Projects
Action Against Discrimination for All – AADA
Project Description
The overall objective of this project is to ensure that all youngsters are treated with full respect for their dignity and rights by promoting supportive environment and anti-discrimination policies in schools and society. Project results- Improved capacity of upper secondary schools and responsible municipal authorities to deal with discrimination and hate speech in school environment.
- Improved skills of youngsters, to support their peers at risk, and counter hate speech and discrimination
- Increased sensitivity of the general public to the discrimination and hate speech against vulnerable groups.
- Establish 15 School Clubs;
- Build capacity of 15 partner upper secondary schools to deal with all forms of discrimination and hate speech;
- Implement Peer Mediation and counter hate speech methodologies in partner schools;
- Support school authorities to establish an efficient system of responding to discrimination cases within school environment.;
- Organize three rounds of summer school based on PONDER Methodology;
- Support 15 Schools Clubs to produce digital content to promote counter hate speech and discrimination;
- Develop and populate official social media channels/profiles of partner schools;
- Organise social campaigns to raise public awareness through dissemination of the digital content produced by Kosovo youngsters;
- Organise a national closing event.
View Project
Implementation Period |
01/02/2023 |
Budget |
214,400.32 € |
Partners and Donors |
European Union |
Personnel |
Ardita Kabashi |
Supporting Education through Advocacy and Research-Based Contribution
Project Description
The purpose of this project is to support education in Kosovo through advocacy initiatives based on research reports conducted during the project. The project also aims to initiate public discussions on issues of importance in the field of education. Main objective of the project: Advocacy and contribution to policy-making in the field of education. Project results:- Research-based contribution to policy-making processes
- Increased influence in policy-making through advocacy initiatives
- Developed capacities of KITU coalition members
View Project
Implementation Period |
01/01/2023 |
Budget |
188,800 € |
Partners and Donors |
Fondacioni i Kosovës për Shoqëri të Hapur (KFOS) |
Personnel |
Besjan Haziri |
Higher Education Intervention 2025 – HEI’25
Project Description
The outcome of this Project is that (1) the Kosovo higher education becomes more democratic and indicates improvement of legislation and increased inclusiveness of students in decision-making processes, while (2) public higher education institutions (HEIs) are internally competitive. In the long term, the Project aims to contribute to the improved quality, effectiveness, and competitiveness of the higher education sector with the ultimate goal to foster social and economic development of the country. The Project has six (6) outputs, defined in terms of expected results, as follows: Output 1. Increased usage of digital services and workflows by the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA) and improved credibility of the accreditation process. Output 2. Established Ranking System of public higher education institutions. Output 3. Improved performance of HEIs in preventing academic misconduct. Output 4. Improved transparency and efficiency of work processes in the National Academic Recognition Information Center (NARIC) Kosova. Output 5. Enhanced capacity of junior faculty members (teaching assistants and/or post-docs) to carry out research-based teaching with an emphasis on gender equality in research. Output 6. Increased democracy in HEIs through student activism that also ensures inclusion and gender equality.View Project
Implementation Period |
01/11/2022 |
Budget |
1,400,000 € |
Partners and Donors |
|
Personnel |
Edita Buçinca |
Kosovo Innovating Social Transformation (KIST)
Project Description
The main aim of the project is promoting comprehensive digital literacy for educational purposes and for lifelong professional and personal development of digital natives, in order to increase critical and active participation in civic life and boost resilience in the 21st century. Project results- Students are able to tell real from fake news and misinformation from real information, after having acquired the capacity to make informed decisions based on verification and validity of sources.
- Lower secondary school students capacitated to create projects and tell human-interest visual stories focused on positive alternatives and inspirational counter-narratives to hate speech.
- Teachers respond more adequately to student needs, and adjust their teaching in keeping with 21st century educational exigencies.
View Project
Implementation Period |
01/06/2022 |
Budget |
107,710 € |
Partners and Donors |
Embassy of the Netherlands in Kosovo Dokufest |
Personnel |
Granit Brajshori |
Digitalized school environment to support teachers and students as lifelong learners
Project Description
Output 1: Improve the capacity of schools and teachers to provide quality and inclusive teaching and learning for all children Output 2: Improve the quality and effectiveness of the digital learning environment and the use of digital tools Project activities: 1.1 Establish project working group 1.2 Support adaptation of teaching materials (for grades 1-9) based on the students learning needs 1.3 Develop TOT training modules for schools 1.4 Conduct TOT training with the selected education staff for grades 1-9. 1.5 Selection of the schools 1.6 Conduct capacity building of teachers on digital technology use for inclusive pedagogy in selected municipalities. 2.1 Develop additional learning materials (test, quizzes, video materials, presentations) 2.2 Organize monitoring and mentoring visits to schools involved in the project 2.3 Disseminate and share & Regional ConferenceImplementation Period |
01/02/2022 to 31/12/2022 |
Budget |
59,935.75 € |
Partners and Donors |
UNICEF |
Personnel |
Sofije Toska |
Innovating Development for Education Advancement – IDEA 2022
Project Description
The program IDEA 2022 (Innovating Development in Education Advancement) is funded under the Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) signed between Kosova Education Centre (KEC) and the European Union Office in Kosovo (EUOK) in November 2019. The action in question is an integral part of KEC Strategy 2020-2024, which aims to improve quality and accountability in education through involvement in advocacy and policymaking. In parallel, this FPA requires synergy with other actors in the field of education, and KEC has over two decades of experience in partnerships with civil society actors, government agencies and donor communities. This is a crucial aspect of the current project, as it goes directly towards fulfilling the objectives of Component I (Identification and Outreach) and it lays the groundwork for the objectives of Component II (Contribution and Impact). Project activities - Develop a plan to organize a series of education podcasts to identify and analyse education issues - Conduct a series of podcasts according to the plan - Establish a SCO advocacy platform: Education Podcast Society (EPS) - Engage in advocacy initiatives targeting improvements in education sector - Provide structured contribution to policymaking processesImplementation Period |
01/01/2022 to 31/12/2022 |
Budget |
45,872.50 € |
Partners and Donors |
European Union |
Personnel |
Inclusion and Equity for Roma children and families – KRAEEYN 4
Project Description
This project aims to strengthen and position the REYN Initiative as a cohesive, innovative, competent, influential, and participative international community of national networks of professionals, paraprofessionals and practitioners well-equipped to meet the needs of Roma communities, advocating for more supportive and inclusive EU policies and working to ensure quality, inclusive and non-discriminatory support for the early childhood development to all Roma children (from birth to 10) living in 11 countries in Europe where National REYNs operate and beyond. Project’s objectives:- Strengthening the sustainability of the REYN Initiative and its community, its sense of belonging, ownership, and professionalism, and its positioning in the international and national arenas by undertaking coordinated and pertinent actions and building on strengths of each National REYN and of REYN community as a whole.
- Enhancing the inclusiveness and integration of early childhood services, strengthening the role of Roma parents, and supporting them in their parental roles to provide nurturing care in the home environment.
- Diversifying the ECD workforce, supporting the professionalization of Roma and advocating for programmatic and structural solutions for building the in-country Roma ECD workforce
View Project
Implementation Period |
01/06/2021 |
Budget |
34,463 € |
Partners and Donors |
|
Personnel |
Sofije Toska |
Quality, Accountability and Inclusiveness in Education 2021
Project Description
The one-year program “Quality, Accountability and Inclusiveness in Education 2021” is funded by the European Union Office in Kosovo under the Partnership Framework Agreement signed between Kosova Education Center (KEC) and the EU Office in November 2019. This program is an integral part of the KEC 2020 - 2024 Strategy and as such aims to improve quality and accountability through involvement in policy making and advocacy, monitoring the implementation of policies, conducting research in the field of education, and organizing public discussions. In this aspect, the program is organized in two components: 1) Research and Monitoring and 2) Policy Making and Advocacy. Project activities: 1.1. Develop a detailed plan for conducting research on education issues including monitoring of reforms and other developments in the Education Sector 1.2. Conduct research according to the plan and publish reports 2.1. Initiate and organize public discussions on relevant issues in the Education Sector 2.2. Undertake and engage in advocacy initiatives targeting improvements within the Education Sector 2.3. Network and coordinate activities with other CSOs and relevant stakeholders, particularly those focusing on the Education Sector The duration of the program is January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021.View Project
Implementation Period |
01/01/2021 |
Budget |
46,653 € |
Partners and Donors |
European Union |
Personnel |
Connected through mobility
Project Description
The project’s overarching goal is to introduce international vocational mobility programmes to four countries in the Western Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Montenegro and Kosovo. Project aims- Improvement of VET systems and
- Their alignment with the needs of the labour market
- Help schools in the WB countries build capacity for international cooperation, particularly with regard to learners and staff mobility
- Initiate and promote the dissemination of know-how for international and cross-sectoral cooperation
- Improve the WB VET sector’s alignment and cooperation with the labour market.
View Project
Implementation Period |
01/01/2021 |
Budget |
77,848.72 € |
Partners and Donors |
European Union |
Personnel |
Ardita Kabashi |
Youth Empowerment Enabling Prospects – YEEP
Project Description
The project focuses on improved employment prospects and active participation in the labor market of vulnerable and disadvantage youth in the municipality of Gjilan. YEEP goals of the project include:- To address the needs of young people who grow up in alternative care and families confronted with socio-economic exclusion;
- To improve current conditions pertaining to youth empowerment, employment prospects and active participation in the labor market of vulnerable youth;
- To achieve synergies in the delivery of services to the benefit of young people directly or through local actors to use a comprehensive, holistic and effective methodology in their work with young people at risk;
- To increase social and personal skills for socio-economic integration of vulnerable young people (at least 40% female)
- To increase political decision-makers’ awareness of the needs of vulnerable youth, in order to formulate and implement support strategies for the socio-economic integration of vulnerable youth;
- To promote the advocacy capacities of young people and their rights to socio-economic integration and employment, in order to create a positive and supportive environment in which young people can prosper, exchange experiences and interact socially;
- To combat youth unemployment by implementing concrete actions and developing recommendations for actions, shared with decision-makers.
Implementation Period |
01/07/2020 to 30/06/2022 |
Budget |
48,178 € |
Partners and Donors |
German Cooperation Deutsche Zusammenarbeit SOS-Kinderdörfer Weltweit SOS fshatrat e fëmijëve Kosovë |
Personnel |
Hana Zylfiu-Haziri |
Action for Reducing Inequalities in Education – ARISE
Project Description
Research shows that poverty affects cognitive development of children more than factors such as parents’ education or parents’ cognitive abilities. Poor and low SES children perform significantly worse than their middle-class peers on many indicators of academic success such as: test scores, grade retention, course failures, high school graduation rate, high school dropout rate and completed years of schooling. The ARISE – Action for Reducing Inequalities in Education – project is a platform created by a pool of NEPC members NGOs and research institutes from Western Balkans and Turkey (IPA countries) that will support schools, grassroots organisations and policy makers in developing actions and policies aimed at mitigating the effect of low socio-economic status on students’ achievement, reducing inequalities in education. 25 schools will receive support to implement a 2-year school development programme, based on whole school approach and mentoring, to reduce disparities of poverty. Consortium members will support schools to develop sustainable practices in that direction, including school staff training, school projects, school policies, community involvement. The project foresees the following results:- social mechanisms and institutional effects related to inequality identified at national and regional level
- increased awareness among policy makers and educational stakeholders on the effect of SES on schooling and well-being of children
- local grassroots organisations empowered for advocacy and project design
- impact of poverty on school achievement and overall well-being of low SES students in 25 schools alleviated
View Project
Implementation Period |
01/03/2020 |
Budget |
1,183,217.00 € |
Partners and Donors |
European Union |
Personnel |
Together Against Child Abuse – TACA
Project Description
The overall objective of this project is to ensure that all children are treated with full respect for their dignity and rights by promoting abuse-free environment in Kosovo schools. The aim of the project is to protect school children from abuse and minimize the effects of abuse experience by improving individual and institutional capacities for abuse prevention and support to victims. Project results 1. Improved capacity of schools and responsible authorities to deal with abuse-related risks. 2. Improved ability of pupils, teachers and parents to prevent child abuse in schools and respond to abuse in an appropriate way. 3. Increased sensitivity of the general public to the child abuse problem. Project activities 1.1 Build capacity of targeted municipalities authorities and schools to deal with cases of child abuse; 1.2 Support municipal authorities to establish an efficient system of responding to the abuse in targeted schools; 1.3 Provide awards and recognition to schools modelling exemplary abuse-free environments; 2.1 Develop e-learning courses on abuse prevention and response to abuse for pupils, teachers and parents by piloting them in targeted municipalities; 2.2 Provide courses on abuse prevention and response to abuse through e-learning platform to pupils, teachers and parents all over Kosovo; 3.1 Organize social campaigns to raise public awareness of abuse-related risks and disseminate information on good practices; 3.2 Organize a national conference on abuse prevention as final event of the project.View Project
Implementation Period |
01/02/2020 |
Budget |
235,498.44 € |
Partners and Donors |
European Union |
Personnel |
Ardita Kabashi |
Technical support for municipalities to implement the Action Plans for educational reintegration and social inclusion of repatriated children, members of ethnic minorities, and children with special educational needs
Project Description
The overall objective of this project is to strengthen the capacities of targeted municipalities to create a suitable environment for implementation of legal framework towards reintegration of repatriated children in educational system through advocacy, coordination, facilitation, coaching, capacity building, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning activities Project outputs Output 1 – “Increased capacity of municipalities and effective reintegration measures among municipal mechanisms”. Output 2 – “School communities have capacity to ensure reintegration of repatriated children through implementation of the inclusive school approaches”. Project activities 1.1. Kick-of event for each municipality; 1.2. Provide regular technical support in implementation of Action Plans; 1.3. Enhancing cross-sector collaboration; 2.1. Capacity building for school staff to address school drop-out; 2.2. Capacity building for schools’ staff to address specific needs of vulnerable groups, especially of repatriated children; 2.3. Capacity building for teachers to implement supplementary language classes for repatriated children; 2.4. Enhancing cooperation between municipalities, schools, civil society and community 2.5. Community Mediation activities; 2.6. Monitoring of Implementation of Action Plans; 2.7. Generating good practice examples and making them available to other schools through a platform for exchange – workshop and general public through a final event of the project.View Project
Implementation Period |
01/11/2019 |
Budget |
84, 410 € |
Partners and Donors |
GIZ |
Personnel |
Empowering Youth for a Peaceful, Prosperous, and Sustainable Future in Kosovo
Project Description
Output 1: By the end of project, teachers and children’s from 20 schools in selected municipalities will have the knowledge and skills to deal with conflict through conflict resolution and peer mediation methodologies. Output 2: By the end of the project, capacities of school officials are strengthened to monitor and support children to implement conflict resolution and Peer mediation methodologies. Output 3: Strengthened cooperation among local participated schools and local authorities to share good practices and promote peaceful, prosperous and sustainable environment for youth Project activities: A1.1. Develop a project information sheet and visibility materials to share with stakeholders A1.2. Identify 20 schools from the targeted municipalities region as a target schools of the project A1.3. Deliver trainings to school staff based on the “Conflict resolution program” A1.4. Deliver training to school staff based on the “Peer Mediation Program” A2.1. Organize monitoring and mentoring visits to schools involved in the project” A2.1. Organize training for officials to maintain monitoring and mentoring framework A3.2. Organize 2 multi-ethnic camps to finalize project idea on how to disseminate the idea of conflict resolution and peer mediation A3.3. Implementing schools based initiatives through school grants A3.4. Organize closing event (fair) in PrishtinaView Project
Implementation Period |
01/08/2019 |
Budget |
84, 410 € |
Partners and Donors |
UNICEF |
Personnel |
Quality, Accountability, Integrity and Transparency in Higher Education (QAINT)
Project Description
The project “Quality, Accountability, Integrity and Transparency in Higer Education (QAINT)” aims at aligning the Kosovo higher education system with international standards of quality, transparency, integrity and accountability. The long-term Impact of the Action is improved quality and competitiveness of the higher education sector which contributes to social and economic development of the country. Project outputs: Output 1. Enhanced capacity of the KAA to monitor providers of higher education and advise the MEST on results of the quality assessment, and improved credibility of the accreditation process. Output 2. Improved transparency, integrity and accountability in the higher education sector. Output 3. Improved legislation (regulations, procedures and practices) related to academic issues in higher education. Output 4. Enhanced capacity of young faculty members (young university assistants and/or post-docs) to carry-out research-guided teaching. Project activities 1.1. Develop capacity of KAA for monitoring of higher education providers including development of monitoring guidelines and staff training 1.2. Facilitate monitoring of higher education providers 1.3. Monitor the decisions of the NQC 2.1. Set up and operate a funding scheme for student groups from public HEIs 2.2. Monitoring the use of public funds in universities 2.3. Support introduction of open data in public universities 2.4. Monitoring academic appointments and qualifications of academic staff in public universities 2.5. Monitoring ENIC/NARIC and other relevant organizational units at MEST 2.6. Develop and implement the capacity building plan for ORCA 3.1. Support development of procedures and regulations related to academic issues 3.2. Facilitate implementation of new procedures and regulations 4.1. Co-design and operate two schemes for promoting research-based teaching. 4.2. Support academic institutions in managing and monitoring the grants. 4.3. Co-design and implement trainings about inspiring practices for research-based teaching with the academic institutions.View Project
Implementation Period |
01/04/2019 |
Budget |
1,126,000 € |
Partners and Donors |
|
Personnel |
PEACOCK-FACE 2 (Peace through competences, cooperation and knowledge)
Project Description
Overall goal of the project: To support the peaceful coexistence of all ethnic groups in Kosovo through the introduction of a personal development teaching program. Project results:- Development of teaching and learning materials for personal development dedicated to grades 5-9;
- Adaptation of existing materials for use in the Kosovo context;
- Development of On-line and face-to-face training courses for students and teachers before and in service;
- Achievement of sustainable changes in the teacher training system;
- Integration of concepts in the programming / syllabi of pre-service teacher education;
- Transfer of material for Personal Development / Life Skills in education, pre-service and in service;
- Shifting of lectures from knowledge-based to student-based teaching.
