The kick-off meeting under the Project “Education, Employment, Partnerships and Gender Equality: A Winning Formula for Roma in VET” (abbreviated name: WinForVET) implemented by Roma Education Fund (REF), Roma Versitas Albania (RVA) and Roma Versitas Kosovo*, and funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation, took place in International Hotel Tirana on 12 November 2020. The initiative was open for online presentations and guests via Zoom.
Among the notable speakers were representatives of Albanian governmental bodies, such as Nina Guga, Deputy Minister of Education, Sports and Youth; Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Mimoza Hasani, Specialist from the Directory of Employment and Vocational Training Policies; Aida Kureta, Expert for Data Analyst, and Gertiola Cepani, Officer in Employment Services, both from National Agency for Employment and Skills.
The project operates in seven cities in Albania, also on a regional level such as in Tirana, Elbasan, Fier, Berat, Korca, and Gjirokaster. Two age groups are in the focus of the intervention: Roma young people of age 14 -18 and young adults 18 -28 years old who are offered vocational education and training, as the idea is to foster their employability and support them in preparations to do well in a job market. The young adults, who are certified with secondary school but are jobless, are also invited to apply as project beneficiaries.
Roma Versitas Albania is to soon close the first phase of the application process under WinForVET project, said Emiliano Aliu, the Director of RVA. The organization received over 100 applications of young Roma and Egyptians. Throughout the project, RVA is expected to reach the total number of 150 beneficiaries.
“According to the statistics of the National Agency for Employment and Skills in Albania, 42% of the Roma job seekers are with professional skills which equal elementary school level. Therefore, WinForVET is more than welcome and essential at this moment, for both enhancing the vocation skills of secondary schoolers and young adults out of jobs”, pointed out Marsela Taho, REF Country Facilitator for Albania.
WinForVET’s objective is to be the project which reflects the needs of diverse Roma groups and support from state institutions, partners and other stakeholders, going along this path with REF and the implementing Roma Versitas centers, will be vital for the positive outcomes.
“Only when we recognize the complexities of a group, and Roma population is quite diversified and heterogenous, we, as project implementers, are able to address their needs in an organic way. We are striving to tailor our approach according to the project beneficiaries we are working with expand REF’s approach to addressing issues of this particular target group”, stated Sibina Golubovic, the project manager.
Redjepali Chupi, Co-Director of REF, in his online address said that the project marks REF’s first cooperation with Austrian Development Cooperation, a donor that has fully recognized REF’s mission and vision.
He added: “The initiative has a strong link with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, by ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, and promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all”.
The Deputy Minister of Education, Sport, and Youth, Nina Guga, stated the Ministry’s appreciation of the work and commitment of both Roma Versitas Albania and Roma Education Fund in their mission to support the education of young Roma. The Ministry is committed to continuing its support in contributing to the education of Roma, Guga said.
A Commissioner from the Ombudsman Office talked about the institutional experience with the Roma minority in the country. The Commissioner highlighted the openness of the institution and its readiness to receive complaints from the Roma in case their rights are violated. During her speech, the commissioner brought about some important issues such as the tendency for segregation in some schools in Albania.
Forming an unified forefront for developing vocational education and training skills, certification and employment among Roma young people and young adults in Albania and Kosovo, is what is anticipated by the joint involvement and collaboration among public sectors and professionals in both project countries, local and regional institutions of government, local CSOs and activists, international organizations and monitoring agencies.
Project “Education, Employment, Partnerships and Gender Equality: A Winning Formula for Roma in Vocational Education and Training”, is implemented by Roma Education Fund (REF), Roma Versitas Kosovo (RVK) and Roma Versitas Albania (RVA) and funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation
Austrian Development Cooperation supports countries in Africa, Asia, South Eastern and Eastern Europe in their sustainable development.
The Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and International Affairs plans the strategies. The Austrian Development Cooperation implements programs and projects together with public institutions, civil society organizations as well as enterprises.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
