YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, PARTICIPATION, AND PROFESSIONAL READINESS IN KOSOVO*

Joshua HarveyLead, UNICEF Innovations Lab Kosovo

*Kosovo is mentioned here and thereafter in the context of UNSC Resolution 1244

INTRODUCTIONKOSOVO CONTEXTPRINCIPLESYOUTH AS PARTNERSTHE PROGRAMMELAB STRUCTURE

KOSOVO CONTEXT

POVERTY35% of Kosovo’s population lives in poverty; 12% in extreme poverty.

POST-CONFLICT SETTINGEthnic tension and social exclusion are pervasive; status issue presents barriers to economic, educational opportunity.

YOUTH BULGE50% of Kosovo’s population is under 28 years; 28% is under 15 years.

UNEMPLOYMENT35% of Kosovo youth (15-24 years) are not employed, in education, or in training (NEET). Unemployment amongst Kosovo youth (15-24 years) exceeds 55%. Employment in low value-add, tertiary sectors; poor education outcomes.

DISENFRANCHISEMENT55% of surveyed youth feel they have “little” or “no” opportunity to influence decision-making around issues of significance to young people. Less than 15% (10-24) participate in youth activities.

PRINCIPLES

UNICEF Innovation Principles1. Design with the user

2. Understand the existing ecosystem

3. Design for scale

4. Build for sustainability

5. Be data driven

6. Use open standards, open data, open source, open innovation

7. Reuse and improve

8. Do no harm

9. Be collaborative

Kosovo Lab Principles1. Hand over the marker

2. Making matters

3. Grit is great

4. Expertise is fluid

5. Build for the hardest to reach

6. Define the problem so well that the solution becomes obvious

7. Leave the blue baggage at home

8. Be honest

9. Change comes from everywhere

YOUTH AS PARTNERS

Article 6: the inherent right to life. Article 7: the right from birth to a name, the right to acquire a nationality and, as

far as possible, the right to know and be cared for by his or her parents. Article 13: the right to freedom of

expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of

frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print Article 14: respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience

and religion. Article 28: the right of the child to education, and with a view to achieving this right progressively and

on the basis of equal opportunity Article 32: the right of the child to be protected from economic exploitation.

Convention on the Rights of the Child

YOUTH AS PARTNERS

Article 6: the inherent right to life. Article 7: the right from birth to a name, the right to acquire a nationality and, as

far as possible, the right to know and be cared for by his or her parents. Article 13: the right to freedom of

expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of

frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print Article 14: respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience

and religion. Article 28: the right of the child to education, and with a view to achieving this right progressively and

on the basis of equal opportunity Article 32: the right of the child to be protected from economic exploitation.

Convention on the Rights of the Child

THE LAB PROGRAMME

DESIGN CENTREIn-house technology and design consultancy

BY YOUTH FOR YOUTHReadiness through experiential learning--youth-led social ventures

YOUTH ADVOCACY PLATFORMParticipation through youth-led public and policy advocacy

LAB STRUCTURE

Logistics Officer (IP) Finance Officer (IP)

DESIGN CENTRE Designer Centre Officer Senior Developer Senior Developer Junior Developer Junior Developer

BY YOUTH FOR YOUTH BYFY Coordinator (IP) Youth-led Project Officer (IP)

YOUTH ADVOCACY PLATFORM YAP Coordinator YCAP Officer (IP)

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

Social Media Mobilization Officer Visual Communications Consultant

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

LAB LEAD

BY YOUTH FOR YOUTHOBJECTIVESTHE MODELIN PRACTICE

OBJECTIVES BY YOUTH FOR YOUTH

INCREASED PROFESSIONAL READINESS

INCREASED GRIT AND RESILIENCE

COMMUNITY ORIENTATION AND VOLUNTEER SERVICE

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH

Problem SolvingManagement of Organizational Processes

CommunicationProfessional Conduct/Relationship Management

THE MODEL BY YOUTH FOR YOUTH

Project review and selectionCamp

Budget finalization and contracting

Phase 2

Camp

Mentorship and monitoring

ImplementationReporting and evaluation

Phase 3

Implementation

Outreach and Mobilization

Design Thinking Workshops

Idea submission, review, and selection

Phase 1

Mobilization

IN PRACTICE BY YOUTH FOR YOUTH

LOKALIZO

YOUTH ADVOCACY PLATFORM

OBJECTIVESTHE MODELIN PRACTICE

OBJECTIVES YOUTH ADVOCACY PLATFORM

INCREASED CAPACITY TO INFLUENCE DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES

INCREASED INCLUSION IN POLICY FORMULATION

IMPROVED FLUENCY IN RIGHTS AND ENTITLEMENTS

INCREASED REALIZATION OF RIGHT TO CONVENE, DEBATE, EXPRESS DISSENT, AND MAINTAIN MEMBERSHIP AND LEADERSHIP IN YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS

COMMUNITY ORIENTATION AND VOLUNTEER SERVICE

THE MODEL YOUTH ADVOCACY PLATFORM

Advocacy plan development

Policy advocacy Training

Connecting with duty-bearers

Phase 2

Policy Advocacy

Campaign implementation

Campaign development

Reporting and evaluation

Phase 3

Campaign

Community Needs Assessment Training

CNA Implementation

Data Analysis

Phase 1

Needs Assessment

IN PRACTICE YOUTH ADVOCACY PLATFORM

FERIZAJ

RESULTSRESULTS TO DATECAPTURING IMPACT

RESULTS TO DATEBYFY123 youth led projects460 youth leaders10,000+ claimants reached

YAP5 YCAP campaigns89 youth leaders1,313 claimants reached

OverallRevised internship/apprenticeship programme with University of PrishtinaAccess to youth rights and violations reporting via OIK

6,625 claimants reached

CHALLENGES & LESSONS LEARNED

CHALLENGESLESSONS LEARNED

CHALLENGES

CAPTURING IMPACT

INTEGRATION OR “SO YOU WANT INNOVATION BUT YOU DON’T WANT TO CHANGE?”

IT'S A PARTY AND EVERYONE’S HERE BUT INSTITUTIONS

WHERE DOES CHANGE COME FROM (Hint: It’s not the top.)

LESSONS LEARNED

MEET YOUNG PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE

BE FLEXIBLE IN EVERYTHING BUT YOUR GOALS

AUTHENTIC EMPOWERMENT MEANS LETTING YOUTH DRIVE

HAVING (OR BECOMING) THE RIGHT PEOPLE IS VITAL

THE LONG CON

CHANGED APPROACHES NEED BREATHING ROOM

Thanks!