- Integration of concepts in the program / syllabus,
- Developing an online and face-to-face course for students,
- Development of symposium and analysis about the development of skills in students in our education system.
View Project
Implementation Period |
01/02/2019 |
Budget |
93,000 € |
Partners and Donors |
Zurich University of Education (PHZH) |
Personnel |
Hana Zylfiu-Haziri |
EXPANDING ACCESS TO QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND PRIMARY EDUCATION
Project Description
Overall objective: The Project aims to improve the ECD outcomes and school readiness for 1st and 2 grade of disadvantaged Roma children from six neighborhoods aged 4-6 and 6-8 attending schools in two locations by improving the parenting skills of the parents, strengthening the link between parents and pre-primary and school institutions, expanding the access to integrated ECD services and raising the quality of teaching and learning. Target groups: The direct beneficiaries of the project will be the Roma children and disadvantage non- Roma children of age 4-6 pre-school level, age 5-6 pre-primary level, and age 6-8,1st and 2nd graders of neighborhoods Edit Durham, Janine, Xheladin Hana, Bazhdarane, Jenimahall, Qyrtmahall. Components and Activities: • Component 1: Improving the access in mainstream, non-segregated ECD services Activity 1.1: Addressing financial and attendance barriers to preschool and pre-primary access of Roma children and returnees aged 4-5 and 5-6; Activity 1.2: Facilitation of access, enrolment and attendance of Roma children and returnees aged (4-5) in pre-school and pre-primary level (aged 5-6) through identification, recruitment and training of school mediators. • Component 2: Improving the quality of ECD services Activity 2.1: Toy Libraries covering the 6 locations Activity 2.2: Strengthening pre-school and pre-primary services & the capacity of educators to deliver child-centered education through qualified educators Activity 2.3: Measuring the child development of the targeted 5-6 years old Roma children bringing a result to better understand the need for ECD support • Component 3: Expanding access to quality primary school education Activity 3.1: Outreach and enrolment for primary school education grade 1 and 2 including returnee children Activity 3.2: Support to children enrolled in primary school and development follow-up, as well as preparation of individual plans for Roma returnee children. Activity 3.3: Working with volunteers • Component 4: Improving the Parenting Skills and Practices of Roma Parents Activity 4.1: Informal literacy training and lessons in storytelling to Roma mothers (adaptation of the “Your Story” approach, based on the realities in respectful localities) Activity 4.2: Home-School-Community Liaison Activity 4.3: Primary schools’ platformImplementation Period |
01/12/2018 to 30/09/2021 |
Budget |
121,676.00 € |
Partners and Donors |
Roma Education Fund (REF) |
Personnel |
School Development Grants
Project Description
The Government of Kosovo has received a World Bank Credit to implement an Education Systems Improvement Project (ESIP) which aims at supporting the education sector reforms in Kosovo. The School Development Grant is a sub-component of the ESIP project and is implemented from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) through Kosovo Education Center (KEC). ESIP’s subcomponent (SDG) is to strengthen the capacity of publicly financed schools to plan and manage resources, and promote citizen engagement through the participation of teachers, parents and communities in planning, implementing, and monitoring school activities. This subcomponent will continue building the capacity of school managers in planning, financial management, procurement, and monitoring, following the satisfactory experience of IDEP in which 207 schools benefited from the grants. Specifically, the objectives of the SDG subcomponent are:- strengthen the school development planning system;
- support selected primary schools to prepare and implement up multiple-year school development plans (SDPs) and offer training on management, planning and self-evaluation; and
- finance school development grants (SDGs) ranging between US$9,000 to US$15,000 equivalent to eligible schools (approximately EUR 8,500 – EUR 14,000) to eligible selection-based schools and 10,000 USD (approx. 9,300) for competitive-based schools.
Implementation Period |
05/06/2017 to 31/07/2021 |
Budget |
€ 277,671.80 |
Partners and Donors |
The World Bank Ministria e Arsimit, e Shkencës dhe e Teknologjisë (MASHT) |
Personnel |
After School Support for Teens (ASSET)
Project Description
USAID’s “After School Support for Teens” Program (ASSET) is a 5 year USAID program, managed by Kosova Education Centre (KEC), in partnership with FHI 360 and Crimson Capital Corp. ASSET’s main aim is to develop employability and entrepreneurial skills in Youth and a positive attitude to their future. ASSET’s slogan is: “Preparing Kosovo Youth for 21st Century Life and Work.” Its activities include: Developing Life & Work Competences ASSET supports the implementation of Kosovo’s Curriculum Framework and Core Curriculum for Grades 10-12, in particularly by providing support relating to the area of “Life and Work” which involves: career counselling and orientation; technology including ICT, and work and entrepreneurial education. To help schools to implement practical project work, ASSET will assist them to establish “Career and Enterprise Hubs”. These resource centers will include “Makerspaces”, for use during and after school hours. Supporting Careers and Entrepreneurial Education in Schools ASSET aims to assist the Ministry of Education and schools to implement its careers and entrepreneurial education curriculum for Grades 10-12. This will involve developing: assessment tools for curriculum learning outcomes; an accredited teacher training course; teaching materials and resources; training teachers; and working with partners to enhance a “Virtual Careers Center”, an online careers portal available to all young people and their parents both in and outside of school. Connecting Schools with Employers and the Community With its partners, ASSET aims to engage with businesses and entrepreneurs interested in supporting the development of workforce-related skills in students through projects and work experience. ASSET’s “Adopt an Asset” activity aims to enable businesses inside and outside Kosovo to support individual students by providing work experience, internships, careers advice, and mentorship. ASSET’s Community Youth Mapping activity will engage young people and adults in identifying community-based resources, needs, and opportunities. Youth mapping is an action-oriented activity where teens research their communities, taking surveys, and inputting and reflecting on the data. Involving youth in these activities provides them with skills that enable them to become agents of change and productive contributors within their communities. Program's implementing partners are: FHI 360 & Crimson Capital.Implementation Period |
01/06/2017 to 06/06/2022 |
Budget |
$ 3,452,538 |
Partners and Donors |
USAID FHI 360 Crimson Capital |
Personnel |
Promoting and Protecting Children’s Rights
Project Description
Through the EU-funded, KEC and ZFD in cooperation with 10 NGOs are implementing the project “Promoting and Protecting Children’s Rights” which aims to empower local communities improve child protection measures in schools through awareness raising, mediation and peaceful conflict resolution. By doing so, the project aims to contribute to creating child-friendly and violence-free environments in Kosovo schools through targeted actions of civil society organizations and local communities for promoting children’s rights. Overall objective: To create child-friendly and violence-free environments in Kosovo schools through targeted actions of civil society organizations and local communities for promoting children’s rights. Specific objectives: To empower local communities improve child protection measure in schools through awareness raising, mediation and peaceful conflict resolution Activities:- Set up an online platform to raise awareness of children’s rights and child protection measures.
- Develop information materials for children, parents, teachers and wider public.
- Organize contest for the best media article on children’s rights.
- Organize regional conference on children’s rights.
- Select 10 local NGOs to work with 40 rural schools.
- Conduct children’s rights and peer mediation trainings for NGOs, children, parents and teachers.
- Organize study trips for NGOs and school representatives to Peer Mediation Clubs in Macedonia and Albania.
- Assist local NGOs to support schools implement child protection policies.
- Collect examples of good practice from targeted schools and publish them.
- 15,000 children from 40 elementary schools
- Their parents
- Around 1,000 teachers from 40 elementary schools
- 10 grassroots NGOs
- General public
Implementation Period |
03/04/2017 to 30/09/2019 |
Budget |
€ 272,450.00 |
Partners and Donors |
European Union |
Personnel |
Ardita Kabashi |
Equipping first graders with set of children’s books
Project Description
The basic idea of this Project is to equip first grade classes in Kosovo and Macedonia with sets of reading books, designed to improve reading skills at early age. The project trains and monitors teachers on the use of books, sharing literature and stories with young children, and promotion of creative storytelling and reading. With this project each first-grade classes in Kosovo receives one set of books, whereas classes with more than 20 students will receive two sets. In total 27 000 children and 600 schools will be part of the the project. In Macedonia. 800 sets of books will be distributed to first grade classrooms being taught in Macedonian, 400 sets of books will be distributed to first grade classrooms being taught in Albanian. In total 21 000 children and 200 schools will be part of the project. Set of books are packed in a card board, in shape of an attractive child friendly bus, that will be used to store the books, but as well as a as toy. Attached to it will also be a poster with information about the themes of the books. Kosova Education Center will be responsible to disseminate the books to all first grade classes in Kosovo, and Foundation for Education and Cultural-FEC indicatives Sep by step will be responsible for disseminating the books in Macedonia. Workshop on usage of books will be organized in 20 municipalities, where teachers from nearby locations can participate. Kosova Education Center experienced trainers will be responsible for delivering and facilitating the workshops. Each school will select a teacher (preferably quality coordinator) that will attend a one day information workshop on the use of books. The same teachers will be responsible to disseminate the information in their respective school. Same concept will be apply in Macedonia under guidance of the Foundation for Education and Cultural Initiative Step by step.Implementation Period |
01/04/2017 to 01/05/2018 |
Budget |
$ 65,580 |
Partners and Donors |
MoneyGram |
Personnel |
Hana Zylfiu-Haziri |
Protecting Children from Violence
Project Description
The goal of the project was creating a safe and child friendly environment in schools through dissemination and implementation of the Protocol for the Prevention and Referral of Violence in Kosovo Pre-university Education Institutions and establishment of Peer Mediation Groups. The project worked in ten municipalities of Kosovo: Prishtine, Obiliq, Peje, Ferizaj, Gjakove, Podujeva, Shtime, Klina, Suhareke and Gjilan Direct beneficiaries of the project are: children from selected schools in 10 municipalities involved in the project (Prishtine, Obiliq, Peje, Ferizaj, Gjakove, Podujeva, Shtime, Klina, Suhareke, Gjilan and Prizren) and targeted Municipalities. Indirect beneficiaries of the project are: Government of Kosovo with all line-ministries (Ministry of Education, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Work and Social Welfare, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health), Council for Protection and Justice for Children (OGG of the OPM). Output 1: By end of 2017, Improve child protection mechanisms on violence against children in 26 schools in 11 municipalities through implementation of the Protocol. Output 2: By the end of the project, capacities of municipal official (20 officials /11 municipalities) are strengthened to monitor and support schools in implementing the Protocol. Output 3: By the end of the project, capacities of 10 CSO’s (minimum 2 staff per CSO) working in the area of Child Protection are increased to support Protocol Implementation. Project partners: FORUM ZFD, MESTImplementation Period |
01/02/2017 to 31/07/2018 |
Budget |
€ 82,105,50 |
Partners and Donors |
UNICEF |
Personnel |
Kosovo Integration Initiative- KOSINT 2020
Project Description
“Kosovo Integration Initiative - KOSINT 2020” aims to improve the access of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in education, employment and social welfare, contributing to the fulfilment of commitments made by the Kosovo Government, by encouraging the participation of civil society organizations in monitoring sectorial reforms, policy development and budget planning. KOSINT 2020 is funded by the Roma Initiatives Office (RIO) in the framework of Open Society Foundations (OSF), and is implemented under the leadership of Kosova Education Center (KEC) with the cooperation of Balkan Sunflowers Kosova (BSFK), Roma & Ashkalia Documentation Center (RAD Center) and Syri i Vizionit. The period of implementation is 36 months. The project has three main components:- Building capacities of civil society organizations for participation in monitoring sectorial reforms, policy development and budget planning;
- Monitoring sectorial reforms in Education, Employment and Social Welfare, in the framework of Kosovo Government commitments for the inclusion of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities;
- Policy development and advocacy through the involvement of civil society organizations in reform policies in the domains of Education, Employment and Social Welfare, in the best interest of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities.
