European Centre for Minority Issues in Kosovo

07/11/2025

Working Together for Effective Implementation

ECMI Kosovo organised a collaborative workshop “Together for Effective Implementation” with grantees of the Micro-Granting Scheme, organized within the GIZ-funded project “Strengthening Migration Governance and Civil Society Capacities in Kosovo.”

What happened
- The first session showcased an inspiring series of project presentations from civil society organizations, each tackling migration-related challenges through innovative and community-driven initiatives. From supporting migrant workers’ rights and inclusion to strengthening access to information and services, the projects demonstrated impressive diversity and commitment.
- The discussion that followed highlighted strong potential for collaboration and synergy among organizations—laying the groundwork for shared impact and coordinated actions ahead.

The second part of the workshop focused on ECMI Kosovo’s presentation of the Financial Implementation and Reporting Package, offering practical guidance to facilitate transparent and effective project reporting within the Micro-Granting Scheme.

Why it mattered
The workshop reaffirmed the strength and creativity of civil society in advancing migration governance in Kosovo. Each project represents a meaningful step toward more inclusive, rights-based, and sustainable migration management, proving that collective action drives real change.

01/10/2025

Building a Practical Resource for Migrant Workers in Kosovo

ECMI Kosovo is facilitating the completion of the Draft Guide for Foreign Workers in Kosovo, aiming to provide a practical, user-friendly resource to help foreign workers understand every step of the employment process: from entering Kosovo and securing residence/work permits, to knowing their labour rights, obligations, and available protections.

On 24–25 September, ECMI Kosovo hosted a two-day workshop in Gjilan to review this Draft Guide, within the framework of the GIZ Kosovo funded project “Strengthening Migration Governance and Civil Society Capacities in Kosovo”.

What happened
Representatives from the Labour Inspectorate, the Employment Agency, the Department for Labour Market Policies and Employment, the Ombudsperson Institution, Kosovo Police, and the Chamber of Mediators joined to examine and refine the Draft Guide.

Day 1 introduced the Guide’s structure and purpose. Participants then began an article-by-article review, offering comments on clarity, accessibility, and scope.
Day 2 continued with intensive discussion, resulting in concrete recommendations to strengthen the Guide. Stakeholders also committed to submit additional written feedback to ensure a comprehensive final version.

Why it mattered
The workshop confirmed strong institutional commitment to making Kosovo’s labour migration system more transparent, accessible, and rights-based. Once finalized, the Guide will serve as a vital tool for foreign workers—empowering them to navigate employment in Kosovo with confidence and equal treatment.

15/08/2025

Strengthening skills for people-focused migration services

On 7–8 August, ECMI Kosovo advanced its GIZ Kosovo-funded project, “Strengthening Migration Governance and Civil Society Capacities in Kosovo,” with a two-day training for the second group of 20 staff from the Agjencia e Punësimit e Republikës së Kosovës (APRK).

What happened?
• Day 1 focused on Crisis and Emergency Migration Management, equipping participants with both practical and interpersonal skills essential for responding to urgent migration situations. The day ended with an open discussion on the key challenges APRK teams face when working directly with migrant workers.
• Day 2 built on this foundation, covering institutional coordination, complaint-handling procedures, and strategies for ensuring rights-based and inclusive employment services.

Why it mattered?
This second training round reinforced APRK’s role as a central pillar in supporting the integration of migrant workers into the labour market. By combining technical expertise with strong interpersonal approaches, participants are now better equipped to respond swiftly, fairly, and effectively to the needs of migrant workers in Kosovo.

05/08/2025

OPEN CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS
ECMI Kosovo is proud to launch the Micro-Granting Scheme, part of the “Strengthening Migration Governance and Civil Society Capacities in Kosovo” project, with support from GIZ Kosovo through the Shaping Development-Oriented Migration programme.

Are you a civil society organization passionate about migrant rights, social justice, or gender equality?
Do you want to:
⚖️ Advocate for labor rights and social inclusion?
🛠️ Address urgent challenges faced by migrant workers?
🤝 Empower local communities and promote equality?

Apply now for grants up to €5,000 and receive technical support from ECMI Kosovo in project planning and financial management.

📅 Key Date:
• Deadline: 15.08.2025

👉 For full details, email us at: [email protected]
📨 Subject line: Request for Micro-Grant Application Package

THIRRJE E HAPUR PËR PROJEKT PROPOZIME
ECMI Kosova ka kënaqësinë të shpallë lansimin e Skemës së Mikro-Granteve, pjesë e projektit “Fuqizimi i Qeverisjes së Migrimit dhe Kapaciteteve të Shoqërisë Civile në Kosovë”, me mbështetjen e GIZ Kosova përmes programit Formësimi i Migrimit të Orientuar nga Zhvillimi (MEG).

A jeni një OShC e përkushtuar ndaj të drejtave të migrantëve, drejtësisë sociale apo barazisë gjinore?
Dëshironi të:
⚖️ Avokoni për të drejtat e punëtorëve dhe përfshirjen sociale?
🛠️ Trajtoni sfidat urgjente me të cilat përballen punëtorët migrantë?
🤝 Fuqizoni komunitetet lokale dhe promovoni barazi?

Aplikoni për grante deri në 5,000 € dhe përfitoni mbështetje teknike nga ECMI Kosova në planifikimin dhe menaxhimin e projekteve.

