News
Request for expressions of interest (Consulting Services) – MARDI Project
Date: 13/06/2022
0 Views

GERMIN calls all interested entities or individuals to submit their proposals for the consultancy that aim to provide training and workshops with Kosovar municipal officials which would prepare them to generate diaspora investments through attractive competitive investment projects.

In March 2022, GERMIN signed a cooperation agreement with Caritas Switzerland in Kosovo within the MARDI project (Municipal Action for Reintegration and Diaspora). Starting from March, GERMIN is implementing the “Using the Knowledge and Financial Capital of the Diaspora to Impact on the Economic Development of Kosovo Municipalities” component within the MARDI Project. The MARDI project will be implemented over three years throughout Kosovo. The project also includes two other components: Capacity Building for Municipalities and Supporting the Needs of Migrants and their Integration in the country. The project’s overall objective is to use the Diaspora’s know-how and financial capital to instigate and drive economic change and development in Kosovar municipalities. By the end of the project, the expected results include promoting Kosovar businesses abroad with a specific focus on the diaspora community, generating Diaspora investments through attractive competitive investment projects, and facilitating the dialogue between the Diaspora community and Kosovo institutions.

Nature of the Consultancy: GERMIN intends to conduct training and workshops with municipal officials which would prepare them to generate diaspora investments through attractive competitive investment projects. Training will concentrate on soft skills & project development skills for municipal officials, while workshops will be conducted to support municipal officials in developing concrete project proposals for investment projects. The main topics of the training and workshops and possible project examples must be explicitly connected to local governance and the mandate of municipalities in Kosovo. GERMIN seeks to contract a service provider or individual to design the training content lasting two days and workshop content for a three-day workshop to achieve this objective. Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, the successful service provider will have to implement the below-mentioned tasks and deliverables.

Tasks to be performed under this service contract: 

  • In coordination with GERMIN, the contractor is expected to design a 2-days agenda for the training and a detailed 3-days agenda for the workshops for at least 20 municipal officials from 10 municipalities participating in the project.
  • In coordination with GERMIN, the contractor is expected to design the whole concept and curriculum for the training and workshops. 
  • In coordination with GERMIN, the contractor is expected to design adapted group works for the workshop and adapted project examples for the training, that fit the current situation within the partner municipalities regarding their sector and project priorities. 
  • The contractor is expected to propose an adequate methodology to engage workshop participants and implement the training.
  • Once the workshop and training concepts and the detailed agendas have been developed, the contractor is expected to present them to GERMIN. GERMIN shall give a formal go-ahead.

Application and required documents:

All applications must be submitted to GERMIN electronically at [email protected] with the subject: ToR_Design and Implementation of Workshops and Training for Municipal Staff of the individual/company. The latest date for submitting the applications is June 30, 2022! 

The following documents should be submitted for the application to be eligible and further considered: 

  • Letter of Interest (maximum of two pages showing the relevance of their previous experience with this call);
  • Financial offer in accordance with the total working days requested (section 4 of this ToR) and tasks);
  • Proof of eligibility to work in Kosovo (business registration certificate for companies, Fiscal number for individuals);
  • At least two references from previous employers/contracting companies; 
  • Professional portfolio;
  • Confirmation of having no obligation from the Kosovo Tax Administration;

Duration:
The service delivery will occur from the last week of June 27 – July 15, 2022, with the possibility of an extension.

For more information, please read the full ToR document HERE.

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].