Implementation Period |
01/01/2017 to 29/02/2020 |
Budget |
$470,257 |
Partners and Donors |
Roma Initiatives Office (RIO) |
Personnel |
FACE (Families and Children in Education)
Project Description
The project FACE (Families and children in education) is an educational project aiming at supporting children from a disadvantaged background, to become aware of their competences. The FACE project is supported by IPE Teacher Education University, Zyrih Discovering who you are and what you are able to do is the first step towards a positive self-concept. FACE offers students plenty of age-appropriate tasks to do so. It also encourages students to present themselves and their skills to others and, most important of all, it tries to involve parents. For teachers this is a wonderful opportunity to get to know their students and families better. By actively teaching life skills and self-competences, the project tries to raise the students’ self-esteem and to make them recognize the importance of education. The FACE programme promotes the quality of living and learning together in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment. The teaching material includes three booklets dealing with issues of identity, skills, talents and interests, emotions and heritage: 1) Ages 4 - 6: FACE 1 – Develop your self-esteem and play together 2) Ages 7 - 9: FACE 2 – Develop your self-esteem and celebrate together 3) Ages 10 - 12: FACE 3 – Develop your self-esteem and work together IPE In cooperation with KEC is introducing the FACE programme into two schools and 4 learning centres in Kosovo. In order to guarantee a smooth introduction, in-service trainings for 50 teachers and facilitators will be provided.Implementation Period |
01/01/2017 to 31/12/2018 |
Budget |
€ 20, 000 |
Partners and Donors |
Zurich University of Education (PHZH) |
Personnel |
Hana Zylfiu-Haziri |
Kosovo RAE Early Years Network- K-RAE-EYN (Phase 2)
Project Description
The project aims to expand and strengthen the network Kosovo RAE Early Years Network (K-RAE-EYN), a network of professionals and pre professionals for Development in Early Childhood of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in Kosovo . This network was established based on the concept of "Romani Early Years Network (REYN)", initiated by the International Step by Step Association - ISSA. So far KRAEYN network has member individuals and organizations who advocate for children's welfare of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities and their involvement in quality and inclusive education. On November, 2016 the second phase of the project started. The main aim of this phase is the KRAEEYN network expansion with new members not only in the field of education, but also in the welfare and health areas. The project will provide support for KAEEYN's members and will help them to organize a number of activities to raise awareness, and offer better opportunities regarding welfare and education for Roma, Ashkli, Egyptian communities and others.Implementation Period |
01/11/2016 to 30/04/2018 |
Budget |
$ 40.000 |
Partners and Donors |
Open Society Institute (OSI) |
Personnel |
Hana Zylfiu-Haziri |
Together for Equity in Early Childhood
Project Description
This project is the second phase of the project “Together – Support to Integration of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian children in preschool education.” The Project aims to improve the ECD outcomes and school readiness of disadvantaged Roma children aged 4-6 in 4 locations by improving the parenting skills of the parents, strengthening the link between parents and pre-primary institutions, expanding the access to integrated ECD services and raising the quality of teaching and learning. Additionally, with the selected relevant partners the project aims to support the improvement of the Early Childhood Development situation of Roma children throughout Kosovo by advocating nationally for the welfare and rights to the quality education. Project components and activities: Component 1: Improving participation in mainstream ECD services Its aim is to eliminate the existing barriers to pre-primary access and participation of Roma children aged 4-6 in the above localities by expanding access to preschool education, the provision of need-based material support, the provision of furniture and pedagogic materials to renovated preschool classrooms and intense communication and work with the RAE parents through pre-primary mediators and information campaigns. Component 2: Improving the parenting skills of Roma parents Its aim is to achieve visible improvements in the parenting skills and practices of parents (and mothers, in particular) of Roma children aged 4-6 in selected localities through informal literacy training and lessons in storytelling (Your Story); Parents school for building the awareness and skills to implement good parenting practices (Community events with parents on early childhood nutrition, health and education); and enhancing the interaction of parents with ECD and pre-primary institutions (Home-Pre-primary-Community liaison). Component 3: Improving the quality of ECD services Its aim is to improve the quality of teaching and learning of Roma children in pre-primary by strengthening the capacity of educators to provide child-centered education through tailored training on child-centered and inclusive education and regular on-site mentoring services. Component 4: Advocating for rights of quality education for Roma children This aim of this component is to create advocacy initiatives for raising awareness on the benefits of inclusion of Roma children in early childhood programs. Advocacy initiatives in cooperation with KRAEEYN - Kosovo Roma Ashkali and Egyptian Early Years Network will target the society as a whole, primarily decision makers at local and national level to create a more favourable educational framework in Kosovo.Implementation Period |
01/09/2016 to 31/08/2018 |
Budget |
€ 171,728 |
Partners and Donors |
Roma Education Fund (REF) |
Personnel |
EU-SIMRAES II
Project Description
The overall objective of the EU-SIMRAES II is to support the Government of Kosovo in the development of democratic and multiethnic society by implementing the strategy of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities and its action plan. The specific objective is to ensure fair access of Roma children, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in pre-primary education, primary and secondary education by improving enrollment, attendance and attainment of children by providing community and financial support. Activities of the first component implemented by KEC:- Support the operation of 10 teaching centers.
- Raise awareness of parents of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities to enroll children in school on time.
- Provide logistical support for Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities to attend primary education.
- Hire individual mentoring and homework assistance for children.
- Organize trainings against prejudice for teachers and parents, and provide mentoring /counseling to ensure implementation of competencies acquired.
- Organize local events to help better integration of children of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian at school level.
- Inclusion of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian children from 10 targeted municipalities in pre-primary, primary and secondary education and improvement of the results of their learning.
- Improved access and continuity of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian students in upper secondary education and improve their capacity to benefit from higher education.
- Organizations working in the field of education of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities improve their capacity to deliver quality services to their community members.
Implementation Period |
01/04/2016 to 31/10/2019 |
Budget |
€1,300,000 |
Partners and Donors |
European Union |
Personnel |
School Me
Project Description
The purpose of this project is to enable teachers to develop student’s skills of learning, defined in the Curriculum Framework of Kosovo through the use of digital platform SchoolMe as well as other online resources in the learning process. The main activities of the project are:- The selection of 15 schools from different municipalities of Kosovo in which School Me will be implemented
- Establishment of school coordinators group for the project implementation
- Preparation of the training manual for building school capacity in using the digital platform
- Building schools capacity in using the digital platform and its enrichment
- Schools’ membership in digital platform
- Drafting the monitoring framework
- Organizing the monitoring process of the participating schools
- Organize a study visit to Moldova
- 15 school teachers of Kosovo will use the “School Me” digital platform in the learning process to develop the competencies of student learning that are part of the Kosovo Curriculum Framework.
- Students from 15 schools of Kosovo will develop skills in using the digital platform in the process of learning and self-assessment of knowledge gained through online tests.
- School teachers participating in the project will prepare online lessons to enrich the learning content digital platform to enable the implementation of the Kosovo Curriculum Framework in different learning areas.
Implementation Period |
22/03/2016 to 30/11/2018 |
Budget |
$304,942 |
Partners and Donors |
Fondacioni i Kosovës për Shoqëri të Hapur (KFOS) |
Personnel |
Kosovo Education for Employment Network-KEEN
Project Description
KEEN project is a strategic coalition of four civil society organizations focused on the field of education, employment and social policies. KEEN aims to provide input to improve the employability of disadvantaged groups in Kosovo and their involvement in policy development, decision-making and monitoring at central and local level, by supporting and facilitating the dialogue between the institutions of education and training and business. KEEN project aims to approximate the interconnection between education and training programs with labour market requirements. KEEN Project implementation period is 48 months, from 28 December 2015 until 28 December 2019. KEEN Project is implemented through a coalition that is led by the Centre for Education of Kosovo (KEC) in cooperation with Balkan Sunflowers Kosova (BSFK), Employment Promotion Agency Kosovo (APPK), Academy of Training and Technical Assistance (ATTA) and Stichting SPARK. Key institutional partners of the Project are Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST), Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MPMS), Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), Association of Kosovo Municipalities (AKM), Kosovo Chamber of Commerce (KCC) and Kosovo Business Alliance (AKB). KEEN project activities are organized into four interrelated components: Component 1: Strengthening of KEEN Networking Component 2: Participation in policymaking at central and local level Component 3: Monitoring of policies at central and local level Component 4: Linking education and training with the labour marketImplementation Period |
28/12/2015 to 31/01/2020 |
Budget |
€1,055,597 |
Partners and Donors |
European Union |
Personnel |
Building Social Inclusion Through Education
Project Description
The overall objective of this project is to advance social inclusion in the field of education, through improved institutional responsiveness and better servicing of marginalized Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian (RAE) communities; The specific objectives: 1) Strengthened capacities of CSOs dealing with RAE to engage in the dialog with educational institutions and better respond to the priorities of their constituents in the field of education; 2) Enhanced peer-to-peer learning, knowledge sharing and partnering amongst experienced and grassroots CSOs in the bordering regions, to support inclusion efforts in the field of education.Implementation Period |
15/12/2015 to 01/10/2018 |
Budget |
€94.297 |
Partners and Donors |
European Union |
Personnel |
Kosovo Academy for Education for Democtratic Cizizenship and Human Rights Education
Project Description
Kosovo Academy of Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education (EDC /HRE) is a training organized jointly by Kosova Education Center (KEC) , Municipal Directorate of Education (MDE) in Pristina, the Council of Europe (CoE) and the European Wergeland Centre (EWC). Academy aimed to strengthen the democratic culture in the schools of the municipality of Prishtina by traiing education professionals and community stakeholders, as well as by further developing their capacity to implement and promote EDC/HRE in their schools and communities. The main activities and achievements of the Project were:- Drafting of the academy concept and format
- The call for applications and selection process
- Preparatory meeting for the academy
- The five-day training
- Facilitate sharing of experiences and good practices in EDC/HRE
- Support participants in the development and implementation of the school project
- Encourage cooperation and partnership between the different actors involved in education and between the participating schools
- Supports the creation of a network of professionals that promote EDC/HRE
- Facilitate the implementation of the Charter of the Council of Europe EDC/HRE and the use of materials of the Council of Europe at the local level.
Implementation Period |
01/12/2015 to 30/06/2020 |
Budget |
€12,300 |
Partners and Donors |
Council of Europe |
Personnel |
Ethics and Institutional Integrity
Project Description
The aim of the project is to create a climate of responsible personal behavior and organizational in central and municipal institutions, as well as in schools by strengthening the institutional leadership to implement ethical standards and institutional integrity in their work places. The aim of the project will be achieved through training of officials of the offices for the development of human resources of 5 ministries, municipal officials for the development of human resources in 3 municipalities, as well as directors and representatives of school boards selected from the three municipalities. Activities that will be implemented during the implementation of the project are:- Preparation of guidelines on "Ethics and institutional integrity"
- Selection of the officials from the human resource offices from 5 ministries and 3 municipalities to participate in the training on "ethics and institutional integrity"
- Organizing a two-day training on "ethics and institutional integrity" for 20 officials of the offices of human resource development at the central and municipal level
- The selection of 12 schools from three municipalities to participate in the training on "ethics and institutional integrity"
- Organizing of two-day training for school principals and representatives of school boards with the theme "Ethics and institutional integrity"
- Implementation of action plans
- Organizing three roundtables in three municipalities to introduce the results of the action plans
- Participation in radio broadcasts
- Drafting the final report
Implementation Period |
15/11/2015 to 31/08/2016 |
Budget |
€10,850 |
Partners and Donors |
Fondacioni i Kosovës për Shoqëri të Hapur (KFOS) |
Personnel |
Capacity Building for Kosovo Education Strategic Plan Development
Project Description
The purpose of this project was to provide support to MEST in the drafting of the Strategic Plan for Education in Kosovo 2017-2021. The process began in June 2015 with the establishment of a whole planning and the assessment initiation of KESP 2011-2016. GIZ Project on Capacity Building in Basic Education (GIZ CDBE) has contracted the consortium consisting of PEM Consulting and KEC to provide technical assistance for the design of KESP 2017-2021, whereas the 2011-2016 KESP assessment was made of the United Fund Support of Education (ESPF). Activities of PEM-KEC consortium began in September 2015, since the evaluation of the 2011-2016 KESP have scored a significant advancement. Following a plan which was agreed with the Core Planning Team, the KESP was finalized and submitted to the Government in September 2016.Implementation Period |
01/09/2015 to 01/09/2016 |
Budget |
|
Partners and Donors |
GIZ |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Schools as generators of democrative society
Project Description
In cooperation with partners from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland, in December 2014, we started with the project “Schools as generators of a democratic society”. The overall aim of this project is to develop an international cooperation and network among schools of the Western Balkan and Visegrad countries (Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Poland), as well as to ensure the understanding of the role of schools in the democratic processes within a society. The main project activities include: joint training for representatives of 10 schools from the five participating countries; projects among schools from various countries; presentation of project results in a conference. The project will last 18 months, and is financed by the Visegrad Fund.Implementation Period |
01/12/2014 to 30/04/2016 |
Budget |
€6,650 |
Partners and Donors |
Visegrad Fund |
Personnel |
Entrepreneurship Learning (EL)
Project Description
The new methods of teaching entrepreneurship are oriented methods in teaching practice, which aims, to support the capabilities of teachers who teach entrepreneurship and economy. This course is included in vocational schools in Kosovo and in the theoretical aims to practical learning. The main project activities included: Trainings – three training groups were successfully implemented in three regions in Kosovo, including three training modules, one with three days of training and two others with two days of training. Trainings were held in Prishtina, Prizren and Peja, but teachers from different municipalities have attended. The number of participants has reached about trained 54 teachers. Monitoring – In all the centers where trainings were held, the monitoring was continuous. The participation of the candidates was satisfactory and the evaluation of the candidates that have attended the training was followed constantly with the aim of eventual improvement as per requests made by teachers. Certification – After the organization of three training schedules, 54 teachers were awarded certificates of attendance for each module. Kultur Kontakt has determined the layout of the certificate. Certificates were awarded to participating teachers after the completion of the third module.Implementation Period |
01/09/2014 to 28/02/2015 |
Budget |
€16,255 |
Partners and Donors |
KulturKontakt - Austria |
Personnel |
Ardita Kabashi |
Prevention of violence in schools
Project Description
The goal of the project was creating a safe and child friendly environment for schools through dissemination and implementation of the Protocol for the Prevention and Referral of Violence in Kosovo Pre-university Education Institutions. The main results of the project were: 1. Improved child protection mechanisms on violence against children in schools through implementation of the Protocol 2. Increased awareness of key institutions, civil society, media and community in general on prevention of violence against children in school Beneficiaries: Direct beneficiaries of the project are: children from all pre-university education institutions in seven municipalities involved in the project (upper secondary schools, lower-secondary schools, primary schools and pre-primary institutions) such as Prishtinë/Priština, FushëKosovë/Kosovo Polje, Obiliq/Obilić, Pejë/Peć, Ferizaj/Uroševac, Gjilan/Gnjilane and Gjakovë/Djakovica. Indirect beneficiaries of the project are: Government of Kosovo with all line-ministries (Ministry of Education, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Work and Social Welfare, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health), Council for Protection and Justice for Children (OGG of the OPM).Implementation Period |
20/06/2014 to 20/02/2016 |
Budget |
€137.230 |
Partners and Donors |
UNICEF |
Personnel |
Supporting the Quality Assurance Strategy Development
Project Description
KEC provided technical assistance to the project "Support to the implementation of PSAK 2011-2016" for developing a squalirty assurance strategy for pre-university education. At the beginning of 2015, a study visit to Austria was organized that aimed the final drafting of the Strategy, which sought the best practices of quality assurance in pre-university education. This made possible finalization of the draft strategy which was result of the process with broad participation and consultation at all levels. In December 2015, the Strategy was approved by the Government and was presented to the public. This strategy was integrated in the Kosovo Education Strategic Plan 2017-2021 as one of its seven pillars.Implementation Period |
18/06/2014 to 30/11/2015 |
Budget |
€14,400 |
Partners and Donors |
KulturKontakt - Austria |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Support to integration of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian children in preschool education (TOGETHER)
Project Description
