Context:
Women in Kosovo have fewer education and training opportunities than men and are therefore limited in their professional development. They are underrepresented in basic and general education, vocational training and labour market-oriented training, on the labour market and as start-up entrepreneurs. Only around 20 per cent of women have an income. This exacerbates economic inequality in rural areas, above all. Women from minority backgrounds, such as the Serbian minority in northern Kosovo, are particularly affected.
Objective:
The employment prospects for disadvantaged women in rural areas in Kosovo have improved.
Approach:
The project aims to expand economic opportunities for disadvantaged women in rural Kosovo. This particularly affects the 35 to 55 age group and women who have dropped out of education or have completed it and are unable to find initial or continuing training.
The project supports women in improving their employability and setting up and expanding small businesses in rural areas. Among other things, it provides training, advisory services and assistance with the regulation of unregulated work. It also develops gender-just financial support programmes. The project works with representatives of government and civil society.
At the same time, the project is promoting a nationwide communication campaign with the aim of changing the views of Kosovan society and making it more open to women’s participation in vocational training and work.