Kosovo and North Macedonia are both candidates for accession to the European Union. Sustainable reform processes in both countries are necessary for a realistic perspective. However, the necessary expertise for such reforms is often lacking, as there is high youth unemployment and hardly any prospects for young graduates in future-oriented departments. At the same time, there is a high requirement for a well-educated workforce in both countries, but with the corresponding international and practical professional experience. Given these initial conditions, it must be ensured that a project does not lead to a brain drain of well-educated people towards the member states of the European Union.
The centrepiece of the project consists of vocational training for 30 selected participants from North Macedonia and Kosovo. They initially receive a two-month language course, a two-week seminar programme and a three- to six-month specialist internship. As part of this programme, they will work in private and municipal companies in NRW and beyond on forward-looking topics that are particularly relevant to the upcoming reform processes in the region. In addition, a network meeting is organised with interested companies in North Macedonia and Kosovo to bring the companies into contact with each other and to arrange possible jobs for the participants and alumni from the previous project. An integral part of all measures is the promotion of regional networking between North Macedonia and Kosovo in order to contribute to the stabilisation of the region.