The objective of the project was to improve the early childhood development (ECD) outcomes and the school readiness of disadvantaged Roma, Ashkalia, and Egyptian (RAE) children aged 5-6 in selected localities by improving the parenting skills of the RAE parents, strengthening the link between parents and preschools, expanding the access to integrated ECD services, and raising the quality of teaching and learning. Project components, activities and expected results: Component 1: Improving the access to and participation in mainstream, non-segregated ECD services aims to eliminate the existing barriers to access and participation in pre-primary and of RAE children aged 5-6 in the selected localities by provision of need-based material and intense communication and work with the RAE parents through preschool mediators and information campaigns. This component includes activities to (a) address financial and transport barriers to preschool access of RAE children aged 5-6; (b) to facilitate access, enrolment and attendance of RAE children aged 5-6 in pre-primary level and transition of RAE children aged 6 into primary education through identification, recruitment and training of school mediators. Component 2: Improving the Parenting Skills and Practices of RAE Parents aims at achieving visible improvements in the parenting skills and practices of parents (and mothers, in particular) of RAE children aged 5-6 in selected localities through informal literacy training and lessons in storytelling (My Story), Parents school for building the awareness and skills to implement good parenting practices (Community events with parents on early childhood nutrition, health and education), and enhancing the interaction of parents with ECD and preschool institutions (Home-Preschool-Community liaison). Component 3: Improving quality of ECD services aims to improve the quality of teaching and learning of RAE children in pre-primary by strengthening the capacity of educators to provide child-centered education. This component includes activities for strengthening the capacity of pre-primary teachers to deliver child-centered education by improving the teaching and learning in pre-primary through capacity building activities promoting the child-centered approach to ECE.Implementation Period |
01/03/2014 to 31/07/2016 |
Budget |
103.975 |
Partners and Donors |
Roma Education Fund (REF) |
Personnel |
PROCON – Protecting Children Online
Project Description
The specific objective of the project was to ensure better protection of Kosovo children from online risks through awareness raising, empowerment and coordinated action of the Government, Civil Society and Industry to take appropriate protection measures. This project contains two interlinked components: 1) Protecting children online.– A multi-stakeholder group for online protection of children, composed of representatives from different stakeholders were set up to address the children online protection challenge at the policy and technical level. A study tour to Hungary was organized for the multi-stakeholder group to develop the capacity of its members to engage constructively and in a well-informed way in the multi-stakeholder policy making processes at national level. The program included a training seminar offered by ICSS (International Children’s Safety Service) and a number of site visits to learn from experience of Hungarian government agencies, schools and CSOs. ICSS also supported the participatory process of developing a national strategy for protecting children online which is expected to reflect the multi-sectorial nature of such intervention. The two-day regional conference for online protection of children served to disseminate project outputs to wider public and exchange experience with experts from other West Balkans Countries. 2) Stepping up awareness and empowerment. – A web page to facilitate the flow of information on the protection of children online was set up. Information materials for children, parents and teachers were developed by a team of Kosovo and EU experts based on the best models of the EU Safer Internet Program. At least 100 on-site information sessions were organized in primary and secondary schools for children, parents and teachers. Also, on-line information sessions were developed and posted on the project web page along with information materials to raise awareness about online risks and empower children to cope with them. The Project supported up to 10 school-based initiatives for improving online protection of children which may include various types of awareness raising and empowerment activities, and also run a campaign to raise awareness of the general public on the issue.Implementation Period |
24/12/2013 to 24/12/2015 |
Budget |
€ 203,684 |
Partners and Donors |
European Union |
Personnel |
Strengthening the Role of Teachers’ Union (SBASHK) in Education Policy Making
Project Description
The specific objective of this project was to strengthen the capacity of Teachers’ Union (SBASHK) for increased participation in social dialogue, policy and decision making. Project activities were clustered in three interlinked components in line with the respective expected results presented above: Component 1: Improve organizational capacity of SBASHK – with (a) organizing training seminars to train, mentor and coach SBASHK leadership and personnel, in addition offer on-job support, mentoring and coaching; (b) organize study visits for SBASHK leadership to two Education Trade Unions in the Region (Slovenia and Macedonia) to gain better understanding of the operation of trade unions in a new EU member country and an accession country; and (c) develop a medium term-term strategy for SBASHK (2015-2019) Component 2: Increase the membership base through developing and implementing communication plan and introducing new services – (a) develop new website and interactive portal, including distribution of quarterly e-Newsletters; (b) introduce new services for SBASHK members (legal services and facilitate access of SBASHK members to teacher professional development programs); (c) Launch a new membership campaign Component 3: Participation of SBASHK in the social dialogue and policy making – through (a) building capacity for social dialogue and policy making; (b) organizing a consultation forum with MEST and Association of Kosovo Municipalities on issues of interest for membership; (c) support and monitor teacher licensing process. The Project had three expected results: 1. Increase participation of SBASHK in social dialogue, policy and decision making by improving organizational capacity of SBASHK. 2. Increasing the membership base by improving communication with the members and introduce new services for the members. 3. Strengthening capacity of SBASHK for participation in social dialogue and policy making through provision of training and follow up expert advice.Implementation Period |
20/12/2013 to 19/12/2015 |
Budget |
€213,256 |
Partners and Donors |
European Union |
Personnel |
TalkOn–Capacity Development for Senior Educational Leadership
Project Description
The purpose of this project was to deliver a comprehensive capacity building program focused on implementation of the MEST Communication Strategy for high-to-mid level management staff of MEST and MEDs in three program areas: Leadership, Management and Communication. The target group were the staff of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST)and municipal education directorates (MEDs). The training program was delivered in form of nine seminars in a way that skills and knowledge acquired through one seminar are applied in practice between seminars and reported on the next one. Each module was organized as a 2-day long seminar, and is followed by on-the-job coaching related to assignments given in seminars. Each training module had 16 contact hours, whereas the whole program had 144 contact hours. On average each participant received 2 coaching hours per training module, in total 18 coaching hours. The program was accredited by MEST.Implementation Period |
15/10/2013 to 31/12/2014 |
Budget |
€164,468 |
Partners and Donors |
GIZ |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Kosovo RAE Early Years Network (K-RAE-EYN)
Project Description
The specific objective of the project was to develop skills and good practice, establish effective partnerships and support capacity building of RAE and non-RAE professionals and paraprofessionals working with RAE children and their families for improving their own performance and the quality of provision in general. The project idea was based on the Romani Early Years Network (REYN), which was launched during the international ECD conference, organized jointly by the International Step by Step Association (ISSA) and Diversity in Early Childhood Education and Training (DECET) in October 2012. REYN is a joint partnership of ISSA and the Roma 'Kopaçi' Initiatives at the Open Society Foundations (OSF) Early Childhood Program. The aim of this Network was to particularly empower Romani ECD professionals and paraprofessionals working with Romani communities, offering them opportunities for professional development, training, study visits and international networking across the ECD sector.Implementation Period |
01/09/2013 to 01/09/2015 |
Budget |
€ 118.323 |
Partners and Donors |
Open Society Foundation (OSF) |
Personnel |
Hana Zylfiu-Haziri |
HigherKos Evaluation 1&2
Project Description
In cooperation with the Swiss company KEK-CDC, KEC conducted an assessment of the "HigherKOS - Promoting institutional development of higher education and science in Kosovo", which was implemented by a consortium of Austria with financial support of the Development Agency of Austria ( ADA). The xxternal evaluation process was conducted with the combined expertise of Swiss and Kosovo in two phases. The intermediate evaluation was conducted in November and December of 2014, while the recommendations of the evaluation have served for corrections and improvements in the project strategy. However, the final evaluation was conducted in September and October of 2015.Implementation Period |
01/09/2013 to 31/10/2015 |
Budget |
|
Partners and Donors |
Center for Social Innovation (ZSI) |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Decentralization of finances in education
Project Description
The project aimed to analyze the level of implementation of the decentralization process in education as well as to evidence the challenges in its implementation. Furthermore, the project aimed at awareness-raising of schools to execute their legal competences as a prerequisite for an efficient implementation of the process in practice. The goal of the project was to establish an accountability and oversight relation between the municipal education administration, schools and citizens in 15 Kosovo municipalities. During the implementation of the project all involved schools in the project have co-operated with the KEC official to analyze their annual budgets, to review the opportunities for saving of expenses and a more ration use of school budgets. The schools involved in the project have co-operated with the municipal officials of education to provide for a more efficient planning of their school budgets, as well as to review-periodically- the expenses incurred. This influenced the establishment of a mutual accountability and oversight relation between MED and schools. Throughout their co-operation, MED managed to oversee the schools in planning and expending their budgets, whilst schools were held accountable for their requests and the expenses incurred. In addition, the organization of roundtables and participation in various radio shows were some of the activities that contributed in awareness-raising of schools to enhance their co-operation with MED in order to mobilize them for a fair and transparent allocation of school budgets. Activities and main achievements of the project were as follows: • Distribution and collection of questionnaires from the schools involved in the project • Data input and processing • Review of municipal education budgets and the method of budget distribution in schools • Bimonthly monitoring of financial statements for expenses of schools involved in the project • Organizing semi-structured interviews with various officials • Drafting of the final report • Organizing roundtables in 7 regions of Kosovo • Participation in 2 radio shows • Distribution of the report with the recommendation to all relevant structure.Implementation Period |
01/09/2013 to 30/06/2014 |
Budget |
€11,350 |
Partners and Donors |
Fondacioni i Kosovës për Shoqëri të Hapur (KFOS) |
Personnel |
Development of the Training programmes for teachers of Math subject (grade 5)
Project Description
The development of the training programme for the teachers of the subject of Math, aimed to build teachers competences for qualitative and creative presentation of mathematics concepts diagrams, patterns, rules and relationships that belong to math curricula of grade 5 as well as the successful application of them in solving problems in mathematics, other subjects and everyday life. The main activities included:- Developing a methodology for training primary teachers
- Drafting the training module on math subject for grade 5
- Developing the trainer’s manual for the implementation of the training
- Developing the training guidebook for Math teachers,
- Providing the ToT training for 35 primary teachers of grades 1-5
- Developing 3 knowledge tests and evaluation matrixes for the training module
Implementation Period |
03/06/2013 to 31/10/2013 |
Budget |
€5,035 |
Partners and Donors |
GIZ |
Personnel |
Regional Support for Inclusive Education
Project Description
The project promoted the concept of inclusive education as a reform principle that respects and caters for diversity amongst all learners, with a specific focus on those who are at a higher risk of marginalization and exclusion. To increase the understanding of the benefits of inclusive education, the main activities were focused on 49 pilot schools including VET schools (7 per beneficiary). The experiences gained from these pilot schools provided policy makers with firm suggestions on how to scale up identified effective practice. This enabled them to cater for increased social diversity and more inclusive societies-for the benefit of all. The project had a “bottom up” approach that helped policy-makers move from experience in the field to mainstream education reforms. The specific aim of the project was to:- Enhance social inclusion and social cohesion in the region by promoting inclusive education and training.
- Break down barriers for all vulnerable groups in the education sector.
- Promote the concept of inclusive education as a reform principle that respects and caters for diversity amongst all learners.
- Pilot inclusive schools-the project established criteria for the selection of the pilot schools. In parallel to this, existing tools and methodologies were identified, adapted, developed and translated. A regional network of inclusive schools is established for mutual learning and sharing experience, supported by a web-platform. Small grants were provided to the pilot schools.
- Creating awareness-Awareness raising local events for relevant authorities and stakeholders were organized. A documentary video outlining the work of the project was produced.
- Policy support-Policy makers were identified for policy dialogue and policy learning.
- Teacher support-Modules and programs for the professional development of teachers were developed. “Regional Support for Inclusive Education” is a regional project for South East Europe. It enhances social inclusion and social cohesion in the region by promoting inclusive education and training.
Implementation Period |
01/01/2013 to 30/11/2015 |
Budget |
€5,165,650 |
Partners and Donors |
Council of Europe European Union |
Personnel |
Ardita Kabashi |
Enhancing social Scientific Research in Kosovo and its Integration into the European Research Area
Project Description
The specific objective of the project was to strengthen the social scientific research capacity in Kosovo by developing human resources and research infrastructure, and facilitating participation in the European research programmes. The key project activities were: 1. Establishment of the Empirical Social Sciences Laboratory equipped with 15 PC’s, as well as statistical and text analysis programmes “SPSS software”, under the Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities (ISSH) of the University of Pristina. 2. Research training programme for International Social Scientific Research qualifications aiming to improve the methodological and managerial skills of Kosovan researchers. 35 young Kosovan social scientists participate in the programme. 3. Organizing large public launching conference “Horizon 2020” to improve the capacities and participation of Kosovan researchers in European research programmes. 4. 10 social scientists having graduated from the research training programme for International Social Scientific Qualifications were selected for participation in a Mentorship Programme, which includes a two week fellowship in Vienna. 5. International scientific workshop on “The social fabric of Kosovo- new research findings to evidence-base and enhance the political and socio-economic discourse about Kosovo” were organized resulting in an increased international perception of social-sciences in Kosovo and an exchange forum between producers of social-scientific evidence and its users. Main results: 1. A social sciences methods laboratory equipped with 15 PC's, as well as statistical and text analysis programmes was established and operated in the ISSH. 2. 35 younger Kosovan social scientific researchers working at different Kosovo research organizations have capacity to understand, apply and exploit state-of-art empirical social-scientific research methods and European databases through participating in research training programme. 3. The capacities of Kosovan researchers to improve their participation in European research programmes have been increased.Implementation Period |
04/07/2012 to 01/11/2014 |
Budget |
€262,740 |
Partners and Donors |
European Union European Union |
Personnel |
PROSPECT
Project Description
The aim of this project was to enhance the capacities of the learning community centers, and to develop the network of stakeholders to support the establishment of a non-discriminatory and integrative school. The projects was financed by KKS (Karl Kubel Stiftung) and BMZ (German Ministry for Development), and implemented by KFOS, while KEC manages the professional development component of the centers. During the year, KEC conducted regular monitoring activities at all centers. In general, tutors were very much engaged. In some cases, tutors were changes, which caused obstacles in the work, since the new tutors were not trained. During the monitoring, the main focus was on supporting tutors to maintain the files children, so that they are able to document children’s development. Not all Centers have started to maintain individual children’s files. In October, in cooperation with KFOS, a training for the organization development was organized. The training was divided into two topics “Communication and Leadership” which was implemented by KEC, and “Advocacy” implemented by ATTA.Implementation Period |
01/07/2012 to 31/12/2015 |
Budget |
43.560€ |
Partners and Donors |
Fondacioni i Kosovës për Shoqëri të Hapur (KFOS) |
Personnel |
Hana Zylfiu-Haziri |
GEOGEBRA
Project Description
The GeoGebra Institute of Pristina aimed to empower students and teachers at all levels to learn and to organize teaching of mathematics through the use of a free software and interactive materials, which are compiled by the international community of teachers and published on thewebsite www.geogebra.org The main goal of the program was advancing teaching and learning of mathematics. The purpose sought to be achieved through:- Organization of trainings for teachers and students of higher secondary schools and faculties;
- Development and distribution of various models for the introduction of various mathematical concepts and ways of solving the tasks in this case;
- Participation in different meetings and conferences.
- Albanian translation of the guide: KEC hired an expert to use the GeoGebra program guide and to translate it into Albanian. This was done in order to enable the use of GeoGebra program by teachers of mathematics who have problems communicating in English.
- Participation in conferences: To promote the establishment of IGP and GeoGebra program for a broader community of teachers of mathematics, KEC attended the one-day conference organized on March 23, 2012 at the American University of Kosovo. The conference program of GeoGebra introduced and gave explanations about the ways of using it. To put in touch with the International Institute of GeoGebra and to better understand the forms of cooperation in the future, the program coordinator participated in the annual international conference of IGI held on 20-23 September 2012 in Warsaw in Poland.
- Training of teachers and students to use GeoGebra: KEC has organized several training seminars for teachers and students to efficiently use the program of GeoGebra.
- Preparation of model lessons: One of the criteria for the certification program is to prepare lessons of GeoGebra model by the participants. In 2013, 82 teachers have prepared model lessons and have earned the right og certification. All model classes were being stored in the database program. The most successful lessons are part of the guidelines and used in organizing training for teachers.
Implementation Period |
01/02/2012 to 15/09/2013 |
Budget |
€3,000 |
Partners and Donors |
Caritas Luxemburg |
Personnel |
Development of the Training programs for teachers of Math subject (grade 5)
Project Description
The purpose of this action was to develop two training programs for Mathematics for grades 1-5 and 6-9 as well as to build teacher capacities for implementing new student center approaches in their classrooms. The implementation of the project was organized in three separate contracts:- Development of the Mathematics training program for general teachers (grades 1-5) and training of trainers,
- Design of training program for teachers of Mathematics (grades 6-9) and training of trainers,
- Implementation of teacher training program for teachers of Mathematics (grades 6-9).
