During the meeting with professionals from the diaspora in Germany on September 21, the program for Civic Engagement (CEA), a five-year initiative implemented by the Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF) in partnership with USAID, was presented.

About 50 professionals from different fields were informed of the opportunities to share their knowledge and skills with civil society organizations in Kosova, through the short-term engagement supported by this program.

Dren Puka, Director of Research and Advocacy from the Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF), presented the program aimed at fostering a culture of activism at the level of citizens in order to create preconditions for solutions around various issues of interest to their communities and in this way, to improve the quality of life in the neighborhoods and cities where they live.

Puka briefly elaborated on the history of community engagement in Kosova, from the 80s and 90s until today. He emphasized that civil society requires expertise and new knowledge, where the diaspora can play an extremely important role.

Meanwhile, Lirim Krasniqi from GERMIN added that the fact that our diaspora lives mainly in countries with well-consolidated democracies is a great advantage and potential.

This enables diaspora professionals to contribute to Kosovo’s civil society, promoting democratic practices, citizen involvement, and community engagement.

This meeting was also greeted by the Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo in Berlin, Mr. Faruk Ajeti, emphasizing the role that our diaspora has played in community engagement both in Kosovo and abroad.

The transfer of knowledge and skills is one of the pillars of the GERMIN program. “Engagement of Diaspora Professionals” (EDP) facilitates diaspora professionals to contribute to home country institutions.

Currently, six professionals are engaged in civil society organizations.

More details about the program and open positions can be found at: https://diasporaprofessionals.germin.org/index

We thank the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Berlin and the Organization of Academics and Students of the Albanian Diaspora in Berlin (OASA) for organizing this meeting.