EU and Germany support digital transition and contribute to job creation in Kosovo’s IT sector

The EU Ambassador in Kosovo, Tomas Szunyog and Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy, Vera Baumann, inaugurated today in Pristina the Innovemia Innovation Academy.

The Academy, in partnership with the digital media company MetDaan and the Innovation and Training Park, will offer training and re-training in digital and tech entrepreneurship, social media, and video editing to the existing employees or young people looking to work in the IT sector, in particular supporting the digital transition of micro and small enterprises.

With the EU and German funding of EUR 150.000, the Academy will provide training courses to at least 210 young people, under the age of 35, all while encouraging the participation of women.

“Launching of this academy is an important step towards building up digital skills in Kosovo. It will help young people increase their employability, and with the digital transition of micro and small enterprises, it will contribute to the overall competitiveness of Kosovo's economy," said Ambassador Szunyog.

“I hope that many young women from Kosovo will take advantage of this new opportunity, join the skilled workforce, and increase participation of women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and math.”

The EU and Germany are one of the main supporters of the digital transition in Kosovo.

Vera Baumann, Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy, said that high-tech and digital industries represent a great potential for Kosovo’s economic development, adding that the “German Government will remain a strong partner in supporting the youth to start a career in these sectors.”

“I am pleased that the academy is being launched not only in Pristina but also at the Innovation and Training Park in Prizren, as one of the flagship projects of the cooperation between Germany and Kosovo,” Baumann said.

She called on the youth to take advantage of this opportunity.

The Innovemia Innovation Academy was established through an EU- and Germany-co-funded Digital4Business project implemented by GIZ’eds Digital Transformation Centre.