INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT FOR CITIZENS:

NOTIFICATION: INCREASE OF PENSIONS BY 20% FOR THE CITIZENS OF KOSOVO!

The Ministry of Finance and the Prime Minister of Kosovo informed the citizens that pensions will be increased by 20% as of October 2024 The categories that fall under this citizen assistance package are all those who are beneficiaries of:

– Basic old-age pensions

– Full and partial pensions based on contributions

– Pensions for children and adults with limited abilities

– Pensions for blind people

– Pensions for paraplegic and tetraplegic persons

– Family pensions

– Occupational disability pensions

– Early retirement for Trepča/Trepça workers

Also, as of January 2025, pensions for war-related categories, including the families of martyrs, disabled people, veterans, and victims of sexual violence, will be increased by an additional 20%.

According to the information available to the Government, the number of residents who are part of the above-mentioned pension schemes is 305,016 beneficiaries in total.

For more information about this notification, see the following link:

SRB: https://kryeministri.rks-gov.net/sr/blog/304-016-korisnika-od-povecanja-penzija-od-20-odsto/

Alb: https://kryeministri.rks-gov.net/blog/257598/

GRANTS FOR CITIZENS AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS/BUSINESSES:

NOTIFICATION: Open call for participation in the InvigoratEU Academy: “Successful EU enlargement”!

The Trans-European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA) invites all interested young researchers, non-governmental organizations, civil servants, and think-tanks to apply for the InvigoratEU Academy: “Making EU enlargement a success” will be held in Brussels from 3 to 6 December 2024. This program will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of EU enlargement policy and current geopolitical needs, and will offer you the opportunity to meet senior professionals working on these topics. Through expert-led sessions and meetings with leading EU practitioners, you will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to actively shape and influence the future of the EU.

The Academy is organized within the Horizon Europe project “InvigoratEU: Invigorating Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy For A Resilient Europe”, seeking to produce advanced research and policy recommendations for the EU enlargement policy.

For more information about the Call and how to apply, visit the following link: https://tepsa.eu/events/call-for-applications-invigorateu-academy-making-eu-enlargement-a-success-deadline-october-15/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFP5N1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHXTld7QqJBIQRB4ej9QZZm9V_j-E-3gRjv0cxt21cfltVfy7ZmXc7YO1uQ_aem_CRS6rI_96iua9YqMMVqNdw

Deadline for applying: 15 October 2024.

NOTIFICATION: Launching Call for Project Proposals for the Promotion of Media and Information Literacy!

This Call for Proposals is part of the regional project “SEECheck Network – Fighting disinformation and misinformation through a network of fact-checkers”, which the SeeCheck network is implementing in partnership with “Faktoje” from Albania and “Open Data Kosovo”, with the support of the European Commission. The project includes the disbursement of short-term grants aimed at strengthening the capacities of civil society organizations (CSO) and media outlets to counter disinformation in their respective public spaces.

Local media and CSOs are invited to apply for the SEE Check Granting Scheme under two LOTs:

LOT 1: Support for local media initiatives to enhance fact-checking and credible reporting capacities. These grants are intended for local media entities seeking to engage in fact-checking activities or produce credible content, including debunking disinformation or creating credible fact-based narratives. Projects should result in the production and promotion of such content, alongside enhanced capacities among journalistic and editorial staff. A long-term commitment to producing specialized content and developing internal procedures to ensure content accuracy and credibility will be advantageous in the selection process. Grants may also support the production of specialized engaging content tailored to specific audiences.

LOT 2: Support for local CSOs to enhance capacities in combating disinformation, promoting media literacy, or building resilience. These grants aim to empower local CSOs in the SEE region to conduct activities that strengthen their ability to combat disinformation. Projects can include community initiatives, online campaigns, multimedia content production and promotion, research, advocacy, policy actions, trainings, or other activities that align with the objectives of the lot. Preference will be given to initiatives that ensure sustainable engagement of CSOs in the above-mentioned areas.