latest
Related News
Explore the latest developments, initiatives, and discussions shaping advocacy and diplomacy within the diaspora community.
News
The second edition of the OriginAL program is officially launched
On August 4th, the second edition of the OriginAL program was officially launched. Participants had the opportunity to see the program's insights, its inaugural edition, and its ambitious goals. This event opened with a surprise performance by Arbër Selmani, journalist and poet from Pristina. He moved the audience with a rendition of his poem called "Kur vdiq baba." The co-director of GERMIN, Lirim Krasniqi, spoke about the importance and impact that this program has had and expressed that he is proud to be part of an initiative of historical importance and thanked all the supporters of this project. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, said that she is very proud of last year's result and of the group of the second edition of the OriginAL program. Acting President at RIT Kosovo (A.U.K), Michael Hess, talked about the important connection that the American University in Kosovo has with the diaspora. We also had supporters of the OriginAL program among us. Investor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist from the Diaspora in Bulgaria, Elvin Guri. He talked about how this program helps the youth of the diaspora to understand not only their roots but also their parents and their sacrifices. One of the main pillars of this program is the founder and Chairman of the Board of the Global Albanian Foundation (GAF), Mark Kosmo. Unable to come from Boston, USA, through a video message, he once again expressed his support and told the participants that he really looks forward to starting this journey. From Paris, we also had GERMIN's co-chair of the board, Anila Smørgrav, who greeted and thanked the participants, supporters, and partners of OriginAL. At the event, seven esteemed alumni of the OriginAL program graced the gathering. Among them, Diellza and Elsa Vejseli, who once participated and now volunteered for the second edition, took the stage to recount their enriching experiences, the enduring friendships forged, and offered valuable insights into the program's overarching objectives and impact.
Date: 24/12/2024
0 Views
News
Discussion Roundtable – Advocacy and Public Diplomacy of the Diaspora
GERMIN organized a discussion roundtable on “Advocacy and Public Diplomacy of the Diaspora.” Panelists shared how their efforts have elevated Kosovo's international profile, improved diplomatic relations, and contributed to the development of social and economic initiatives. The discussion explored contributions to digital diplomacy, grassroots advocacy, and cultural promotion, highlighting the vital role of diaspora professionals in creating connections and strengthening global ties.  Behar Xharra, Co-Founder of GERMIN, began his opening remarks by sharing the inspiration behind GERMIN's creation. He described it as a seedling that initially leveraged the internet as a platform for digital diplomacy.  Blerinë Ukshini, Project Manager at GERMIN, presented the achievements and outcomes of the “Diaspora for Policy Development” project, supported by the regional Smart Balkans project. She emphasized that all activities aimed primarily to influence the improvement of policymaking processes in Kosovo by optimizing the contributions of the diaspora.  Elvira Dushku, Secretary General of the Basketball Federation of Kosovo, shared her experiences within the Federation, focusing on international competitions, the development of sports diplomacy, and gender balance within the Federation.  Vartan Marashlyan, Executive Director of Repat Armenia, shared examples from the Armenian diaspora, addressing the various challenges faced by countries like Armenia and Kosovo. He highlighted the importance of having ambitious goals with practical objectives.  Ariana Krasniqi, from the Civil Diplomacy Program in Denmark, a young woman born in Germany and raised in Denmark, shared her experience and her goal to return to her country of origin and contribute to civil diplomacy.  Bahri Cani, Moderator from Deutsche Welle, Germany, shared his perspective on categorizing the diaspora into three aspects: the first wave, which migrated for economic reasons; the second wave, which migrated for political reasons; and the third wave, which migrated for educational purposes.  Avni Mustafaj, Co-Chair of GERMIN’s Board, USA, underlined the importance of civil diplomacy, starting at the individual level and extending to larger communities to achieve common goals. He shared various advocacy examples, including efforts to meet leaders and convey clear messages about objectives. He emphasized the skill of capturing attention and making others listen to our demands. The roundtable highlighted the significance of organized advocacy efforts, digital engagement, and cultural initiatives in strengthening Kosovo’s relationships and global impact. This roundtable was conducted with the support of the regional project “SMART Balkans – Civil Society for Shared Values in the Western Balkans,” implemented by the Center for Promotion of Civil Society (CPCD) in cooperation with the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) and the Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM), and financially supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA). The discussions during this roundtable are the sole responsibility of GERMIN as the project implementer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA).
Date: 24/12/2024
0 Views
News
