Strahinja Andrić, from the village Prilužje/Prilluzhë in the Vushtrri/Vučitrn municipality, is among eighty young people throughout Kosovo transforming their communities by learning to advocate for their priorities. A recent meeting he organized between his peers and community representatives revealed that many citizens share his concerns but have not voiced them.
“I simply wanted to understand priorities and needs, determine what our village lacks, and decide what to ask from the municipality.” He and other community members his age attended a budget meeting in their municipality. Strahinja proposed new infrastructure funding to municipal representatives for their 2022 budget. “We were pleasantly surprised to learn that the Municipal Budget Council approved more than we asked for the asphalting of 3.5 km! This will make our lives easier,” Strahinja concluded.
80 young people from USAID Up to Youth’s nine partner municipalities are learning about governance and democracy at the local level by engaging government officials in public hearings and proposing potential revenue streams and expenditures for the coming fiscal year by raising community concerns.
“What we do does make a difference!” Strahinja says.
Helping young people engage in policy-making improves their leadership skills, builds their confidence, demonstrates that citizens have a role to play in democratic governance, and transforms the way adults perceive young people’s contributions.
Global Communities for USAIDKosovo