Kosovo Youth’s Newfound Life Skills Build Resilience in Their Communities

Originally published by USAID

It is essential that Kosovo youth have the skills necessary to take part in Kosovo’s democratic and economic future.  Acquiring soft and life skills helps youth become more resilient and makes it easier for them to form multi-cultural relationships and create trust between diverse communities.  USAID’s Up to Youth activity provides Kosovo youth with opportunities to form these skills that are not readily available in schools.  Deniz Hajrullahu, an energetic and enthusiastic 18-year-old participant from Mitrovicë Jugore/Južna Mitrovica, could not hide his enthusiasm about the new things he is learning.

“That must be one of my favorite soft skills, mastering the art of active listening and being able to listen without any prejudice!” says Deniz.  He is confident that life and soft skills can be even more important than technical skills for his future.  “It is important to focus as much on soft skills training and development as on traditional hard skills in order to take full advantage of our future professions, or just life in general,” a smiling Deniz said as he pointed out the gap between school curricula and life skills that the Up to Youth activity fills.

Deniz and other participants will design and lead various initiatives and activities over the coming years, providing solutions to community challenges on issues identified by the youth themselves and fostering resilience in their communities.  Through USAID’s Up to Youth activity, 485 Kosovo youth from nine municipalities are learning about soft and life skills in a series of training programs.  With USAID’s support, these youth will utilize their newfound skills to engage in meaningful ways and take on leadership roles in implementing youth-prioritized solutions to the challenges that their communities face.

Up to Youth is a five year Activity implemented by Global Communities and funded by United States Agency for International Development – USAID.