Implementation Period |
01/03/2011 to 01/05/2012 |
Budget |
€40,631 |
Partners and Donors |
GIZ |
Personnel |
Prevention of Violence in Schools
Project Description
The main objective of the project was creating conditions for primary and lower secondary schools in Kosovo to be transformed into child friendly schools and free of violence environment in order to become powerful teaching institutions. The main project activities were: 1. Support of the violence prevention network - Organizing the 1-day training with members of Municipal and Regional Committees for Protection of Children’s Rights. - Drafting of the action plan of the Municipal and Regional Committee for Protection of CR 2. Extending and empowerment of the violence prevention network Conducting meetings with MED representatives for the establishment of the Municipal and Regional Committees on Child Rights. Establishment of the Municipal and Regional Committees on Child Rights Monitoring and evaluation of the Regional and Municipal Committees on violence prevention Development of two day training with School director for drafting of the School Development Plans for the period 2010 -2015 (with objective: Creation of the Safe and Non-Violent Environments in School Environments) 3. Creation of Kosovar committee for violence prevention Drafting of the detailed guidelines of Kosovar Committee on Violence Prevention Organizing public discussion on Guidelines on the work of National Committee on Violence Prevention 4. Dissemination of the progress and achievements of the project intervention Preparation of the five exhibitions of changes done by the project (five pilot municipalities) Organizing a week exhibition on the positive changes from the project (15 municipalities of Kosova) Development of the regional conference in five centers (Gjakove, Gjilan, Mitrovica, Peja and Prizren) Preparation for organizing Child Rights Fair Main results: 1. Violence prevention network supported and strengthened; 2. Violence Prevention network empowered through conferences, training, round tables, exhibitions, media etc. ; 3. Violence Prevention network structure created at central level; 4. Special Protocol on prevention and response against violence approved; 5. National plan on prevention and response against violence drafted; 6. Monitoring and Evaluation framework developed;Implementation Period |
15/12/2010 to 15/12/2012 |
Budget |
€96,985 |
Partners and Donors |
UNICEF |
Personnel |
Education for Sustainable Development Partnership Initiative (ESdPI)
Project Description
The specific objectives of the project were:- To map the coverage of the climate change, environmental protection and sustainable development in the pre-secondary education national curricula of participating countries.
- To forge a sustainable partnership between educational and environmental CSOs on national and regional levels.
- To develop 3 educational modules for adults, targeted at private enterprises, public authorities and pre-secondary and secondary school teachers, concerning the environmental aspects of the acquits and their impact on their work, sustainable development potentials, and climate change adaptation and mitigation requirements (in line with the EU common actions and policies).
- To develop and advocate policy recommendations outlining for inclusion of essential environmental protection and sustainable development themes into national pre-secondary education curricula.
Implementation Period |
13/12/2010 to 30/11/2012 |
Budget |
€440,077 |
Partners and Donors |
European Union NEPC R. of Croatia Office for Cooperation |
Personnel |
Ardita Kabashi |
EU Support for Implementation of the RAE Strategy (EU SIMRAES)
Project Description
The main objectives of the project were to improve the socio-economic well-being of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in Kosovo by facilitating access to education, by preserving and promoting RAE cultural heritage and by improving information in/on RAE and the mainstream media. The main results of the action were: 1. Improved access and retention of RAE communities in pre-school and elementary education and improvement of their capacities to benefit from secondary and tertiary education levels. 2. Promotion of RAE cultural heritage and media/outreach skills development.Implementation Period |
01/09/2010 to 28/02/2013 |
Budget |
€ 1.070.000 |
Partners and Donors |
European Union |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Basic Education Programme (BEP)
Project Description
The main objective of the project is improving the capacity of Kosovo’s schools to provide relevant skills for its students. Its overarching goal is to improve the Government of Kosovo’s institutional capacity in the education sector and improve the quality of primary education. Main results of the project are: Component 1 - Enhanced School Management Capacities in the Decentralized Environment by improving the management skills of school directors, school boards, and Municipal Education Departments (MEDs) in the areas of planning, school management and quality assurance. Didactic and Training Centers (DTCs) are established at the municipality level to facilitate the professional development of managers and teachers. Component 2 - Strengthen the Assessment of Learning Outcomes by improving capacities to develop and implement new school-based (internal) and potentially national (external) assessments tied to the new curricula at the local, municipal, and central levels. This will support the establishment of an effective and reliable assessment system of student learning outcomes thus increasing the quality of education at the primary level. Component 3 - Improved In-service Teacher Training by assisting MEST in providing in-service teacher training reform, which includes certification requirements; supporting the MEST new Teachers’ Licensing foundation and establishing a teachers’ program that provides continuous professional development. KEC is responsible for implementation of Component 3 and for provision of requested services under two other components. Some of the key services provided by KEC are:- Establish Didactic and Training Centres (DTCs) in each municipality.
- Increase the capacity of school directors to effectively manage schools.
- Develop an improved, realistic, and sustainable school management structure.
- Increase the capacity of school boards, student councils, and parent associations to support schools.
- Assist MEST to develop national standards for school-based assessment.
- Provide in-service professional development for teachers and school directors in SBA and assessment ethics.
- Provide professional development to selected educators in test construction and develop an item-bank.
- Develop the capacity of the MEST Assessment Unit to meet its responsibilities.
- Provide relevant instructional materials and equipment to DTCs and schools.
- Implement a teacher development program aimed at developing relevant skills in students and supporting the new curriculum.
- Increase the number of qualified trainers and training providers.
- Increase opportunities for teachers to participate in peer-support, professional networks, organizations, and research.
Implementation Period |
01/09/2010 to 30/06/2016 |
Budget |
€12,600,000 |
Partners and Donors |
USAID Ministria e Arsimit, e Shkencës dhe e Teknologjisë (MASHT) |
Personnel |
School Development Grants (SDG)
Project Description
The project has provided grants to primary and secondary schools in Kosovo to address the enhancement of the quality of teaching and learning process. Schools, being pre-selected by local authorities, have drafted project proposals that aimed to set an effective teaching and learning environment in primary and secondary education. The school projects have covered a wide range of interventions, including improvement of the infrastructure by adopting certain premises within schools for creating laboratories of natural sciences, IT, music and foreign languages as well as providing necessary equipment for them. Also through their projects, schools received teaching assistance while enriching their library collections. The effective usage of equipment and books was ensured by carrying out the monitoring process that is built in a unified methodology that involves beneficiary schools, Municipal Education Directorates and MEST. The overall objectives of the project were:- Strengthening the capacity of schools to plan and manage resources toward realizing their vision for developing effective learning environments.
- Fostering teachers’ creativity and capacity to provide quality learning and inclusive education.
- Improving school-level performance evaluation of teachers.
- Creating better teaching and learning environment to improve students’ performance.
- Promoting participation of school boards, parents and communities in educational planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of school activities.
- Over 207 schools benefited from the school grant scheme.
- Schools have strengthened their capacities and improved infrastructure in order to increase the students’ results, as well as to create a friendly environment within the schools that foster teachers’ creativity and capacity to provide quality learning.
- Increased accountability and participation via active school boards and school-municipal government partnerships.
Implementation Period |
21/06/2010 to 30/06/2012 |
Budget |
€315,335 |
Partners and Donors |
The World Bank |
Personnel |
Support to the implementation of the education sector-wide approach in Kosovo (SWAp)
Project Description
The overall objective of this Technical Assistance (TA) project was to support the Kosovo Government in improving the quality and efficiency of the provision of education and training services, notably pre-university education, in a lifelong learning and employability perspective, in line with the agreed upon sector-wide approach (SWAp) for education, and in accordance with EU standards. Main results: Component 1: Capacity Development of MEST, at central and municipal levels: Detailed implementation plan for the education strategies has been drafted and endorsed by MEST and local level stakeholders; communication systems have been developed and systematically utilized by MEST Donor Unit. Component 2: A revised National Curriculum Framework; A steering group of curriculum development specialists of the MEST Curriculum unit, the Council for Curricula of Kosovo / Council for Curricula, Textbooks and Assessment (CCTA) and tertiary education institutions had training and hands-on experience to revise the National Curriculum Framework and to lead the various subject groups responsible for curriculum development to include specific measures to address minority inclusion in education. Component 3: Teacher Training Development: The Teacher Competency Profile, required for assessment of teachers, is revised in line with good practices in EU-member states; A credit system for the purpose of recognition of professional development of teachers is elaborated. The outputs delivered by the project for each component included:- Assisting MEST, both at central and municipal levels, in developing a costed and time bound action plan to be used as an operational tool associated to the education sector strategies.
- Developing capacities of MEST units (at central and municipal levels) in order to carry out the MEST action plan, including recommendations on key areas to be strengthened.
- Assisting MEST with the establishment of, and provide support to the State Council for the Kosovo Curricula.
- Developing and implementing a capacity development programme (including institutional, organizational, and human capacities) of the MEST Curriculum Unit, members of the Council for Curricula and other key actors as appropriate.
- Organizing and supporting the process of revision and redrafting of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF).
- Developing guidelines for the design and implementation of new curricula based on the NCF and, thereafter, its application.
- Assisting the MEST to establish a group of local education mentors/advisors/facilitators to secure a system of quality assurance in the curriculum development process.
- Revising the existing Teacher Competency Profile according to the outcomes of the consultation and provide support to MEST for the finalization of the draft in view of its official adoption.
- Developing a credit system similar to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) for the purpose of recognition of professional development of teachers.
- Developing and implementing a capacity development programme (including institutional, organizational, and human capacities) of the MEST Teacher Training Unit and other key actors as appropriate.
- Putting in place appropriate systems to support roll out of new Teacher Training Programme. Elaborate an annual outlining the standards and procedures for accreditation of in-service teacher training providers and programmes ready for approval.
Implementation Period |
01/10/2009 to 01/12/2012 |
Budget |
€ 2,868,460 |
Partners and Donors |
European Union |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education (EDC/HRE)
Project Description
Kosova Education Center (KEC) participated in different regional projects, which aimed at teacher training in order to apply the principles of Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education (EDC/HRE) in their classrooms. One of the projects that KEC continued to implement during 2014 was the “Human Rights in Action” project. The “Human Rights in Action” projects started to be implemented in Kosovo at the start of September 2013. During 2013, a questionnaire was drafted to assess the implementation level of EDC/HRE principles by social subject teachers in the upper-secondary school “Mehmet Isai” in Gjilan, which was part of this regional project. To have a clearer picture of classroom implementation of such principles, the researchers hired by KEC asked that the questionnaire is filled by 20% of teachers and 20% of students of “Mehmet Isai” school in Gjilan. The data gathered from the questionnaire were presented in a joint meeting with the teachers and students of this school on January 16, 2014. The possibility to involve students’ council in various decision making processes of the school were discussed during that meeting. The report became available to the public through the website of the “Human Rights in Action”, financed by the Council of Europe (CoE) and European Wergeland Center (EWC). A leaflet is also published in this website, which presents the activities implemented during 2013/2014 under this project in Kosova.Implementation Period |
01/09/2009 to 01/10/2009 |
Budget |
|
Partners and Donors |
European Union The European Wergeland Center (EWC) |
Personnel |
Monitoring Education Finances Management in 5 Municipalities of Kosovo
Project Description
The project “Monitoring Education Finances Management in 5 Municipalities of Kosovo” was implemented in the municipalities of Istok, Gjilan, Prishtina, Gjakova and Vushtrri. Such a choice was made to municipalities based on the dynamics of the participation of these municipalities in the decentralization process in finance education. The aim of the project was to create an accountability and oversight relationship between public administration and citizens. The main activities and results of the project:- Prepare the monitoring framework- KEC in cooperation with experts and stakeholders has prepared a monitoring framework, in which it identifies areas and monitoring indicators.
- Training of 15 monitors- KEC chose 3 representatives each from 5 municipalities selected to prepare as monitors. All monitors have participated in 3 workshops with topics of:
- Corruption - meaning, forms of manifestation and strategies to combat it,
- Central and local finances - collection and expenditure with special emphasis on finance education,
- Monitoring framework - practical aspects of monitoring.
- Selection of schools and the implementation of the first phase of the project
- Data entry and processing of the questionnaire results- During February and March the monitors have input data in the data base and the results were arranged by categories: legislation, budget planning, own revenues and budget execution.
- Organization of half-structured interviews- In each municipality there were interviews held of:
- Municipal Director of Education,
- Finance Officer at MED,
- Two school principals,
- Chairman of the school board,
- President of the parent council at the municipal level,
- Internal Auditor of the municipality.
- Analysis of revenues
- Preparation of the research report and data presentation- research methodology and its results were summarized in a final report. The results of the report were presented during the organized roundtables. The report was sent to representatives of MEST, MED, those of the World Bank dealing with decentralization of budget MED and other relevant structures.
Implementation Period |
01/09/2009 to 30/06/2010 |
Budget |
€9,820 |
Partners and Donors |
Fondacioni i Kosovës për Shoqëri të Hapur (KFOS) |
Personnel |
Concepts of Citizenship among Primary School Students in Kosovo
Project Description
The main objective of the project was to assess the level of understanding of citizenship concepts among Kosovo students and define modalities for interventions. The overall goal of project “Concepts of Citizenship among Primary School Students in Kosovo” was to contribute to the development of democratic citizenship society in Kosovo. The main activities of the project were: • A research on understanding of basic concepts of citizenship was conducted with school children all over Kosovo. 25 schools with 1500 students of 8th grade were the target of the research. A report from the research was prepared and published. The report was a basis for future interventions in this field. • A manual for teachers on civic education was developed. It relies pretty much on the outcomes of the research, and helps teachers to address important issues in teaching citizenship. In order to facilitate this process, trainings and informative session with teachers of civic education were organized. Main results: 1. The understanding of citizenship among Kosovo children is assessed through a research. 2. A manual on citizenship education is produced.Implementation Period |
01/08/2009 to 30/09/2013 |
Budget |
€264.419 |
Partners and Donors |
Rectors' Conference of the Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences (KFH) Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) Zurich University of Education (PHZH) |
Personnel |
Mapping Policies and Practices for Inclusive Education in the Balkans
Project Description
The objective of the project was mapping and analyzing the existing policies and practices of pre-service and in-service preparation of teachers with a view towards exploring scope for improvements in development of the skills, and competences required for inclusive education practices by teachers from primary and secondary education. In 2009, the ETF initiated a study on “Mapping policies and practices for the preparation of teachers for inclusive education in contexts of social and cultural diversity of the Western Balkans countries”, that was concluded in 2010. The overall objective of this research project was to contribute to the promotion of inclusive education and training policies, and practices in Western Balkans countries in contexts of social and cultural diversity. The Project implementation was divided into four phases:- Drafting of a conceptual framework based on the contemporary research findings in areas of inclusion, teacher education and teacher thinking.
- Identifying the gap between a desired image of a teacher competent for inclusive education practices and the existing policies, and practice of pre-service and in-service training of primary, and secondary school teachers. The work was done through desk research, survey and country mission.
- Drafting of country reports for seven Western Balkans countries: Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro.
- Producing the cross-country report to synthesize the findings of the 7 country studies.
