KOSOVO PUBLIC POLICY CENTER
Research. Analysis. Alternatives.

20 December 2010
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Youth and Volunteerism in Kosovo: An Opportunity to Learn
A study of the UNDP / UNV in Kosovo conducted by KPPC

After the completion of the Support to Implementation of the Kosovo Youth Action Plan (SIKYAP) project, sponsored by UNDP and UNV in Kosovo, a Kosovo-wide survey was launched to gain insights into volunteerism and youth activities across Kosovo. The target population was Kosovo youths between the ages of 14 and 25. KPPC was selected, through a competitive bidding process, to both undertake the survey and write up a report based on the survey findings. Once the questionnaire was finalized in close cooperation with UNDP/UNV Kosovo, KPPC interviewed a total of 1200 targeted respondents from all Kosovo ethnicities across Kosovo.

The findings of the survey have been published in the "Volunteerism in Kosovo: An Opportunity to Learn" report. The full report in PDF is available for download in English, Albanian, and Serbian. The following, however, is the Executive Summary of the Report.  

Executive Summary

The survey of youth volunteerism in Kosovo reveals that almost 80% of young Kosovans are not involved in either youth organisations or youth projects/initiatives. The data suggests that just 16% of K-Albanians, 17% of K-Serbs and 14% of other minority respondents have had volunteering experience. Approximately 8% of female and 7% of male respondents said that they received some form of compensation for their volunteer work.

On average, the survey data shows that transitioning from volunteer work to a regular job is rarely the case. However, about half of all respondents (49%) identified gaining experience and skills as the primary benefit from volunteering, followed by contributing to community development (18%). The key reasons cited for low levels of youth participation in volunteer activities is the overall lack of offers or opportunities to volunteer (35%), followed by being in school (21%). Just over a quarter of young Kosovans (26%) are aware of the Kosovo Youth Action Plan (KYAP), whereas, 64% of those surveyed stated they are not aware of the program. Similarly, some 26% of young Kosovans are also aware of the Law on Youth Participation and Empowerment, while 65% are not aware of the law. On average, about 12% of K-Albanians along with some 7% of K-Serbs and 4% of other minority respondents were either consulted personally or knew someone of their age that was consulted during the drafting process of the law.

The survey results show that about 38% of young Kosovans are satisfied or very satisfied with the work of the Department of Youth, while some 23% are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. About 19% of respondents are satisfied or very satisfied with the work of international organisations that deal with youth issues, while some 11% are very dissatisfied or dissatisfied. As to satisfaction with youth NGOs, the survey data shows that on average about 20.5% of young Kosovans are satisfied or very satisfied with youth NGOs, while some 28.5% are very dissatisfied or dissatisfied.

After providing those surveyed with an overview of the United Nations Volunteer (UNV) program, a majority (56%) expressed interest in participating in the program, while some 29% expressed no interest.

a. Past volunteer experience (accessibility to the information on volunteer work, type of volunteer work, employer, level of remuneration, level of satisfaction, reason for leaving);

b. Incentives/disincentives to work as a volunteer (why they work/do not work as volunteers, what are their expectation and the preventive factors);

d. Knowledge and perception (level of satisfaction) on Kosovo Youth Action Plan (accessibility of the information, level of understanding of the contents);

e. Perception of the work done by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Department of Youth (level of satisfaction, areas of improvement);

f. Perception of the work done by the Municipal Youth Office (level of satisfaction, areas of improvement);

g. Perception of the work done by youth NGOs (level of satisfaction, areas of improvement);

h. Perception of the work done by the international organisations on youth (level of satisfaction, areas of improvement);

I. Knowledge of the UNV scheme (accessibility to the information, level of understanding of the scheme) and interest in the scheme.

The survey itself was conducted during the last week of September and the first half of October 2009. A total of 1200 respondents aged 14 to 25 and of all ethnic backgrounds were interviewed across Kosovo. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with each respondent. Of the 1200 respondents, 850 were 'KAlbanians', 200 were 'K-Serbs', and 150 were from other minority groups, such as Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptians. The gender breakdown of the sample was 57% males, 43% females. With respect to educational achievement, half of the respondents (52%) were either secondary school graduates or still attending school.

For more information, please contact:
conference@kppcenter.org 
 

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