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Project Information:

The project was financed by European Union and the Council of Europe and it was implemented by the Council of Europe. The project started in January 2020 and was concluded in December 2023.

Objective:

• to foster quality education in Kosovo* and to improve access to education for children from disadvantaged groups including Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian children and children with special education needs. The project supported the implementation of existing Beneficiary’s legislation and Council of Europe policy and standards relating to education and anti-discrimination measures.

Expected Results/Outcomes:

• the capacity of the Kosovo education system to improve the participation of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian children in pre-primary, primary and secondary education has been strengthened.
• the capacity of the Kosovo education system to improve the participation of and support services for children with special education needs in pre-primary, primary and secondary education has been reinforced.

Achieved Results:

• A mapping study to gather relevant reports, interventions and assess results of previously implemented projects regarding the situation of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian children and review teachers’ attitudes and practices on inclusive education.
• Support to selected municipalities: capacity-building activities to reduce the existing enrolment barriers
• School projects: 50 schools implemented and developed the model of democratic and inclusive schools with the aim of creating an inclusive learning environment for all children.
• Support operation of Learning Centres: the Learning Centres benefited from tailored support including upgrading their teaching programmes, harmonizing activities, and developing a harmonized data gathering system.
• Capacity-building for teachers in Resources Centres and teachers in mainstream schools: trainings to strengthen teachers’ capacity to provide quality support services to children with special education needs. In addition, a specific training programme was developed for assistants for children with special education needs.

 Awareness raising activities:

• a TV spot was produced targeting teachers and parents of children with special education needs and Roma Ashkali and Egyptian communities.
• The Official Day of Diversity and Inclusion (26 April) was promoted to raise awareness on the benefits of inclusive education approaches.
• High Level Conference on inclusive education: a one-day conference on the current state of affairs of inclusive education in Kosovo was organised. The conference, gathering around 100 participants, provided a platform for discussions that fed the project’s outcomes. Good international practices were shared.
• Kick off event: an event was organised at the beginning of the project bringing together key stakeholders. Participants included representatives from the Beneficiary’s Ministries, international organisations and donors, civil society organisations, Learning Centres, regional resource centres, municipal authorities, school directors, teachers, students and parents.

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.