- Common methodology and outline for the country reports;
- Country reports;
- Conceptual framework for the comparative study of the national reports;
- Synthesis Report
Implementation Period |
01/07/2009 to 01/09/2010 |
Budget |
€255,000 |
Partners and Donors |
European Training Foundation (ETF) |
Personnel |
Advancing Participation and Representation of Ethnic Minority Groups in Education (APREME)
Project Description
The objective of the project was to advance participation and representation of minority ethnic groups in education systems in the Western Balkans Countries by promoting good practices and supporting local initiatives. The Project “Advancing Participation and Representation of Ethnic Minority Groups in Education” aimed to empower students, teachers and parents to build initiatives that advance participation and representation of ethnic minorities in elementary (compulsory) education. The project started by qualitative research to solicit the opinions of parents and other community members on the current practices of school-parent-community involvement strategies of schools in regards of creating an inclusive participatory environment, i.e. the efforts to engage parents belonging to ethnic minorities into school level governance. National surveys and the Regional summary were published in English and the languages of the Region. The findings were summarized and discussed on regional level. Collection of good education stakeholders’ practices to reduce inequity and raise the quality of education took place in parallel to the above. It included a review of different types of interventions initiated and/or implemented through stakeholder participation (school students and parents in particular) with the aim to advance educational inclusion and quality at school and local community level and provide mechanism(s) for horizontal learning and best practice exchange thus supporting sustainable initiatives on institutional and local level. Final product was a book with good practices. Following this, local communities engaged in actions planning to translate their views on inclusion and quality into practical programmes at the local level. These local initiatives, in order to promote inclusion and quality culminated in regional conferences, which showcased and discussed the outcomes of the project.Implementation Period |
19/05/2009 to 18/05/2011 |
Budget |
€391.700 |
Partners and Donors |
European Union Open Society Institute (OSI) |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Prevention of Peer Violence
Project Description
The main objectives of the project were: • To raise awareness of the schools on issues related to children’s rights • To build a positive self-image of children • To overcome the intolerance among children and teachers • To define the forms of peer violence and raising awareness among children and teachers Monitoring and evaluation activities were carried out in 10 primary schools, which were willing to participate in the project and 3 teachers from each school were involved in trainings. They were expected to disseminate knowledge and learned skills among other colleagues. One local coordinator for each of participating schools was appointed among psychology graduates who, in the meantime, established the new organization – Foundation Together Kosova. The project had a “pyramid structure”. Initially, seminars for 30 teachers were organized in cooperation with Foundation Together Slovenia. Each seminar was followed by its own phase of the project, with specific goals and tasks. After the seminars the teachers were obliged to train their other colleagues with the help of local coordinator. The coordinator works with schools, providing them support and empowerment when needed. Coordinator is supervised by professionals from the Foundation Together Slovenia. Main results: • Handbook for work in schools prepared and distributed to the participants • Two seminars successfully executed • School Programme developed and implementedImplementation Period |
01/02/2009 to 31/12/2009 |
Budget |
€32,050 |
Partners and Donors |
Foundation Together Slovenia |
Personnel |
Ardita Kabashi |
Advancing of communication with parents in Kosovo schools
Project Description
“Advancing of communication with parents in Kosovo schools” was a result of a broad research on inclusion of parents in school life, which was carried out in the framework of a regional project to include 539 primary schools of Kosovo. One of the recommendations of this research was to draft procedures for more effective meetings with parents. This project aimed at advancing communication between schools and parents. The specific objective of this project is to find out if new methods of communication with parents are beneficial for increased participation of parents in school life. For this reason, six schools were selected with three of them from urban and three from rural areas. Each school selected two representatives, one from the school staff (usually the school principal), and one from among the parents, who participated in a workshop where procedures and the new methodology of communication with parents were drafted. The workshop came up with a methodology and procedures for individual meetings with parents, which are not a common practice in Kosovo schools. The methodology and procedures were presented and distributed to teachers of selected schools. The teachers were asked to hold monitored meetings with individual parents. In the end, information was collected from teachers and school principals of the selected schools regarding the cooperation with parents in general, and the benefits from individual meetings according to new procedures and methodologies.Implementation Period |
01/02/2009 to 30/11/2009 |
Budget |
$11,261 |
Partners and Donors |
Open Society Institute (OSI) |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Promoting the Rights of the Child in the field of Education
Project Description
The objective of the project was to raise awareness on the situation of children’s rights in the field of education in Kosovo by organizing concerted monitoring action of civil society organizations in cooperation with central and local authorities and building capacity of schools to contribute to this endeavor. The project had two major components: 1. A system for monitoring and reporting the situation of children’s rights was developed in close cooperation with the MEST and local authorities. 30 schools from Prizren and Prishtina region were selected. In those schools monitoring process actively involved school committees for protection of children’s rights. Particular attention was paid to schools with substantial number of ethnic minority students, students with disabilities and students from other disadvantaged groups. In addition, a control group of thirty schools matching target school in multiple ways was selected, also for the purpose of monitoring of children’s rights in the field of education. Following the training of external monitors and school monitors, the monitoring action was carried out four times during the lifetime of the Project. Annual monitoring reports allowed the comparison of results between the two groups of schools, with slightly better situation in targeted schools due to activities of school committees. 2. This action entailed a lot of work with committees of children’s rights in Kosovo schools, which started by establishing new or mobilizing existing committees, to continue building their capacity for monitoring action, and awareness raising activities in their area of responsibility. In each targeted school, 2-3 teachers/parents were involved in working with committees, and they also benefited from capacity building activities of the project. Main results: 1. A system for monitoring and reporting situation of children’s rights in the field of education was developed. 2. Improved capacity of students to identify and address cases of violation of children's rights in the education system.Implementation Period |
15/01/2009 to 15/07/2011 |
Budget |
€140,600 |
Partners and Donors |
European Union Fondacioni i Kosovës për Shoqëri të Hapur (KFOS) |
Personnel |
Ardita Kabashi |
Kosovision
Project Description
The Kosovision Project is a national contest in which all primary schools in Kosovo participate, more specifically, fifth grade pupils of all ethnic backgrounds. The number of participants is 30,000-35,000 per year. The children deal with topics present in their immediate environment: living together, education, economy, infrastructure, environment. From the methodological point of view this corresponds to the process of Education for Democratic Citizenship as it is promoted by the Council of Europe. The main objectives of the project are enhancing the abilities and skills of the Kosovision Contest participants (pupils) to address real life community issues in a creative and responsible way. The aim of the project was that by the academic year 2014/2015, to transform the Kosovision Contest into a regular activity of primary education in Kosovo. During the period of September 2008 - June 2014, the project was funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), meanwhile starting from September 2014-June 2017 the funding was offered by MEST, based on an agreement of understanding with SDC, with an annual amount of 93,000 EUR. The project will constantly try to integrate kosovar serbs pupils into the project. Main results: 1. Three cycles of Kosovision Contest are completed. 2. Teachers are capable to promote participation of children in democratic processes. 3. MEST takes the necessary measures to integrate Kosovision Contest in the regular education system.Implementation Period |
06/09/2008 to 30/06/2017 |
Budget |
€ 1.465.132 |
Partners and Donors |
Ministria e Arsimit, e Shkencës dhe e Teknologjisë (MASHT) Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) |
Personnel |
Ardita Kabashi |
Creation of safe environments in Kosovo schools
Project Description
The main objective of the project was to contribute building safe environments in Kosovo schools. The project was divided into two major components. The Advocacy Component related to outputs 1&2 and consists of various awareness raising and networking activities, including conferences, promotional activities, and exchange of information. In its training component, the project focused on 300 teachers who would be empowered to facilitate creation of safe environments in their home institutions. The main project activities were: 1. Awareness raising activities • Organizing round-tables, debates, and a national fair, • Distributing of educational materials for safer schools, • Organizing school-based promotional and activities. 2. Network for promoting safe schools • Working with school committees for safety. • Developing a manual for school committees, • Establishing municipal committees for school safety. 3. Development of training program • Developing the safe school concept in a participatory way, • Developing training program for trainers, • Developing training program for teachers. 4. Capacity for creating safe school environments • Provision of a 5-day training program for 30 trainers, • Provision of a 2- day program for 300 teachers and monitoring. Main results: 1. Improved awareness on the role and importance of creation of safer, non-violent and human environments in the educational institutions. 2. A stable and powerful network for promotion and implementation of a safer school concept built. 3. Training program for building and empowering local capacities for implementation of the idea of safer schools developed. 4. Capacity for implementing and promoting safe, non-violent and friendly school environment built.Implementation Period |
01/09/2008 to 31/08/2009 |
Budget |
€62,895 |
Partners and Donors |
UNICEF |
Personnel |
Quality of education in the region of Dukagjini
Project Description
The Kosova Education Centre, in partnership with Avsi (Italy) and Cesal (Spain) organizations, implemented in 2009 a research in the Dukagjini region, including municipalities of Peja, Gjakova, Klina, Istog, Rahovec, Junik, Deçan, and Malisheva. This research included most of the schools in these municipalities. At the same time, the research involved all teachers and principals in the selected schools. For a better implementation of the research, Didactic Centres of Peja and Gjakova were mobilized to provide logistical support, such as distribution and collecting of questionnaires. The total number of teachers included in this research was 1277 from the Peja region and 1492 from the Dukagjini region; there were also 111 school principals who participated in the research. The good cooperation between partners in the research increased performance and allowed for efficient implementation. The project produced a sizable report, which offered substantial data and useful recommendations that were presented before all stakeholders. Apart from the report, the project organized other activities that aimed at increasing capacities of Didactic Centers.Implementation Period |
01/09/2008 to 01/09/2008 |
Budget |
€7,000 |
Partners and Donors |
AVSI-CESAL |
Personnel |
PCM Training for the MAFRD
Project Description
The Project Cycle Management Training for officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD) was implemented by Kosova Education Center (KEC) during the 15 weeks of interactive work, with a mutually agreed break during the summer holidays. In order to best achieve the foreseen project results, a double track strategy was applied: 1. The theory and training part: a simulation project was developed in a phased approach during the contact sessions (“Institution and capacity building for Regional Advisory Centers”); 2. Practical – hands-on part: Students were divided in four groups and coached through a phased approach of writing a concrete real project proposal. Both training and practical part witnessed a lot of interaction and discussion going on between trainers and students, but also among students, with some moderation by trainers, in the process of building project proposals. There were also a few presentations (theory part) by the trainers and by the trainees (phased presentation of project proposals). The implementing agency and trainers made all materials for work available to the trainees on a continuous basis in electronic format through the web platform, and in hard copy during the plenary session and group work.Implementation Period |
09/06/2008 to 05/12/2008 |
Budget |
€7,000 |
Partners and Donors |
European Union |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Coaching of projects in support of RAE Communities education
Project Description
The main objective of this project was the improvement of implementing capacities of the three organizations implementing projects in support of education of Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities. The project included the following activities: • Monthly reporting by the Centers • Field visits • Organization of meetings between the Centers • Training of teachers working in Centers • Training for public school teachers • Printing of a brochure. Main project achievements were the following: • Non-governmental organizations: Association “Durmish Aslano” in Prizren, “Centre of Ashkali Community” NGO in Dubrava and the Bethany Christian Services (BCS) in Gjakova, were expected to submit regular monthly reports on their work and implemented activities. These reports were later merged in a single report that presented a comprehensive outline of the project implementation. The reporting mechanism served also as a lever for timely implementation of activities. • Field visits were organized by KEC with a purpose to provide a closer view into implementation of activities. These visits did not target only NGOs involved in project implementation, but also beneficiaries, partners and other stakeholders. These provided additional information into the dynamics and quality of implementation of project activities. • Other achievements of this project were the several joint meetings with representatives of the three Centers engaged in project implementation. These meetings were good opportunities for exchange of experience and resulted in new initiatives for development of various activities that would contribute in the field of education of RAE communities. • Training events with staff engaged in the Centres / NGOs and with teachers working in public schools with children from RAE communities contributed to the adequate and timely implementation of activities. These trainings helped to increase capacities of the Centres and, at the same time, endowed them with knowledge on new teaching methods and contributed to alleviate and mitigate prejudices, stereotypes and discrimination. For the same purpose, a brochure was designed and published as part of the project campaign against discrimination and segregation.Implementation Period |
15/03/2008 to 31/12/2008 |
Budget |
€9.123 |
Partners and Donors |
Fondacioni i Kosovës për Shoqëri të Hapur (KFOS) |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Educating Divided Citizens
Project Description
This research is part of a larger project entitled "Devided education – devided citizens?" which was conducted in eight countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Romania, Slovakia and Tajikistan. The research was coordinated by the Network of Education Policy Centers (NEPC) headquartered in Croatia, while the research activities in Kosovo were conducted by the Kosovo Education Center. The research began with two focus groups, one composed of Albanians and the other of Serb students. Then, a survey was conducted of 597 students and 94 teachers from schools with instruction in Albanian and Serbian language teaching. Based on the analysis the following recommendations were provided:- Kosovo's institutions should respect all rights granted by the Constitution and law to facilitate the integration of the Serb community in Kosovo education system, using the incentives where considered appropriate.
- Without prejudice to the right of the Serb community to adopt plans and programs of the Republic of Serbia, while they are not in contradiction with the principles of coexistence and peaceful coexistence, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology should provide the opportunity of the formalization of these contents, including those in the educational curriculum of Kosovo in Serbian language teaching.
- Children and young people of all communities should be able to learn more about the prospects of other communities. This can be achieved through a multi-perspective approach to teaching history, where children, in addition to the interpretation of historical events from the national perspective, can learn about the views of other communities in relation to the same events.
- Learning environment on an optional basis is another tool for building understanding between young people from different ethnic communities, as well as organizing joint educational activities.
