USAIDs UP to Youth activity aims to empower youth for positive change in their respective communities and build youth resilience to risky behaviours. This five-year activity addresses youth vulnerable to social exclusion by mobilizing and engaging youth in meaningful ways to effect positive change in nine municipalities of Kosovo (Hani i Elezit/Elez Han, Kaçanik/Kačanik, Viti/Vitina, Mitrovicë Jugore/Južna Mitrovica, Vushtrri/Vučitrn, Skënderaj/Srbica, Istog/k, Klinë/a, and Gjakovë/Đakovica).  USAID will achieve this through Up to Youth's three interconnected objectives: 

Youth Mobilization

USAID through Up to Youth mobilizes youth to be a force for positive change by focusing on identifying, recognizing, and bringing together vulnerable youth who have the potential and will for positive change.  Youth are effective change-makers when they can recognize, seek to work with, and improve the structures that prevent them from being forces for positive change.  Interventions will vary according to the specific needs of each partner municipality. 

Building Skills for the Youth

Up to Youth develops and demonstrates life and soft skills among youth by preparing youth with the necessary skills to engage in meaningful ways and play active roles in their municipal and/or national economy.  The building of life and soft skills, and skills for economic development, prepare youth to participate in municipal and/or national decision-making and the economy.  Life and soft skills can be identified as critical thinking, social media literacy, issue advocacy, problem-solving, decision-making, leadership, self-motivation, active listening, self-control, positive self-concept, empathy, negotiation, and tolerance.  Economic life skills include, but are not limited to, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, accessing financing, and accessing mentorship.

Enabling Environment for Youth

Up to Youth develops, builds, and supports resilient partners in fostering an environment for youth to engage in positive and meaningful ways.  This objective focuses on identifying formal /informal actors who can serve as resilience partners, developing existing resilience networks, and build new networks.  Interventions support formal and informal actors and networks, fostering an environment in which youth can contribute in meaningful ways.  Resilience actors include peers, parents, teachers, health officials, school officials, community leaders, local officials, business leaders, religious leaders, Municipal Community Safety Councils, and universities. Interventions include, but are not limited to, developing platforms or processes for effective youth participation and community consultation; supporting structured dialogue on developing employment and income-generating opportunities for youth; and people-to-people dialogue. 

Positive Youth Development Approach

Up to Youth uses the Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach, which embeds four key domains throughout the activity’s three objectives:  assets, agency, contribution, and enabling environment.  Positive Youth Development engages youth together with their families, communities, and/or governments so youth are empowered to reach their full potential.  The PYD approach builds skills, assets, and competencies; fosters healthy relationships; strengthens the environment; and transforms systems. 

KEY RESULTS

• Established a Youth Advisory Board, a diverse group of 20 youth from across Kosovo that represents the voices of youth and whose role is to provide support across the country for youth participating in this program. 

• Over 2,900 youth and parents participated in Up to Youth’s community outreach activities.

• Mobilized over 450 youth throughout nine partner municipalities to improve their capacities and skills for contributing to and benefitting from better communities and livelihoods.

• 133 youth completed the Entrepreneurship and Rapid Market Assessment workshops to assess their municipalities’ potential for future private sector engagement opportunities, helping youth to play active roles in the local and national economy.

• Youth interviewed 127 youth stakeholders as part of a Social Network Analysis that contributes toward a higher level of engagement of formal and informal actors as members of future youth support networks.

Project Duration:            April 2019 – April 2024                                                          

Partner:                               Global Communities

Contact Information:    Merita Teliqi