Over 70 small businesses from non-majority communities have presented their products at the IV program business fair, with the aim of contributing to social development for their communities. 

The Office of the European Union in partnership with the Ministry for Communities and Returns, as well as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), through this fair aim to create sustainable employment and opportunities for social integration to generate income for non-majority residents in Kosovo. .

On this occasion, the head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Ana Rostocka said that today the communities are presenting their products and added that through this they are showing that they are dedicated to their work.

She said that this fair will enable people to develop their business and will be an inspiration for others.

"This shows a good opportunity to show the commitment of many people who work on a daily basis for the success of their businesses, for the variety of ideas providing not only income for their families but also providing employment opportunities for others and contributing to the social and economic development of their communities. This is an opportunity to promote businesses not only for all of us to see the empowerment and variety of businesses but to see the possibilities of promoting business-to-business cooperation and thus contribute to the establishment and development of businesses. We have here an example of all these businesses to show, there are more than 60 businesses in order to offer them an overview of what this fair is and to evaluate and give them the opportunity to display their products. The program has also made it possible to create a link between peace and trust building as well as support for multi-ethnic communities and their economic and social development." Rostocka said.

Meanwhile, the head of the Section for Cooperation and Coordination from the European Union office, Stenbeak Madsen, said that these family businesses have an important role in the country's economy.

He said that especially for communities it is an opportunity to work their lands and improve social welfare.

Madsen added that the EU office offers continuous support to non-majority communities and through this program the EU has managed to finalize over 300 family businesses and over 500 employees who live in disadvantaged areas.

 "Family businesses play an important role in the local economy and the fact that this is offered to non-majority communities in Kosovo, made this support that we offered even more sustainable as a way to strengthen and stabilize society as a whole. This provides opportunities for communities, opportunities for employment, to work on their land to have access to new economic initiatives to improve conditions for their families as well as for the well-being of the communities as a whole. For Kosovo, it offers opportunities to remain a multi-ethnic state and to support many different ethnicities in Kosovo. The EU Office is pleased to offer cooperation for more than 20 years to various non-majority communities in Kosovo through 75 million euros for various programs for non-majority communities and to provide inter-ethnic dialogue.....Through this program since 2003, the EU office has provided financial support to over 260 family businesses that employ over 9000 individuals, all of whom are members of non-majority communities in the most disadvantaged areas. Madsen added.

The Minister for Communities and Return, Nenad Rashiq added that this is an employment opportunity for non-majority communities.

He said that every citizen in Kosovo can contribute to the economy of the country where he lives and that these businesses are an example of social integration. Rashiq said that in the future the minister will call for different projects to provide opportunities for all our citizens, because according to him this community has potential.

"This is a great opportunity to show the diversity, creativity and potential of businesses from different cultural groups in Kosovo. We believe that every citizen regardless of their identity has the right to seek and follow their dreams to contribute to the social development of our country. To date, through various projects, 265 micro-enterprises, 21 business associations have been created, providing employment opportunities for 300 individuals as well as part-time employment for 130 additional people. The program has contributed to the establishment of 91 projects in schools, nurseries and the improvement of infrastructure in Kosovo. These businesses are examples of how diversity can be a driving force towards innovation, creativity and quality, these are examples of how entrepreneurship can be a tool for empowerment, integration and social change. Their example shows that businesses can be a force for good, for prosperity and for peace. In the future, the ministry, based on our capacities, will initiate different projects and different calls for projects, and I believe that this is the only way we can create a good basis not only to communicate but to offer opportunities to different for all our citizens because I have seen in many places here that there is a lot of potential", said Rashiq.

The Community Stabilization Program IV aims to help non-majority communities, improve their living conditions, empower and stabilize them. This program has been active since 2002, improving the socio-economic life of the communities and increasing their employment.

The Project for the Stabilization of Communities Program IV is co-financed by the European Union and the Ministry for Communities and Returns. The fair started today (Thursday) and will last until 14:00./A.Drenica