Programs
Youth & Education
About the Program
Engaging youth from both the diaspora and Kosovo in educational programs is crucial to addressing the mismatch between youth qualification and the demands of jobs in Kosovo. Many students graduate without acquiring the necessary skills to thrive in today’s job market. To bridge this gap, a public-private partnership is needed, and Germin is well-suited to lead these efforts. By leveraging contemporary information technologies and virtual collaboration platforms, Germin helps equip youth with the skills required to succeed.

OriginAL is a program that provides an educational and cultural tour for the Albanian Diaspora Young Adults to their countries of origin. It includes volunteer experience, and aims to motivate the participants to discover and connect with their roots. OriginAL is an independent program, launched in 2022 by GERMIN and the Global Albanians Foundation, with very ambitious goals to change the way the diaspora young generations perceive their countries of origin.

Germin’s educational initiative includes the OriginAL program, which offers a volunteer, educational, and cultural experience for Albanian diaspora youth in their homelands.
Another initiative is the “Advancing partnership with diaspora for children and young people in Kosovo” UNICEF project, which provided paid internships for 50 young people at 21 diaspora companies. Germin also collaborated with the German Development Agency (GIZ) to engage Albanian diaspora professionals in short-term engagements in their home countries through the Engaging Diaspora Professionals platform.

Through these efforts Germin fosters connection between diaspora youth and their countries of origin, ensuring that thr skills and experience gained abroad are invested into their homeland, contributing to a stronger, more qualified workforce for the future.

Within the Program
Projects
Empowering the next generation through educational initiatives, mentoring, and skill development programs that foster youth development and promote long-term social progress.
This initiative aims to connect the second- and third-generation Albanian diaspora youth (ages 18-24) with their cultural heritage and strengthen long-term ties with Albania and Kosovo.

Objectives:
Provide an educational and cultural experience for Albanian youth.
Strengthen the connections between diaspora youth and their countries of origin.
Expand the program, targeting hundreds and eventually thousands of participants in the coming years.

Key Activities:
Organize a two-week trip for diaspora youth to Albania and Kosovo.
Cultural activities, educational exchanges, and volunteer projects.
This project aims to engage diaspora professionals and businesses in mentoring and providing practical opportunities for youth in Kosovo.

Objectives:
Provide paid internship opportunities for 50 youth (ages 16-24) in Kosovo.
Promote diaspora engagement in the youth agenda in Kosovo.
Support the professional development of youth in Kosovo through mentoring and skills transfer.

Key Activities:
Establish paid internship opportunities in 21 diaspora companies.
Mentoring programs, training sessions, and direct collaboration between diaspora professionals and local youth.

Funded by: UNICEF Kosovo Program.
This project aims to connect qualified diaspora professionals with institutions in Kosovo and Albania to contribute to local development.

Objectives:
Align the skills of diaspora professionals with the needs of institutions in Kosovo and Albania for short-term engagements.
Increase awareness of collaboration opportunities with the diaspora.

Key Activities:
Workshops and meetings with Albanian students and diaspora professionals in Germany.
Collaborative workshops with NGOs from Albania and Kosovo to discuss diaspora engagement.

Funded by: German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).
This project aims to connect young diaspora professionals with their peers in Kosovo to create solutions for local economic growth.

Objectives:
Link the youth of the diaspora with their heritage and local communities.
Promote professional exchange, knowledge transfer, and technology sharing between Kosovo and diaspora professionals.
Foster local economic growth through collaborative initiatives.

Key Activities:
A 5-day hackathon that brought together 50 young professionals (26 from Kosovo, 22 from the diaspora) to collaborate on local economic projects.
Selection of six winning initiatives that received small grants for implementation.
Supportive training for the implementation of projects.

Funded by: GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation).
This project aims to engage highly experienced diaspora professionals to provide knowledge and skills to high school students in Kosovo, supporting career development and leadership.

Objectives:

Empower the next generation of leaders in Kosovo through discussions and interactive workshops.
Offer career guidance and soft skills development to high school students.
Strengthen the education sector through the knowledge and expertise of diaspora professionals.
Key Activities:

Lectures and workshops in high schools in Kosovo on topics such as career guidance, leadership, and personal development.
Virtual lectures on topics such as "Achieving Success in Life," "Education and Soft Skills," and "How to Become a Graphic Designer in a Connected World."
This project aims to build a global network of Albanian youth (ages 14-22) that fosters positive change and contributes to the development of their home countries and the countries they live in.

Objectives:
Connect Albanian youth worldwide to create a supportive community for cultural, personal, and professional development.
Influence youth policies and advocacy in Albania, Kosovo, and the diaspora.
Facilitate the exchange of ideas, skills, and knowledge to support local and international initiatives.

Key Activities:
Organizing international and local events for networking, discussions, and collaborations.
Supporting Albanian youth organizations and initiatives through capacity-building programs.
Advocating for youth issues in home countries and international institutions.
Latest
Related News
Stay informed about the latest developments, initiatives, and stories that impact the empowerment of youth, education, and the future of younger generations in the diaspora and beyond.
Youth & Education
OriginAL Opens Applications for 2025 Cohorts
OriginAL proudly announces the opening of applications for the 2025 cohorts. This exceptional educational and cultural program invites young Albanians aged 18 to 24 to embark on an enriching journey of discovery, connection, and personal growth.   Participants in OriginAL will engage in immersive experiences, exploring the cultural heritage, history, language, and traditions of Kosovo and Albania. The program aims to strengthen participants' sense of identity and deepen their understanding of their ancestral roots.   For the first time this year, OriginAL offers flexibility by allowing applicants to choose their preferred participation period. This innovation ensures that more young individuals can participate in this life-changing opportunity at a time that best suits their schedules.   Eligibility Criteria: Must be of Albanian heritage. Aged between 18 and 24 years. Interest in cultural and historical exploration.   How to Apply: To apply or to find out more about eligibility criteria and program details, please click the link below. APPLY HERE
Date: 25/02/2025
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