25% ROI in 100 Days: Diaspora Mentorship Boosts Albanian Women Entrepreneurs
About the projectIn early 2024, supported by the U.S. Embassy in Tirana’s Small Grants Program, Germin launched “Diaspora Supporting Albanian Women Entrepreneurs.” This initiative strategically connected experienced mentors from the Albanian diaspora with women entrepreneurs in Albania, aiming to address critical challenges that women-led startups face, such as limited digitalisation, investments, and global expansion. Among the impactful pairings was London-based AI & Strategy expert Arta Statovci with Eldisa Cirogu, co-founder of Albanian startup Commercey/ Bot Medics Care - ​​this case study reveals how their collaboration led to transformative results.Goal: Transitioning from Local →  Global, Traditional →  Tech-firstEldisa Cirogu, founder of Commercey / Bot Medics Care, had a clear goal: to scale her healthcare business and compete on the global stage. However, she faced a dual challenge. Externally, the global healthcare sector was rapidly advancing with AI-powered health tech, becoming more competitive and presenting high barriers to entry. Internally, despite her determination to embrace a tech-first approach, she struggled to compete with global giants in the healthcare space due to her startup’s limited advanced AI expertise, skills, and resources.Action → Scaling with AI: Blended strategic & tech approach To address these challenges, her mentor designed the mentorship around three core principles: AI-powered design thinking & product-market fit: Use AI to uncover the root cause (not symptoms!) and refine the portfolio to focus on delivering products that meet both local and global market needs. Investor & revenue-driven AI roadmap: Set ambitious targets for AI to deliver measurable results within 100 days - outcomes no investor or client could ignore. No-code AI upskilling and solutions: First, validate demand and deliver results with no-code AI tools that don’t require deep AI expertise, then partner with AI companies for the next level. 100-Day AI Results: →Boosting ROI, growth, and operations By following these principles and a clear strategic direction, Commercey /Bot Medics Care achieved significant progress, transforming from a traditional healthcare startup into an AI-driven health tech model. Within the first 100 days, the company reported a 25% increase in ROI, a 20% growth in its client base, and a 30% reduction in operational costs. This transformation not only boosted efficiency but also demonstrated how AI can enhance customer service through personalized, data-driven solutions. As a result, Commercey Botmedics Care emerged as a competitive, innovative player in the global health tech industry, highlighting the profound impact AI can have on empowering women entrepreneurs.  Firsthand, mentee’s advice for women entrepreneurs, particularly from traditional backgrounds:→ “Don’t be afraid of AI. The right mentors will guide you in using AI to overcome challenges, grow your business, increase revenue, and enhance your brand—no matter your tech expertise or industry background - Eldisa Cirogu”. Next steps: → Creating a domino effect for Women Entrepreneurs with AI The Diaspora Supporting Albanian Women Entrepreneurs project has demonstrated that women-led startups, both in Albania and globally, can overcome systemic challenges and position themselves on a global scale by strategically leveraging mentorship and deploying AI—even without deep tech expertise. The strength of the AI mentorship model lies in its ability to offer personalization and scalability. It’s not limited to helping just one startup at a time; instead, it’s scalable, and with a community-driven approach, women can create, collaborate, and deliver with confidence. Reflecting on the experience, both the mentor and mentee, alongside Germin, expressed excitement to continue expanding this momentum and pursue purpose-driven collaborations. With support from program sponsors and investors, they aim to open new opportunities for other women entrepreneurs. For more information, feel free to directly connect with Germin, the AI & Strategy mentor Arta Statovci, or mentee and co-founder Eldisa Cirogu.
Date: 12/11/2024
0 Views
News
Come to Support Diaspora Youth in New York, October 17
On October 17, a special evening will be organized in New York City to support OriginAL, a program dedicated to reconnecting Albanian Diaspora youth with their cultural roots. Through immersive cultural, educational, and volunteering experiences across Albania, Kosova, and soon North Macedonia, OriginAL offers young Albanians the chance to rediscover their heritage and form connections with their peers around the world. This event will be co-hosted by Richard Lukaj, Mark Kosmo, Fadil Berisha, and Avni Mustafaj, who have long been champions of the program’s mission. We are happy to welcome Dr. Vjosa Osmani, President of the Republic of Kosovo as a special guest. Additionally, alumni of the OriginAL program, will share their personal stories about how this experience has impacted their lives and strengthened their ties to Albanian history and culture. In the last three years, over 140 young Albanians from 25 countries have participated in OriginAL, gaining a deeper understanding of their identity through this transformative journey. If you believe in giving Albanian youth the chance to connect with their roots and experience their family’s homeland, you can make a difference by donating HERE. Your support will help them create lasting memories and deepen their connection to their heritage.
Date: 04/10/2024
0 Views