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Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe organization awarded 26 grants to businesses in Mitrovica

Today, in Mitrovica, Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe organization awarded 26 grants to beneficiaries of the project “Supporting Socio-Economic Stability in the Western Balkans Region”.

Within the framework of this project supported by the Help organization, in the municipality of Mitrovica, contracts for 26 beneficiaries have been signed, in an average value of 2,000 euros.

The grants ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor Faruk Mujka, Director of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ekrem Sadiku, Nehat Bahtiri chief of the cabinet of Mayor’s office and Help’s Program Coordinator, Shqipe Breznica.

In his speech, Deputy Mayor Mujka thanked the help organization, who in the course of their projects have selected the municipality of Mitrovica this year, supporting the initial businesses and participating in the alleviation of unemployment and economic growth.

While Shqipe Breznica, Program Coordinator of Help, in her speech stated that the purpose of Help is to support the implementation of existing local development strategies and support the process of sustainable development in the country. She further informed the attendees about the great interest of the citizens of Mitrovica to attend the training organized by Help as a part of the contract.

“More than 270 citizens have expressed interest in becoming part of this project, so 20 out of the beneficiaries that were foreseen to be selected in the city of Mitrovica, have increased the number and have benefited 26 businesses”, said Shqipe Breznica.

The grant beneficiaries also thanked for the care and support shown by the municipality and the Help organization, who are jointly interested to support the start of new businesses and the country’s economic development.

On 16th of April Help Kosovo and Swimming Club Termopan signed a partnership contract within the project “The 1st International Open Swimming Championship Kosovo 2018″ – Down Syndrome“.

The purpose of this Partnership Contract is the implementation of the project “The 1^st International Open Swimming Championship “Kosovo 2018 – Down Syndrome“,  implemented by  Swimming Club Termopan under the umbrella of Kosovo Swimming Federation, held for the first time in Balkans.

Help is one of many supporters in making it possible with symbolic fund the organization of the 1st International Open Swimming Championship “Kosovo 2018” – Down Syndrome which will be organized from May 18-22, 2018.  The race is an initiative of the Termopan Swimming Club at Zenit Swimming Pool and will be supported by the Kosovo Swimming Federation and will take place under the International Swimming Federation (ISF) rules.

All contestants are with Down Syndrome who are members of the Down Syndrome International Swimming Organization (DSISO), which the event is also organized in cooperation with this organization, accredited by the Paralympic Committee. In this competition there will be different disciplines and the first, second and third prize will be given a reward and the same will win points at International Swimming Federation (ISF) and these points will help contestants with Down Syndrome to participate in the European and World Championships as this is a criterion.

Confirmed are 77 participants from 9 countries, such as: United States of America, United Kingdom, Turkey, Ireland, Estonia, Albania, Romania, Macedonia and Denmark.

On April 11th 2018 Help Kosovo organized the event “The Power Of Small Grants” where more than 120 people attended from Foreign Embassies in Kosovo, Central and Local Kosovo Institutions, representatives of partner Municipalities, NGOs, clients that Help supported, Medias.

Help Kosovo Program Coordinator Shqipe Breznica opened the event with a presentation of Help activities and facts and figures, and also thanked the supporters of Help Organization through these years.

In this event present was also the Deputy Managing Director Timo Stegelmann and Programme Manager Masa Bubanj who supported Help Kosovo representatives in organizing activities.

Deputy Managing Director Timo Stegelmann​ presented the achievements of Help Organization in different missions in the World with special focus in the Western Balkans.

Help Kosovo also thanks the Deputy Head of Mission from German Embassy in Prishtina, Mr. Jan Axel-Voss for his presence and for his speech in the audience.

Also special thanks goes to Deputy Minister of Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare of Kosovo Mr. Çerkin Dukolli and Help client Arta Shehu-Zaimi for her remarkable speech.

In this event Help clients had the opportunity to expo their products for the guests who were interested and satisfied for their products.

Help Kosovo also launched a video documentary titles “The Power Of Small Grants” which represents the work of Help Kosovo from 2015 and also offers more information about the project.

Help would like to thank all the guests that honored us with their presence, we hope to see you again in future projects.

Help Kosovo encourages companies and business owners in (Prishtina, Prizren & Mitrovica) to support Down Syndrome Kosova.

There are 30 people with Down syndrome who have completed the training opportunities in Vocational Training Centers in Prishtina, Prizren and Mitrovica. All the trainings were completed by the end of March and then they will start their one month long, paid internship period in different companies or institutions. DSK is requesting for support for intern positions in different companies in Prishtina, Prizren and Mitrovica.

We are looking forward to achieve this in three Municipalities mentioned above, so that people with down syndrome can start their intern by April. Until now, we found 6 positions in 4 companies in Prishtina (Adem Jashari Airport, SuperViva, Rezonanca, GIZ) and we need to find 10 other intern positions for 10 people with Down syndrome.

DSK project team know very well all of their skills, and personal information of them.

Professions that people with down syndrome got trained are;

• Assistant in Administration
• Pastry
• Bakery

We kindly ask business owners to provide a symbolic salary (100 or 150 euros) so that they can cover their transport and food expenses during that period.