Implementation Period |
10/01/2008 to 28/02/2008 |
Budget |
€5,341 |
Partners and Donors |
|
Personnel |
Ardita Kabashi |
Coordination of Research Policies with the Western Balkans Countries (WBC-INCO.NET)
Project Description
WBC-INCO.NET’s core objectives were to support the bi-regional dialogue between the EU, associated FP7 countries and the Western Balkans Countries (WBC) and to enhance the participation of WBC researchers in European RTD projects by structural measures. The consortium included 29 partners. Among them were the ministries for science as well as ministries for economy from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. In addition, S&T ministries from Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Slovenia and Turkey participated in the consortium to add critical mass and momentum. The political dimension at the bi-regional level was closely intertwined with the Steering Platform on Research for WBC, implemented under the Austrian EU Presidency together with the EC in 2006. WBC-INCO.NET also supported the dialogue within the region and an information exchange with several EC Directorates General and international stakeholders, such as UNESCO or World Bank. The dialogues were substantiated with several analytical inputs. For this purpose, top European and regional S&T analysis institutions participated in WBC-INCO.NET. It aimed, e.g., to identify research areas of mutual benefit in an inclusive and comprehensive manner. Moreover, WBC-INCO.NET monitored the take-up of identified research areas in forthcoming RTD programmes and the participation of WBC researchers in collaborative FP7 projects. Existing cooperation patterns were analyzed by social network methodologies and barriers of cooperation explored by empirical investigations. WBC-INCO.NET also put emphasis on the building of capacities and the facilitation of networking opportunities for researchers in order to improve absorption quantities and qualities and to enhance a better international recognition of existing WBC potentials. Several renowned European NCP-organizations and research agencies have committed their capacities to join WBC-INCO.NET and to support the integration of the WBC region into the ERA.Implementation Period |
01/01/2008 to 30/04/2014 |
Budget |
€3,048,470 |
Partners and Donors |
European Union |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
The interaction between human capital development and technological change: evidence from the Western Balkans (GDN)
Project Description
This study addresses the link between technological change and employer-provided training in the Western Balkans. It is hypothesised that firms subject to technological change have an increased demand for skills and one mechanism to accommodate this demand is by providing additional training for their workforce. To test this proposition data are extracted from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development-World Bank Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey (BEEPS) from waves 2002 and 2005. Probit and tobit estimations are used to analyse the impact of technological change upon training incidence and intensity. The findings of this analysis suggest that firms that undergo technological change are indeed more likely to provide training and there is some evidence that they provide a greater training intensity. This positive association between technological change and training suggests that one way to address under-investment in training in the Western Balkans is by enhancing incentives for firms to undertake technological change.Implementation Period |
01/01/2008 to 31/12/2008 |
Budget |
$9,995 |
Partners and Donors |
GDN/CERGE-EI Foundation |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Civil Society for Increased Participation in Education (CSIP)
Project Description
The specific objective of the project was to mobilize local resources in order to increase the participation of children from disadvantaged groups in pre-school and primary education by strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations to engage in cooperation with parents, schools, as well as local and central authorities. The Project focused on strengthening the capacity of partner organizations to improve access to pre-school and compulsory education for children from disadvantaged groups, including children from low income families, disabled, minorities, and so on. The main beneficiaries of the project were two local associations, Union of Education, Science and Culture of Kosovo (SBASHK) and Kosovar Association for Human and Children's Rights (KAHCR), whereas the role of two other project partners, the Kosova Education Center (KEC) and the International Step by Step Association (ISSA) were to offer expertise in order to build a solid and sustainable Network of education organizations. The major activities were: • Building organizational and management capacities of partner associations by providing exposure to experience within the Region; specific training focused on organizational change and development, participatory planning skills (PCM), monitoring and evaluation; and on-site consultancy based on needs of partner associations. • Setting up a Network of participation for the civil society organizations from Kosovo and develop its short-term strategy. • Building capacities of partnership with organizations to advocate and engage in policy analyses and formulation with central and local authorities by providing an appropriate training • Develop policies related to participation and retention in education • Train 500 members of SBASHK and KAHCR for children’s rights, anti-bias, and advocacy in local level. Main results: 1. A functioning strategic network between the three local partners (KEC, SBASHK and KAHCR) was built. 2. Policies related to participation and retention in pre-school and primary education formulated in cooperation with central and local authorities. 3. Members of SBASHK and KAHCR have capacity to influence participation in education at local level.Implementation Period |
06/02/2007 to 06/08/2008 |
Budget |
€309,343 |
Partners and Donors |
European Union |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Multi-Cultural Education
Project Description
The aim of Multi-Cultural Education project was creating a new mindset on the role and importance of quality education and education on human and children’s rights for the prosperity of the Kosovar society, education for active peace as the key precondition for the development of the citizens of Kosovo, regardless of their ethnicity, race, religion or their social, political, economic, gender or any other background and affiliation. The main objectives of the project were: • Increase the awareness of the role and importance of the multicultural education; • Development of local capacity for multicultural education; • Develop a manual for multicultural education; • Develop multicultural and multiethnic activities The main activities were: • Developing ToT (Training of Trainers) program, • Organizing ToT with trainers of “Education for Children’s Rights”, program • Training of the teachers, mainly engaged in social sciences in accordance with the program “Multicultural education”, • Developing the manual for Multicultural education, • Developing the curriculum on Multicultural Education, • Organizing multicultural social events. Main results: 1. 25 counsellors for Child Rights were included in ToT (Training of Trainers); 2. 120 teachers, mainly engaged in social sciences were trained in accordance with the “Multicultural education” program; 3. Various social activities based on multicultural education were held in different locations in Kosovo; 4. 10 discussions and debates on multicultural education were organized; 5. Manual on Multicultural Education was drafted; 6. A curriculum on Multicultural Education was drafted. 7. Lesson plans on Multicultural Education were developed and distributed to teachersImplementation Period |
01/01/2007 to 31/12/2015 |
Budget |
€73.066 |
Partners and Donors |
Open Society Institute (OSI) Association of the Education of Adults in Kosovo DVV International |
Personnel |
Education for Social Justice
Project Description
The main objective of the project was promoting equality and diversity in education system in Kosovo, by building capacities of stakeholders in the field of Social Justice. The programme “Education for Social Justice” was a training programme that aimed to establish critical awareness in order to understand cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity as human values. Acceptances of the other without any prejudices, being tolerant and open, are core traits of every citizen and a condition for creating a democratic society. Such an approach allows every citizen to be accepted and treated in a fair and equal way in the individual, social and institutional aspect. The main activities were: • Translation of the Manual on ESJ (Education for Social Justice) • Delivery of ToT (Train of Trainers) • Delivery of field trainings • Organizing social events with teachers and children Main results: 1. Manual on Education of Social Justice translated in Albanian. 2. Training capacities in the field of Social Justice built. 3. Teachers, school administrators and students from different communities trained. 4. Social events with children.Implementation Period |
01/01/2007 to 31/12/2011 |
Budget |
€50,629 |
Partners and Donors |
Open Society Institute (OSI) The World Bank US Embassy OSCE Mission in Kosovo |
Personnel |
Advancing Educational Inclusion and Quality in South East Europe
Project Description
The project “Advancing Educational Inclusion and Quality in South East Europe” was an international research project supported by Open Society Institute Education Support Programme. It corresponded to the decision of OSI-related representatives of 10 SEE countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia). The main objectives of the project were: • Better understanding of the causes of disparities in education quality and equity, by carrying out national surveys of school directors; • To support sustainable initiatives on local, national and regional level to improve quality and inclusion.- Project activities were divided into three groups:
- National surveys of school directors to discover their capabilities, values, attitudes, and practices;
- National surveys of parent’s needs, expectations and experience in regards of school efforts toward their engagement in school life; and
- Action research to initiate new and document existing community-based initiatives that are successful in improving educational quality and inclusion.
Implementation Period |
01/01/2007 to 31/12/2010 |
Budget |
600,000 |
Partners and Donors |
SOROS Foundation |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Education, establishment and monitoring of mechanism for fighting corruption.
Project Description
The project goal is to increase transference and to reduce corrupt practices in the society by promoting active citizenship and by mobilizing citizens in the fight against corruption. The goal of the project is to increase citizens’ awareness on risks coming from corruption, as well as the importance of and ways for fighting it. The main Project activities were: • Preparing the training materials, • Organizing 10 trainings sessions of two days for 300 representatives of Kosovo authorities, community, civil society, and youth organizations in 10 different venues in Kosovo, • Organizing 7 round table discussions on the topics of fighting corruption, • Organizing youth programs on radio and on TV on the topic of fighting corruption, • Organizing a week against corruption in seven regions, • Designing and printing of leaflets on the war against corruption. The main project results were: 1. Building of institutional and community capacities for education against corruption. KEC in cooperation with the Kosovo Agency against Corruption (KAC) have prepared the needed materials for all sessions during the two day trainings. Apart from materials, KEC has also distributed the book “Education against corruption” for all those who were interested to obtain more information on the phenomenon of corruption and the ways of including the idea of efforts against corruption in social subjects of secondary schools. The distributed materials can serve as primary information for a wide spectrum of citizens interested to understand and to include them in various anti-corruption activities. KEC in cooperation with KAC have organized 12 seminars of two days all around Kosovo, with 309 participants from different institutions. The project was planned to be organized in ten seminars, but the small number of participants in these training events required organization of two additional seminars in order to reach the indicator of 300 participants in trainings as per approved project document. KEC has organized 8 round tables. 2. Awareness raising among the youth on causes and consequences of corruption through the “Week against corruption”. KEC, in cooperation with representatives of youth organizations and several local NGOs, organized a week of the fight against corruption in seven bigger towns of Kosovo. The week against corruption was organized from June 24 till July 1st in Prizren, Istog, Gjakova, Gjilan and in Mitrovica, whereas from June 27 till July 5 it was organized in Ferizaj and in Prishtina. Activities organized during the week against corruption include the following: • Distribution of leaflets and posters • Surveys with citizens • Wearing of blouses with the “Stop Corruption” inscription on them • Anti-corruptions statements of the citizens presented on TV • Round table discussions • Seminars with young people • Competitions on the best essays written by secondary school students • A fine arts exhibition • Participation in radio and TV programs • Distribution of the Law Against CorruptionImplementation Period |
01/01/2007 to 30/09/2007 |
Budget |
$23,140 |
Partners and Donors |
USAID Advocacy, Training and Resource Center (ATRC) |
Personnel |
Center for Excellence in teaching at the University of Prishtina
Project Description
Specific objective of this project was to contribute to the advancement of the teaching process at the University of Prishtina by establishing a mechanism and system for implementation of modern teaching strategies, methodologies and innovations and by providing the UP teaching staff with opportunities for continuous development of teaching skills. The project consortium delivered more than it was foreseen in the project document by at least 30 %, thanks to efficient utilization of resources and smooth cooperation between the project partners. The project established a core group of 12 teacher trainers, instead of 10, developed four training modules instead of two, and delivered four training workshops instead of two, hence, increasing the number of participants in the workshops by 40 % at no additional cost. On the other hand, all other activities, such as building sustainable partnership with partner Didactic Centers, recruitment and training of the staff, development of procedures, two study visits, and purchase of books for the Center of Excellence library were implemented as foreseen. Feedback received by the trainees and the University management was excellent. The Center continued to operate beyond the project period but with less successful performance due to the lack of support by the following University managements. The Project was implemented by the Kosova Education Center (KEC) in partnership with the University of Nuremberg, University of Pristina and Pedagogical Academy – Linz.Implementation Period |
01/01/2007 to 01/01/2008 |
Budget |
$202,273 |
Partners and Donors |
European Union |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Roma Inclusion in Education
Project Description
The purpose of this project was to facilitate the development of the Strategy for Integration of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Communities in Kosovo – Education Component 2007-2017. The integration of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in education is one of components of a more comprehensive strategy for integration of these communities in Kosovo, which is being developed under the aegis of the Prime-Ministers Office. Drafting of the strategy in the field of education has been sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MEST) and supported by the Kosovo Foundation for Open Society (KFOS). The process of development of the education component was coordinated by the Kosovo Education Center (KEC) and was characterized by a broad participation of all involved parties: government, Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities representatives, civil society, political parties, international organizations engaged in human and children’s rights (OSCE and UNICEF), etc., who all engaged in continuous efforts for reaching consensus in all key issues. The development of this document benefited significantly from the fact that the Government of Kosovo had already developed and approved its Strategy for Development of Pre-University Education for the years 2007-2017. Both these documents emphasize universal inclusion in education by offering equal opportunities for all, which laid sound grounds for developing the strategy for integration of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in education. This strategic plan envisions 25 measures which can further be elaborated into dozens of concrete projects through which to implement the necessary transformation from the current situation to the fulfillment of the mission of this Strategy. The document was approved by the Ministry of Education in October 2007.Implementation Period |
01/12/2006 to 30/11/2008 |
Budget |
€32,775 |
Partners and Donors |
Fondacioni i Kosovës për Shoqëri të Hapur (KFOS) |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
The strategy for the reorganization of CSK
Project Description
Within this project, KEC has provided professional support to the Ministry of Public Services in the process of developing the Strategy of Civil Service of Kosovo 2007-2012. Support has been reduced on planning and facilitating workshops and methodological aspects of the planning process, while, in substantive terms, work was carried out by a committee of experts established by the Ministry.Implementation Period |
20/03/2006 to 01/11/2006 |
Budget |
€6,570 |
Partners and Donors |
Fondacioni i Kosovës për Shoqëri të Hapur (KFOS) |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Evaluation of projects supporting education of RAE communities for the period of 2006-2007
Project Description
The object of evaluation were KFOS projects that focused on the education of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities which were conducted during 2006 and 2007 by three non-governmental organizations: Association "Durmish Aslano" in Prizren, the NGO "Centre of Ashkali Community" in Dubrava and Bethany Christian Services (BCS) in Gjakova. The evaluation used the qualitative methods of analysis that were conducted through the study of the project documentation, field visits and meetings with all relevant stakeholders in the implementation of projects. From the evidence gathered it was concluded that KFOS funded projects have contributed to the achievement of their common goal - improving the integration of children of beneficiary communities in society.Implementation Period |
18/02/2006 to 15/03/2006 |
Budget |
€1,880 |
Partners and Donors |
Fondacioni i Kosovës për Shoqëri të Hapur (KFOS) |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Development of the General Education Strategy
Project Description
The purpose of this action was to facilitate the development of the General Education Strategy for Kosovo 2007-2017. A series of workshops with wide participation across various education levels, sectors, aspects, and segments, started from identification of weaknesses and strengths, identified the fields to be addressed, defined the vision and mission of the strategy, set out strategic objectives of development and finally provided concrete measures and actions which would best advance the education system in the important years to come for the Kosovar society. These measures were further made more operational in the detailed plan of action and the budget for the years 2007 – 2012. The role of KEC was to provide overall support to the process including expertise and logistics. This Strategy document was approved by the Government of Kosovo in April 2007 and serves as basis for donor coordination in the education sector. Following the Strategy development process KEC prepared a comprehensive monitoring framework for the Ministry of Science, Education and Technology, which provided a tool for monitoring the implementation of strategic measures and achievement of strategic objectives.Implementation Period |
01/01/2006 to 30/06/2007 |
Budget |
€151,130 |
Partners and Donors |
Ministria e Arsimit, e Shkencës dhe e Teknologjisë (MASHT) |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Quality Basic Education For Human Development
Project Description
This research aimed to form a series of recommendations on the basis of discoveries made, which will encourage activities and actions in building a functional system of quality education for all in Kosovo. The main objectives of the research were:- To ascertain the quality of infrastructure, curriculum / textbooks, and teaching and learning in basic education in Kosovo
- To provide systematized and reliable information on the condition and quality of basic education in Kosovo;
- To ascertain the quality of basic education impact on human development;
- To organize a constructive debate in order to ensure Quality Education for All in Kosovo that will have an impact on human development and social capital of Kosovo.
Implementation Period |
17/11/2005 to 30/06/2006 |
Budget |
€25,3000 |
Partners and Donors |
Fondacioni i Kosovës për Shoqëri të Hapur (KFOS) |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Higher Education for Minorities
Project Description
The one-day International Conference on "Higher Education for Minorities in Kosovo" was organized on 18th of May, 2006 in Prishtina with the financial support of the "Forum 2015". By organizing this conference, "Forum 2015" aimed at opening a genuine dialogue to address the important aspect of the education of minorities in Kosovo, in spite of the efforts of the Kosovars to be part of European integration. The primary purpose of the conference was to open a debate on Kosovo society modalities of higher education for minorities in Kosovo, in an effort to meet the needs of ethnic communities to be educated in their mother tongue. The conference was preceded by a study drafted by Georg Woeber, higher education expert from Austria, participants from Kosovo and European countries who have positive experiences in solving the problems of minorities were invited.Implementation Period |
16/02/2005 to 31/07/2005 |
Budget |
€19,000 |
Partners and Donors |
Fondacioni i Kosovës për Shoqëri të Hapur (KFOS) |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Education Against Corruption
Project Description
This project intended to raise awareness among citizens on corruption and ways of combating it by building the capacity of teachers for educating on anti-corruption issues, and by providing a model for anti-corruption mechanisms in education institutions. The project initiated anti-corruption activities within the education system in Kosovo contributing to the promotion of active citizenship in Kosovo. The main results were:- High quality anti corruption resources for teachers were created.
- Teachers’ capacity for educating on anti corruption issues built.
- Increase the awareness of youth on corruption causes and consequences through an anticorruption campaign.
- Anti-corruption mechanisms in education institutions were established.