📅 Data Kryesore:
• Afati i fundit për aplikim: 15.08.2025

👉 Për informata të plota, shkruani në: [email protected]
📨 Titulli i emailit: Kërkesë për Pakon e Aplikimit për Mikro-Grante

OTVORENI POZIV ZA PREDLOGE PROJEKATA
ECMI Kosovo sa zadovoljstvom objavljuje pokretanje Šeme za mikro-grantove, deo projekta „Jačanje upravljanja migracijama i kapaciteta civilnog društva na Kosovu“, uz podršku GIZ Kosovo kroz program Oblikovanje migracija usmerenih ka razvoju (MEG).

Da li ste OGD posvećena pravima migranata, socijalnoj pravdi ili rodnoj ravnopravnosti?
Želite li da:
⚖️ Zastupate prava radnika i društvenu inkluziju?
🛠️ Rešavate hitne izazove sa kojima se suočavaju radnici migranti?
🤝 Osnažite lokalne zajednice i promovišete jednakost?

Prijavite se za grantove do 5.000 € i dobijte tehničku podršku od ECMI Kosovo za planiranje i upravljanje projektima.

📅 Ključni datum:
• Rok za prijavu: 15.08.2025.

👉 Za sve detalje, pošaljite email na: [email protected]
📨 Naslov: Zahtev za paket prijave za mikro-grant

CALL FOR APPLICATION / THIRRJE PËR APLIKIM / POZIV ZA PRIJAVE European Centre for Minority Issues in Kosovo Latest News

27/06/2025

Civil Society at the Core of Fair Migration Governance

On 19–20 June, ECMI Kosovo convened a landmark training session for grassroots civil society organizations (CSOs) as part of the GIZ Kosovo-supported project “Strengthening Migration Governance and Civil Society Capacities in Kosovo”, through the programme "Shaping Development - Oriented Migration" (MEG).

This training marked a first in Kosovo’s migration landscape:
➡️ the largest-scale capacity-building initiative to date focused specifically on empowering grassroots NGOs to address migrant worker rights.
➡️ CSOs are not only being trained—they will also be financially supported to implement field-based projects through ECMI’s sub-granting scheme, enabling practical engagement, advocacy, and rights monitoring at the local level.

🧭 What We Covered
🔹 Day 1 unpacked Kosovo’s legal and institutional framework on migrant labour, connecting policy to the lived experiences of migrant workers—especially those facing precarious conditions.
🔹 Day 2 focused on the active role of CSOs in policy implementation and oversight. The session ended with a lively exchange on Equal Treatment of Migrant Workers, emphasizing how local NGOs can act as watchdogs, service providers, and community advocates.

✊ Feminist-Informed, Field-Ready
Throughout both days, gender mainstreaming was not an add-on—it was central. Participants explored how gender-sensitive migration governance can uncover blind spots, give voice to the most vulnerable (especially women and care workers), and foster inclusive protection mechanisms.

💡 Why It Mattered
Effective migration governance isn’t possible without a strong, active civil society. And for the first time, Kosovo’s grassroots organizations are being given the tools—and the resources—to lead from the ground up.
This training directly supports the project’s objective:
To empower civil society organizations to monitor migrant labor rights, advocate for policy reforms, and provide direct services where institutions fall short.

With the training now complete, the next phase begins:
✔️ Sub-granted CSOs will initiate targeted field projects focused on migrant labor monitoring, advocacy, legal support, and community outreach.
In doing so, they become critical actors in shaping Kosovo’s migration governance—from policy rooms to factory floors, border zones to homes.
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🔖

26/06/2025

Deepening the Frontline: Advancing Migrant Rights with a Gender-Smart Lens

On 12–13 June, ECMI Kosovo convened the second round of Inspektorati Qendror i Punës training under the GIZ Kosovo-funded initiative “Strengthening Migration Governance and Civil Society Capacities in Kosovo", through the programme "Shaping Development - Oriented Migration" (MEG). This dynamic two-day session welcomed 15 new inspectors from regional offices across Kosovo, each bringing unique local perspectives to the national dialogue on migration and labor.

✨ What We Covered
🔹 Day 1 focused on Crisis and Emergency Response within the context of labour migration. Inspectors explored not just procedures—but the emotional intelligence and empathy needed when interacting with vulnerable migrants.
🔹 Day 2 navigated the legal framework protecting migrant workers and examined the roles of Kosovo’s key oversight institutions. Rich, interactive discussions centered on equal treatment, non-discrimination, and feminist-informed practices—highlighting how gender, migration status, and labor rights intersect.

The training wrapped with a practical complaint-handling simulation, equipping participants to apply gender-sensitive and rights-based approaches in real-world situations.

💡 Why It Mattered
This session went beyond enforcement—it humanized it.
By integrating feminist thinking, intersectionality, and field-based realities, inspectors are not just applying the law—they are becoming part of a growing force for equitable and humane migration governance. These trainings are laying the groundwork for a more responsive, rights-centered, and gender-aware inspection system in Kosovo.

Each session, each voice, each insight brings us one step closer to a labor landscape where no worker is invisible, and no vulnerability is overlooked.
—
🔖

04/06/2025

Building Inclusive and Caring Migration Systems in Kosovo

On 30–31 May, ECMI Kosovo, with GIZ Kosovo support through the programme “Shaping Development-Oriented Migration” (MEG), held a dynamic two-day training for 20 Agjencia e Punësimit e Republikës së Kosovës officers as part of our initiative, “Strengthening Migration Governance and Civil Society Capacities in Kosovo.”

Through hands-on exercises, real-life casework, and peer exchange, participants explored how to better support migrant workers, especially those at risk of marginalization.

The training emphasized not only legal access and coordination, but also the need for feminist-informed approaches that recognize migration as a gendered experience and acknowledge the invisible care work often carried by women.
Because a truly inclusive migration system must be built on dignity, equity, and care for everyone.