Dear fellow citizens from among non-majority communities in our Republic,
As we approach the end of 2023, I hope you are all safe and sound and ready to welcome a new year with your loved ones.
I believe that we have things to celebrate from the Government’s activities during 2023 for all citizens, but also some that are specifically related to the non-majority communities of Kosovo.
In addition to investing in education for all children and students, we have created opportunities especially for non-majority communities. For Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities that have traditionally been underrepresented in high schools and higher education, we have provided scholarships that have benefited 498 high school students, along with 55 students in public colleges. I met with many of them this month to hear from them about their achievements and dreams.
During 2023, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports has doubled the financial support for communities. Through public appeals, we have supported 88 projects, the total value of this support reaches over 400 thousand euros. Through the publication of books and magazines, as well as author support, 10 books have been published in the languages of non-majority communities this year.
In addition to education, we have made sure that there is as much inclusion of young people as possible in sports. Students from different non-majority communities have become part of programs such as “Art in School”, “Drejt Malit” and “Kosova State of Judo”.
Meanwhile, in addition to creating the platform www.raportodiskriminimin.org for reporting and responding to cases of discrimination of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, we have provided support for the children of these communities during compulsory schooling with 200,000 Euros for educational centers. This month we created an inter-agency task force on early marriage prevention and reporting because we don’t want any girl or boy to drop out of school.
This year we have restarted the process of verifying the diplomas of the University of North Mitrovica, thus offering more new employment opportunities to the holders of these diplomas. We have also prepared the legal basis for the expansion of the commission’s work in order to include the verification of high school diplomas from next year.
Employment is commitment and priority. Employment brings well-being and integration. For young people, internships preceded employment. Through the Kosova Generation Unlimited program, we have offered paid internships for young people. 9% of paid interns through this program come from the ranks of non-majority communities, this percentage is representative in relation to the entire population.
For the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, we have continued working with the inter-institutional team to respect quotas and employ them in public institutions.
Another area where we have invested is compliance with the law on the use of languages. We have created the legal basis for the Office for the Control and Harmonization of Languages within the Office of the Prime Minister so that in 2024 we have quality translation of laws and by-laws in both official languages of Kosovo. We have invested in the Balkan Studies Program at the University of Pristina for the training of future translators. Being aware of the importance of the Office of the Commissioner of Languages, we have ensured that its budget is tripled for the coming year for projects with NGOs that work directly in ensuring the full implementation of the Law on Languages.
Investments in infrastructure have not been lacking either. The total value of the planned capital investments for the Serbian majority municipalities in the country was over 12 million euros. Through the Ministry for Local Government Administration, 1 million euros have been allocated for infrastructural projects for non-majority communities, and 3 million euros for the construction or renovation of houses of non-majority communities in municipalities. This program is expected to continue next year. Together with the funds from the Ministry for Communities and Returns, there are a total of 618 families from non-majority communities who have had funds allocated for new or renovated houses.
This year, for the first time, we allocated a special fund for non-majority communities in the amount of 3 million euros. With them, through the Ministry for Communities and Return, we financed 259 grants for farmers, enterprises and NGOs in order to promote employment in these communities.
The results and achievements of 2023 for us will be motivation for the year ahead. Our government serves with you and for you. Therefore, I invite you to cooperate with us as much as possible.
I wish you all health and happiness from time to time, and for many more times. Happy new year from me and our Government!
Last modified: January 5, 2024