The European Union in Kosovo continued its support to Kosovo’s people from investing in education and empowering young people to supporting better working conditions and media freedom and strengthening the country’s democratic institutions and rule of law.

Education and youth empowerment remained at the heart of the European Union’s support for Kosovo. Through scholarships, mobility programmes and cooperation with academic institutions, the EU continued to create opportunities for young people in Kosovo to gain knowledge, skills and international experience that contribute to the country’s future development.

Europe House Kosovo partnered with the University of Pristina for the 26th edition of the Prishtina International Summer University, bringing together students, academics and partners from Kosovo, the region and beyond.

Speaking at the opening of the Summer University, Acting Head of the EU in Kosovo Boguslaw Gertruda reaffirmed that investing in young people, education and human capital development is essential for Kosovo’s future.

Beyond academic exchange, the EU also supported conversations on inclusion, equal access to education and is helping young people in Kosovo gain the knowledge, experience and networks needed to contribute to the country’s European future.

The EU engagement on strengthening labour rights, improving working conditions and supporting a safer environment for journalists and media professionals in Kosovo, continued with two publications in July.

With EU support, the Advocacy Training and Resource Center (ATRC), BIRN Kosovo and the Jahjaga Foundation published the report “Between Law and Reality: Labour Rights in Kosovo and the Challenges of Implementation in the Private Sector.” The report highlights the gap between legal protections and the everyday realities experienced by many workers.

The findings point to key challenges, including informality, wage inequalities, unsafe working conditions and discrimination, while providing recommendations for policy reforms and stronger institutional mechanisms.
“The EU encourages stronger focus on workplace health and safety, advancing women’s labour market participation, employment equity and anti-discrimination. Stronger regulations and a better-resourced Labour Inspectorate would represent important steps forward,” said Acting Head of the EU in Kosovo Boguslaw Gertruda.

Meanwhile at the launch of the report by the fact-finding mission of the Council of Europe Platform to Promote the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists, EU representatives called for greater protection of journalists, responsible public communication, transparent media ownership and inclusive consultation on reforms affecting the media sector.

The European Union remained strongly engaged in supporting Kosovo’s institutions and democratic development, particularly in the areas of rule of law, accountability and institutional strengthening.

The EU in Kosovo welcomed the appointment of the new Chief State Prosecutor following more than four years of acting arrangements. The appointment represents an important step towards strengthening prosecutorial integrity and accountability and advancing the fight against high-level corruption and organised crime.

The EU also marked the 20th anniversary of Kosovo’s Agency for Prevention of Corruption, reaffirming its continued support for anti-corruption efforts and stronger rule of law institutions. Over the years, EU assistance has contributed to building institutional capacities and advancing reforms aimed at increasing transparency and public trust.

Looking ahead, Mr Dirk Schuebel will assume his post as the new EU Ambassador in Kosovo on 1 September. His arrival will mark a new chapter in the EU’s longstanding partnership with Kosovo as the European Union continues to stand by the country’s people and institutions on its EU path.