All proposals must be submitted electronically to email address info@zastone.ba with the email subject: „[Name of the Applicant] – SEE Check Network Project Application.“

For more information about the Call, please visit the following link: https://opendatakosovo.org/job-opportunities/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFU09tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfhFQvBTLKySo19dw9qR0nC_brTqBRS4PG_lMhP-IlePbJ3bA9W36FhvHQ_aem_sfAFgzuD7aX-oXbaDibxlw

Deadline for applying: October 15, 2024.

NOTIFICATION: The Call for Proposals for the IPA III Cross-Border Cooperation program between Montenegro and Kosovo has been launched!

The European Union and IPA III Cross-Border Cooperation programme have launched a Call for local governments represented in the program area, local and regional development organizations/agencies, national authorities and institutions involved in tourism, environment, cultural policies, business associations, business support organizations, institutions for self-employment promotion, chambers of commerce and trades, civil society organizations (CSOs), cooperatives/associations of farmers, development organizations/agencies, educational, scientific-research institutions and organizations, and institutions and organizations responsible for providing social services. 

Projects up to 400,000 EUR aimed at increasing cross-border employment of young and vulnerable persons will be supported through the Call, as well as projects worth up to 600,000 EUR aimed at encouraging sustainable tourism in the cross-border region. The duration of projects is limited to 26 months for projects in the area of employment, and 30 months for projects in the area of tourism, while the total budget of this call is EUR 5.4 million.

The programme area in Montenegro includes municipalities of: Andrijevica, Bar, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Gusinje, Kolašin, Mojkovac, Petnjica, Plav, Podgorica, Rožaje, Tuzi, Ulcinj and Zeta.

In Kosovo, the programme area includes: Peja/Peć, Istog/Istok, Klina/Klina, Junik, Deçani/Dečane and Gjakova/Đakovica.

The IPA III CBC program Montenegro – Kosovo is funded by the European Union.

For more information about the Call and how to apply, visit the following link: https://cbc-mne-kos.org/1st-call-for-proposals-under-ipa-iii-published/

Deadline for applying: October 25, 2024.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH:

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

• The OSCE Mission in Kosovo published a vacancy for Chief of Communities Section (S3). Closing date is 17 October 2024. Link for more information about the vacancy: https://vacancies.osce.org/jobs/chief-of-communities-section-s3-3505
• UNMIK in Kosovo published a vacancy for Staff Assistant. Closing date is 23 October 2024. Link for more information about the vacancy: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1727167875699?mc_cid=66f86dbc43&mc_eid=cffbebce28

Citizens’ proactive participation through filing complaints and reporting problems occurring at both municipal and central levels makes the work of the reported institutions and their employees better and, thus, contributes to the improvement of their performance and the better life of all citizens. Protect your rights by using the addresses below:

• Any form of discrimination is prohibited, exercise your right to report discrimination, publicly or anonymously, at the following link: http://www.raportodiskriminimin.org

• If your linguistic rights are being violated by any institution, report it via e-mail at: info-zkgj-kpj@rks-gov.net

• If your rights have been violated by police officers, report the instance to the Police Inspectorate of Kosovo by calling the toll-free number 08000333 or through the complaints section on the official PIK website: //ipk.rks-gov.net/Reporting/Reporting

• If you have a problem and need a professional lawyer’s assistance, you can get free legal aid in your municipality, for more information and consultations call the toll-free number 0800 11 777, visit the website https://anjf.rks-gov.net/page.aspx?id=3,1 or contact the NGO Advancing Together via this email address: info@advancing-together.org and the toll-free number 0800 200 20.

VISIT THE FOLLOWING LINKS OFFERING EMPLOYMENT IN INSTITUTIONS, AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES:

• SUPERPUNA: subsidized jobs for youth aged 18-29, more information and registration at the following link: https://superpuna.rks-gov.net/
•   KOSOVOGENU: three-month internship for youth aged 16-24, more information and registration at the following link:  https://kosovogenu.com/
• Follow job openings in institutions across Kosovo, at the following link: https://aprk.rks-gov.net/Job/Index
• Be a part of positive changes by taking part in public consultations, all information can be found at the following link: https://konsultimet.rks-gov.net/index.php 
•  Follow grant calls for non-governmental organizations at the following link: https://www.kosovofunding.org/
• For more information and employment opportunities for the Serbian-speaking communities, follow job vacancies at the following portal: http://www.posaonakosovu.com/