Implementation Period |
01/01/2005 to 31/03/2007 |
Budget |
€32,510 |
Partners and Donors |
Balkan Trust Democracy (BTC) |
Personnel |
Supporting the education of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities
Project Description
The overall objective of this project was to improve the socio-economic integration of RAE communities in Kosovo. The main aim of the project was to assist the RAE community in improving their participation in education. The idea was to implement the project in three pilot centers and undertake a range of activities within communities and schools in order to increase the interest for education among members of the community and help them work better in education. The project was organized in three locations: Ashkali community in Ferizaj- Through the establishment of contacts between MED and KEC in Ferizaj, it became possible to engage a teacher by the MEST for pree-school ashkali children, a class which opened in the primary school of Zaskok. The Roma community in Prizren. KEC organized additional classes to the community through the centers of this community, and also it organized the preschool teaching for 20 children of this community in a private nursery. For community needs the association "Durmish Asllna" was adopted. Egyptian community in Gjakova- The center coordinator found out that most of the children of this community were not vaccinated. As an emergency activity, the center in collaboration with the Ministry of Health did the proper vaccination for these children. In order to increase the interest of parents for children's health they organized debates and discussions with the citizens of this community.Implementation Period |
28/09/2004 to 31/12/2005 |
Budget |
€106,144 |
Partners and Donors |
Fondacioni i Kosovës për Shoqëri të Hapur (KFOS) |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
I.M.PACT
Project Description
I.M.PACT (Introducing methodology in Education for Democratic Citizenship Initiatives of the Stability Pact) Project was an initiative for South-East Europe aiming at developing management capacities for EDC projects by introducing and disseminating a comprehensive methodology for participatory project planning and self-evaluation. Involving six beneficiary and partner institutions from six participating countries – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kosova, Moldova, Romania and Serbia – the project was developed to respond to the need for capacity building in project design and management, which was identified in the Monitoring Report of the EDC–Working Group. The Project was also aiming at developing the “evaluation culture” as a mean for quality insurance in EDC projects implementation. The following main activities where implemented within the project:- Training of the representatives from the partner institutions;
- Development of a training toolbox and translation in the languages of the partner countries;
- Selection of trainers from each participating country;
- Training of trainers in participatory project planning and self-evaluation;
- Selection of in-country training participants and delivering of trainings;
- In-county follow-up activities;
- Reference group meeting and self-evaluation session.
Implementation Period |
01/09/2004 to 31/12/2005 |
Budget |
|
Partners and Donors |
Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) |
Personnel |
Education for Children’s Rights
Project Description
The purpose of this action was to advance the rights of the child in Kosovo by building local capacity to deal with children’s rights in education system and by bringing the children’s rights issue high on the political agenda. The main components of the Project were: 1) Building local training capacity; 2) Building capacity for child rights counseling in primary schools; 3) Improving the situation of child rights in schools; 4) Developing a child rights curriculum at the Faculty of Education; 5) Raising public awareness of child rights. This Project has contributed to building an effective capacity within the education system:- 49 children's rights trainers,
- 1,200 teachers trained for children's rights counselors in schools,
- 500 school committees on children's rights established,
- 3 books published,
- Children's rights curriculum for the Faculty of Education developed
Implementation Period |
01/11/2003 to 31/10/2006 |
Budget |
€345,765 |
Partners and Donors |
Trocaire-Ireland American Bar Association SOROS Foundation UNICEF |
Personnel |
Ardita Kabashi |
Education Participation Improvement Project (EPIP) 1&2
Project Description
The main objective of the project was to improve educational attainment at primary and secondary education levels and to enhance access of vulnerable groups to education The Project provided grants to primary and secondary schools in Kosovo to address the enrolment and attendance problems. Schools, which were pre-selected by local authorities, conducted project proposals aimed at increasing the participation in primary and secondary education. School projects, developed in a participatory way, covered a wide range of interventions, including improvement of the infrastructure and the school environment, but also projects addressing the quality of education. In the second phase of the Project the focus was on schools with significant proportion of ethnic minority students. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) was the beneficiary of the World Bank/CIDA grant of 5.1 mil. USD, whereas KEC was contracted by the Ministry to provide technical assistance in order to ensure overall project management and implementation at the school, in the municipal and regional levels. This was carried out by providing support for the outreach activities, including training on project planning and procurement, monitoring, etc. The grants were awarded based on the school development plans and grant proposals, which were evaluated by the Municipal School Grants Teams (MSGTs) and approved by the central School Grants Approval Board (SGAB). The participating schools also developed simple monitoring and evaluation plans and brief reports. Main results:- Over 600 schools have benefited from the school grant scheme,
- Schools have strengthened their capacities and improved infrastructure in order to improve participation,
- Increased accountability and participation via active school boards and school-municipal government partnerships.
Implementation Period |
07/10/2003 to 30/01/2009 |
Budget |
€455,770 |
Partners and Donors |
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) SOROS Foundation The World Bank |
Personnel |
Reading and Writing for Critical Thinking (RWCT)
Project Description
The objectives of the project are: Implementation of various techniques and strategies of the RWCT programme to assist teachers in:- Creation of classes that initiate open and responsible interactions
- Usage of teaching structure that will encourage critical thinking and independent learning
- Usage of various techniques that will assist pupils in the process of gaining new knowledge
- Serving as a resource of knowledge for other teachers
View Project
Implementation Period |
01/10/2002 |
Budget |
€1,000,000 |
Partners and Donors |
Ministria e Arsimit, e Shkencës dhe e Teknologjisë (MASHT) The World Bank Open Society Institute (OSI) UNICEF |
Personnel |
School Grants Pilot Project (SGPP)
Project Description
The World Bank funded School Grants Pilot Project (SGPP) was launched in July 2002 with the aim of helping communities reach full enrollment, reduce drop outs, increase school attendance as well as educational attainment in secondary schools. Kosova Education Center (KEC) was contracted by UNMIK (Ministry of Education, Science and Technology) to provide technical assistance for the implementation of the SGPP. The main activities accomplished within the Project were:- Preparation of methodology and training handbook (completed in August 2002);
- Preparation of application forms (completed in August 2002);
- Preparation of evaluation guidelines (completed in September 2002);
- Preparation of Evaluation Board and Regional Outreach Team procedures (completed in September 2002);
- Staffing and training of regional outreach teams in two regions: Prishtina and Gjakova (completed in August 2002);
- Conducting the information campaigns in the regions in order to inform the stakeholders about the SGPP (completed in September 2002);
- Selecting 22 schools for participation in the SGP (completed in September 2002);
- Training of representatives of selected schools and municipal education officials in school development planning and proposal writing (completed in September 2002);
- Providing assistance to selected schools in developing school plans and project proposals (November 2002);
- Submitting the 22 proposals to the Evaluation Board (December 2002);
- Decision of the Evaluation Board to fund 10 school projects (December 2002).
Implementation Period |
16/07/2002 to 31/03/2003 |
Budget |
€23,355 |
Partners and Donors |
The World Bank |
Personnel |
Child Friendly School Initiative
Project Description
In June 2001, Kosova Education Center (KEC) was contracted to provide training on interactive learning methodologies to the first group of 10 pilot schools. The first phase of the Project started in June 2001 and ended in April 2002. In cooperation with the Albanian Reading Association (ARA), KEC designed a training program on Interactive Learning, and produced training materials. The training was delivered to 200 teachers from six training sites: Prishtina, Gjilan, Kaçanik, Mitrovica, Peja and Prizren. In the beginning of 2002 UNICEF Kosovo completed the selection of 35 pilot schools in Kosovo, out of which 4 schools were with teaching in Serbian, whereas 31 other schools offer instruction in Albanian, Bosnian, Turkish and Croatian. In cooperatuion with UNICEF and KFOS, KEC implemented the following activities:- Conduct training on Interactive Learning to the second group of 21 pilot schools (~350 teachers);
- Build participatory school management capacity at school level including meetings with school directors on reflection and application of training outcome
- Document best practices of participatory school management and carry out case studies
Implementation Period |
01/06/2002 to 30/09/2003 |
Budget |
€145,751 |
Partners and Donors |
UNICEF Fondacioni i Kosovës për Shoqëri të Hapur (KFOS) |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Higher Education Support Program (HESP)
Project Description
Higher Education Support program (HESP) is a program of the Soros network, which initially was implemented in Kosovo by the Kosovo Foundation for Open Society (KFOS), until 2002 when it was transferred to KEC. In four years of operation within KEC, the program has supported numerous initiatives in the field of higher education, through its own-components:- Development of educational policy
- Discussion Forum
- Teacher Development
- Applicability of knowledge
- Guest teachers
- Cooperation between universities and research institutes
- New branches of social sciences.
Implementation Period |
22/05/2002 to 31/12/2005 |
Budget |
€441,304 |
Partners and Donors |
Fondacioni i Kosovës për Shoqëri të Hapur (KFOS) |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
School Governance and Leadership
Project Description
The training Program is designed to suit professional development needs of education administration staff in all levels, particularly focusing on school administrators. The Program was designed by the KEC experts in cooperation with the AEDP, and consists of 9 modules with a total of 144 contact hours: 1) Foundations of Governance and Leadership; 2) School Legislation; 3) Modern Planning Methodologies; 4) School Project Planning; 5) School-Based Assessment; 6) Characteristics of an Effective School; 7) Curriculum Development; 8) School and Community; 9) Managing Change in Education. In four years of its operation the Program has reached 150 school administrators and teachers with funding from UNICEF and the Open Society Institute (OSI). Certification of participants was carried out based on site visits, semi-structured interviews and portfolio assessment. The Program is awaiting accreditation from the Ministry of Education The modules of the Program were included in the Master level program on School Administration offered by the Department of Pedagogy at the University of Prishtina, whereas the Handbook for School Governance and Leadership developed within the Program has been used for provision of several education management courses at the University. Also, a number of modules were used for specific training of teachers and/or school administrators.Implementation Period |
01/05/2002 to 01/06/2006 |
Budget |
€200,000 |
Partners and Donors |
UNICEF Open Society Institute (OSI) |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Step by Step
Project Description
Step by Step is a learner centered program which promotes modern teaching approaches suitable for Early Childhood Development. The program aims to provide professional development opportunities for educators and teachers, to ensure easier access to new working methods in the classroom and in cooperation with families and with the community, in order to offer new information on education in early childhood and to enable them to exchange experiences with their colleagues both at home and abroad. In this program, children benefit from the new affirmative approach in the classroom, they are active, enjoy freedom of expression and their interests and wishes are fully respected. The Program was developed in 1994 by the Georgetown University in Washington DC with funding from the Open Society Institute. Today, it operates in 30 countries and is coordinated by the International Step-by-Step Association (ISSA) based in the Netherlands. KEC holds the copyright from ISSA for provision of the Program and dissemination of materials in Kosovo. The Program has nine different variations. It is offered to pre-school teachers working with children aged 0-3 in form of two modules – basic training and advanced training – each module encompassing 24-40 contact hours and classroom monitoring, and the same applies to teachers working with children aged 3-6 and grade 1 teachers. However, there is only one 40 contact hours module being offered to grade 2-4 teachers. Monitoring is an integral part of the Program and represents a necessary requirement for certification of teachers based on Program standards. Provision of training:- Training of teachers
- Classroom monitoring and support
- Networking of teachers
- Development of training materials
View Project
Implementation Period |
01/04/2002 |
Budget |
€1,500,000 |
Partners and Donors |
The World Bank UNICEF Ministria e Arsimit, e Shkencës dhe e Teknologjisë (MASHT) Open Society Institute (OSI) |
Personnel |
Hana Zylfiu-Haziri |
Ministry Empowerment Project
Project Description
This project was funded by the World Bank and the objective was to train 50 staff from the MEST based on the following training program: 1. Interactive Learning (24 hrs) 2. School-Based Evaluation (24 hrs) 3. Integrated planning and evaluation of education projects (30 hrs) The project activities were completed from March 4-April 24, 2002. KEC was contracted to deliver the same training program to the staff of municipal education directorates and education development offices, but the decision was later suspended by the World Bank because of administrative reasons.Implementation Period |
26/01/2002 to 06/07/2002 |
Budget |
€32,000 |
Partners and Donors |
The World Bank |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Quality Education Program
Project Description
This project was initiated in Summer 2000 in order to fulfill immediate needs of Kosova schools for training and teaching aids. Twenty schools were involved in the first phase of the Project which was concluded in December 2000. The schools having participated in this phase of the Project established the Association of Quality Schools, which is registered as an NGO and received seed funding from KEC. The first phase of the Project was co-funded by International Rescue Committee (IRC) and KFOS. In the second year of operation, the project was extended to 13 new schools with a slightly different training concept, whereas in the third phase of the Project, 10 new schools were included. The funding has been provided by the Save the Children UK and KFOS. In early 2003 a regional round table regarding Child’s Rights was organized, which analyzed the impact of the activities of professional development of teachers in respect of child’s rights, and attempted to derive lessons from regional experiences. For this reason, a study involving over 2,000 students from all communities of the schools involved in the project, as well as from schools that were not included in the project was organized. The Regional Roundtable was held in May 2003, and it received financial support from the East-East Program by Soros Foundation and Save the Children UK. This workshop was attended by local experts and other regional countries, as well as a significant number of Kosovar education workers. Some of the recommendations of the Conference served as a starting point for a new project in the field of child rights.Implementation Period |
24/10/2001 to 26/03/2005 |
Budget |
€138,050 |
Partners and Donors |
International Rescue Committee (IRC) Save the Children UK Fondacioni i Kosovës për Shoqëri të Hapur (KFOS) Open Society Foundation (OSF) |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Didactic Centers in Kosovo
Project Description
The purpose of the project was to contribute to the advancement of the teaching process in Kosovo schools by establishing an information system on modern teaching strategies, methodologies and innovations. The Project helped establishing five teacher resource and training centers (didactic centers) in five Kosovo regional centers: Prizren, Ferizaj, Gjakova, Peja and Gjilan One of the key reasons for introducing the didactic center concept in early 2000 was the lack of teaching resources in schools and lack of perspective that it would be possible to procure even simple resources to schools in short and medium term. The orientation was to procure simple materials and equipment that could be used by most of teachers, regardless of working conditions in schools. Posters, overheard projectors, education video-tapes, various consumables were only a part of equipment and materials procured to the centers. Also, as the market was developing and the offer expanding it was possible to procure other materials. Most of the in-service training in Kosovo provided in the period 2000-2003 took place in the didactic canters. In three years more than 8,500 teachers and school administrators were reached by training through the didactic centers. The trainings were provided by the didactic centers’ staff or contractors, KEC and other training providers. Following the completion of project activities, didactic centers were handed over both the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and they continue to serve their purpose as part of the Kosovo Education System. The main activities of the project were:- Create adequate conditions for the preparation of teaching activities
- Provide access to information for teachers
- Facilitate the flow of information on good teaching
- Organize in-service training for teachers and school administrators.
Implementation Period |
01/10/2000 to 01/09/2003 |
Budget |
€700,000 |
Partners and Donors |
Open Society Institute (OSI) Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |
Promoting cooperation between school, family and community
Project Description
Community Centres project was carried out in seven countries of Eastern Europe and, by the end of 2003 was coordinated by the Open Society Institute in Budapest. At the end of 2003, the last funds were allocated that covered the financing of the project up to the end of 2004, while coordinating office in Budapest has ceased to operate. With the support of the project, in Kosovo four community centers: in Dobrushë (Istok), in Korishë (Prizren), Kijeve (Kline) and Koshare (Ferizaj) were established. Community centers have been operating in village schools or other appropriate facilities and public benefit activities in the community, including educational activities, youth, sports and culture. Each center had an annual fund that made possible the development of these activities which were managed by its center. Two centers, Dobrusha and Korisha, have managed to get funding from the Information Program of KFOS and have established Internet centers.Implementation Period |
to 31/12/2004 |
Budget |
€115,450 |
Partners and Donors |
Open Society Institute (OSI) Fondacioni i Kosovës për Shoqëri të Hapur (KFOS) |
Personnel |
Petrit Tahiri |