YOUth can change the future for Kosovo

PLAY International Kosovo and young volunteers engaged in the project “YOUth can Change the future for Kosovo” ended up the year 2021 with the same positive energy and willingness to transform Kosovar society into a more tolerant and inclusive one.

The month of November was marked by the second training for youth involved in the project. Indeed, on 5, 6, and 7 November, 14 volunteers from Fushe Kosova, Obiliq, and Graqanica gathered in Fushe Kosove for a three-day training under the kind gaze of our trainers: Senad Ramani and Sumeja Osmani. After the first gathering in December 2020, the first training in April 2021, the Summer Camp in August 2021, this was the second training in which the youth could participate. All these trainings have the same objective: bring young volunteers together, train them on the methods using of sport for social inclusion, and at the same time, allow them to get to know each other and to overcome stereotypes. 

All along these three days, the youth had the opportunity to be trained on 5 socio-sport sessions, to learn about inclusion and cooperation and to gain basic skills in sports leadership. Our trainers introduced them to the “life-skils” concept and to our socio-sport method to enhance their skills and knowledge on the approach of using sport for education and social inclusion.

The activities carried out throughout the seminar included collaborative sports games and workshops on the concepts of trust, diversity, inclusiveness, and socio-sport. Different modules were led to enable youth to both integrate these theoretical concepts and to learn how to well apply them through sports activities. Indeed, the youth could also enjoy a sports field to train themselves in implementing sports games and could have direct feedback from the trainers on how to improve their implementation.

One of the most important things during these trainings is that youth can express themselves regardless of their gender or ethnicity. Our trainers used several methods to provide youth a safe place to express their opinions and let them listen to others in order to let evolve their mentality.

Both, the trainers and the participants, noticed the benefits of gathering every three to four months. It allows the youth to maintain their relations, and especially to share their experience and best practices after several months of implementation of activities with children from their communities. These discussions and sharing only support the sustainability of our project.

In addition to the training held in early November, PLAY International Kosovo, in cooperation with a partner organization, The Ideas Partnership, organized the International Volunteers Day on 4 December. The young volunteers of “YOUth can change the future of Kosovo” could thus participate in workshops and hold speeches to raise awareness on the important role that volunteers play in responding to challenges the world is facing today and will face tomorrow. This event was also an opportunity for youngsters to reflect on the benefits of their volunteering experience.

Our volunteers are now ready to implement a wide range of inclusive sports activities with children and all our team is very proud of them! Our trainers continue supporting the volunteers by visiting them during the activities they conduct, and by advising them. Until we let you know how the implementation of these activities are doing, the teamplay International Kosovo team wishes you, a Happy 2022! We count on your generosity and will continue bringing you the news from our inspiring young Kosovar women and men!