Social Inclusion

Our different cultures make us unique but together we are one. No matter the religion or culture we YMCA Kosovo work on promoting unity in diversity and living in harmony and peace.

Human Rights, Democracy and Peace building

Since 2003, YMCA Kosovo has been actively involved in promoting democratic and human rights principles in Kosovo by targeting equally all ethnicities living in this area. Our programs are based on interactive and experiential learning about democracy, human rights, democratic leadership, promoting the citizens' rights and duties and establishing the basis for multiethnic/religious dialogue. Some of the projects were: Interethnic Pre-school, Peace and Reconciliation, Youth for Democracy and Human Rights, Sports for Peace etc.

Social Development of Roma communities

YMCA has used arts as a tool to facilitate moral education and social development in Roma communities which is a foundation for professional education and literacy. Our staff was teaching the youth social values starting from respect, responsibility and honesty, self hygiene to gender equality, and leadership. The evaluations and project results have shown a great potential among the youth if using right methodology to approach them such as arts. Beside arts using as a tool, this program includes leadership trainings and service projects where the theory can be put into practice such as through environmental clean ups or helping the elder care in their communities.

Women Empowerment

Discrimination against women is one of the main obstructions to human social and economic development. YMCA Kosovo believes that Not until the world of women becomes equal to the world of men in the acquisition of virtues and perfections, can success and prosperity be attained as they ought to be. Improvement in the status of women requires a change in the attitudes of men. This attitudinal change should be one goal of education. Therefore YMCA Kosovo works with boys and girls with the principle of the equality of the sexes so that children and youth learn from an early age to develop qualities of cooperation. YMCA Kosovo promotes attitudes of equality and present positive role models for both men and women through media, folk theater, puppets and other creative strategies that can engage the community to examine and change attitudes that do not promote the health and well-being of society.

Kosovo Special Olympics

YMCA Kosovo established the first Kosovo Special Olympics with the missions is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Special Olympics Kosovo is a member of World Special Olympics and recognized by the International Olympic Committee whose purpose is to change lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities through sports (www.specialolympics.org). The Kosovo national team has participated in Special Olympic Games in China 2008 and brought medals home.