FOL Hapur with the candidates for the mayor of the municipality of Gjakova

Gjakova, 18 October 2017 – Lëvizja FOL has hold today FOL Hapur with the candidates for mayor of Gjakova, where was also published the analysis “Municipalities & Their role in youth employment”.

Jeton Zulfaj from the Lëvizja FOL said that FOL is holding a debate with candidates for mayor of Gjakova regarding the municipality’s influence on development and employment. He said that the research conducted by FOL results that municipalities can develop strategies and policies through subsidies and grants, tax incentives, and other policies to directly affect employment and economic development. “Municipalities can and should work on economic development plans and strategies, as they are responsible for licensing business activities, applying taxes and payments, providing infrastructure and basic education, and adopting regulations that affect economic development and the creation of jobs – said Mr. Zulfaj.

Mimoza Kusari-Lila, the candidate from Alternativa for mayor of Gjakova / Djakovica, said that the municipality of Gjakova has developed projects that have had direct impact on employment such as the grant scheme, the completion of dairy farm in Reka e keqe, assistance for the NGO “Thirrjet e Nënave” and “Shtëpia e Sigurt”. Municipality of Gjakova has received support from USAID’s project for transparency and accountability. The GIZ project has enabled the municipality to empower youth through a fair where there were 800 new jobs, and about 300 has contacted directly the companies. We have also received professional training and information from employers and jobseekers. “Qendra Bone Vet, the innovation center in Gjakova are just some of the steps taken in the service of innovation,” said Kusari-Lila, adding that with their program they plan to continue the grant scheme and create joint working spaces.

Fazli Hoxha from NISMA for Kosovo said that the Initiative as part of its program has the empowerment of young people. “Since there has so far been no room for developing a public-private partnership, we will be assured of increasing this potential. Grant allocation will be done equally, cooperating with businesses operating in Gjakova, and companies that will benefit will have the workforce from Gjakova, “said Hoxha.

Edmond Dushi from Aleanca Kosova e Re stressed that their work will be on raising awareness to young people’s to attend vocational schools. “It will be offered one-year practice for all new graduates in order to be the same as those who have had work experience, so the competition to be equal,” said Dushi, who promises that if he wins these elections he will open Center youth.

Bekim Ermeni from the Lidhja Demokratike e Kosovës said that if he comes to the head of the municipality of Gjakova, he will work to reduce the youth unemployment rate by promoting the professional training of young people, reducing informal employment or formalizing business.

Ardian Gjini from Aleanca për Ardhmërinë e Kosovës, said that it should be governed by the concept of budget investment rather than spending on it. Young people will be encouraged to innovate. “There will be work on granting scholarships for deficit directions so that students return to work in Gjakova,” Gjini said.

This activity was supported by Enhancing Youth Employment – EYE Project – project of the Swiss Cooperation Office and implemented by Helvetas Swiss Cooperation and MDA.