Project background: UNICEF now concentrate more on policy level work but still have substantial contact with organisations working in the field. Their working language is English and UNICEF is happy to take interns in their office for a month (dependant on qualifications and experience).

Accommodation: There are plenty of hostels that people can stay in for approx €10 per night, such as Guest House Velania (based on 3 people sharing). Velania is the affluent housing district of Pristina and is very safe with plenty of international police and embassies in very close proximity.

Skill base of the volunteer required: Individuals should be interested in UNICEF’s work and preferably doing an appropriate degree. UNICEF wants a CV and a letter of motivation.

Activities in the project:

1. Working with youth NGOs

• This project works with youth councils all over Kosovo, empowering young people in order to reduce the prevalence of violence and bullying in schools. It looks at the procedures schools have to employ in order to tackle bullying; this could include comparing other countries’ schools policies.
• Works closely with local government to deal with these issues.

2. Focus on Roma population

• Drop-out rate of Roma population in education is very high in Kosovo, even in primary schools.
• The project attempts to deal with discrimination and violence throughout the Roma population, particularly war-related violence.
• The project helps establish and maintain parent-teacher councils, and has meetings with Roma leaders.

3. Children with disabilities

• UNICEF is running a pilot project to work directly with schools through an NGO.
• The project develops and creates frameworks with high-level consultants for the schools and NGOs to adhere to.
• The intern would also help and shadow a youth officer tackling many of the issues mentioned above.

4. Health sector focusing on policy level

• This project is mother and child-focused in order to improve parenting skills (especially in rural areas).

Future Development: This project has the potential to expand and continue for several years. However, because this project is so multifaceted and can only accommodate a couple of students it is hard to say how this project will develop.

Possible security and safety concerns: Will involve vulnerable groups but working with an international aid organisation should be safe and secure even if projects involve travel to northern areas.

Notes: More detail would be required and gathered before final implementation, although advertising the internship could take place on the basis of the above information.

Last updated: April 26th, 2009