AnaMaria's participation in a mentoring program, supported by USAID and facilitated by the local organization Germin, turned out to be a transformative journey for her. As a member of Kosovan diaspora, AnaMaria Shkurti seized the opportunity provided by USAID’s Private Sector Workforce-led Development Activity to give back, leveraging her knowledge and connections. “The mentorship program was a double approach where I could bring value to my mentee, but I also learned a lot about the ecosystem in Kosovo and the existing opportunities, which I was not aware of,” reflects AnaMaria on her experience.
Throughout the program, AnaMaria not only discovered new opportunities but also honed her skills in connecting with local tech companies in Kosovo more effectively. The peak of this experience occurred when she attended the KOS-ICT conference, accompanied by two investors Viktoria Savitska and Manuel Barreiro Castaneda. This experience left an indelible mark on AnaMaria, as well as her associates.
For AnaMaria, the conference became a platform to connect with aspiring entrepreneurs, guiding them through the intricacies of fundraising and introducing them to her extensive European network. However, success extends beyond individual achievements. AnaMaria envisioned a broader impact by becoming involved with key European and global stakeholders and the leader of the ICT Workforce Council STIKK (the Kosovo Association of Information and Communication Technology).
AnaMaria brought Viktoriia Savitska to Kosovo from Switzerland, to network with a Kosovan ICT company and Viktoriia was immediately captivated by the energy and passion of the Kosovo tech community. Despite challenges in knowledge sharing, she recognized the incredible talent pool within Kosovo and identified a startup that she is striving to bring to Switzerland as a model. The story of AnaMaria showcases the transformative power of diaspora engagement, mentorship, and international collaboration.
IREX for USAIDKosovo