministry of Finance, Labor and Transfers, UNICEF, as well as all businesses that are members of the CSR network for launching this initiative, Prime Minister Kurti said that we are closer to fulfilling our commitment.
Prime Minister Kurti said that we know that there is a large number of young people who, in addition to not being at work, are neither in school nor in the faculty, nor in any training. 30% of young people aged 15 to 24 are in such a condition. However, in some of the non-majority communities in Kosovo, the percentage of young people without work, education or training is even higher than that.
The government has created the Inter-institutional Team for the Promotion of the Employment of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians, and has allocated a budget for scholarships for 500 students in high schools and public universities. Also, last week the Government announced to the citizens a new support package of 3 million euros, the beneficiaries of which will be all non-majority communities in Kosovo. This package will focus on creating new jobs in existing businesses, but also in new ones, as well as for farmers and small producers in rural areas.
Emphasizing the fact that from the joint launch of the K-GenU program we have more than 600 young beneficiaries and 500 registered businesses, Prime Minister Kurti said that we can see this readiness today in this hall from interns from non-majority communities, from media companies, from photography, graphic design, business for the production of ‘goji’ fruit and private clinics, as well as from NGOs for cultural, advocacy and volunteering activities for young people.
On the Superpuna platform, which offers employment opportunities for young people aged 18 to 25, for only 2 months, there are over 4,700 job vacancies, over 6,400 verified job seekers, over 3,700 registered businesses, and over 2,000 work relationships. Prime Minister Kurti said that we must tell all young people about these opportunities, so that we have as many registered as possible on both of these platforms, and especially on K-GenU, so that they also become part of the practical work with payment.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Honorable Head of UNICEF in Kosovo, Mrs. Nona Zicherman,
Honorable Deputy Prime Minister, Mrs. Emilija Rexhepi,
Dear Ministers Murati and Rashiq,
Dear representatives of businesses and non-governmental organizations,
Dear young interns,
Ladies and gentleman,
With our arrival in government, we started to realize our promises, that we will have employment and justice, as two priorities and that these will be for everyone.
With this initiative of K-GenU – Kosova Generation Unlimited, we are closer to fulfilling our commitment. And you here, are taking advantage of this opportunity to keep the practice, but also get paid at the same time. Allow me to congratulate and at the same time thank the team of the Ministry of Finance, Labor and Transfers, UNICEF, as well as all the businesses that are members of the CSR network for launching this initiative.
We know that Kosovo has continuously had problems with unemployment and has also had the youngest population continuously in Europe, that’s why we are proud to be with you today and have you from time to time, but at the same time we are very optimistic about your potential.
However, we know that there is a large number of young people who, in addition to not being at work, are neither in school nor in college, nor in any training. 30% of young people aged 15 to 24 are in such a condition. However, in some of the non-majority communities in Kosovo, the percentage of young people without work, education or training is even higher than that.
For this, the Government has created the Inter-institutional Team for the Promotion of the Employment of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians, and we have allocated a budget for scholarships for 500 students in high schools as well as in public universities. Also, last week we informed citizens about a new support package of 3 million euros, the beneficiaries of which will be all non-majority communities in Kosovo. This package will focus on creating new jobs in existing businesses, but also in new ones, as well as for farmers and small producers in rural areas.
With K-GenU, it is being proven that there is a desire among young people for employment and professional training, and that there is also interest from businesses and partner organizations to benefit from the energy, views, knowledge and new passions that these young interns have.
To date, from the joint launch of the K-GenU program, we have over 600 young beneficiaries and 500 registered businesses.
We can see this willingness today in this hall from the interns from non-majority communities, from media companies, photography, graphic design, business for the production of ‘goji’ fruit and private clinics, as well as from NGOs for cultural activities, advocacy and volunteering for young people. I know you came from Peja, Prizren, Partesh, Graçanica and Gjakova and maybe even further. But to all of you, to each and every one of you, congratulations for this new initiative and for this new job.
In addition to this initiative, the Government has also launched the Superpuna platform, which offers employment opportunities for young people between the ages of 18 and 25. For just 2 months, we have over 4,700 job vacancies, over 6,400 verified job seekers, over 3,700 registered businesses, and over 2,000 work relationships. Therefore, we invite you to take advantage of this opportunity, to register and find a job with a salary guaranteed by the state. From internship at K-GenU, to employment with Superpuna.
We need to tell all young people about these opportunities, so that we can have as many registered as possible on these two platforms, and especially on K-GenU, so that they also become part of paid practical work. I hope that, especially through you, this initiative reaches others, so that it is understood that Kosovo is a place of opportunities for young people, for non-majority communities, for everyone.
Thank you and now I am passing the floor to the Minister of Finance, Labor and Transfers, Mr. Hekuran Murati.
Last modified: April 25, 2023