On November 29, 2023, Internews Kosova held the conference for the launching of the report “Systematic Discrimination in Facilities and Employment” which reflects the discriminatory policies in the infrastructure of buildings of public institutions that disallow access for vulnerable groups.

The findings of this report show that most of Kosovo’s institutions fail to provide equal access for everyone to public spaces. In 6 months, around 20 municipalities in Kosovo were closely monitored regarding access to space and compliance with the law.

This report provides recommendations and raises awareness on the implementation of anti-discrimination policies in these institutions.

These findings were discussed as part of two panels. The first panel was moderated by Kreshnik Gashi with panelists from Ombudsperson of Kosovo – Naim Qelaj, Ministry of Local Government Administration – Minister Elbert Krasniqi, Municipality of Prishtina – Mayor Perparim Rama and Association of Municipalities of Kosovo – Sazan Ibrahimi.

In this discussion, Përparim Rama stated that Prishtina tries to offer equal access in every sphere and that planning for conducting analyses of buildings is being pushed forward, which will help to see the need for interventions and create access for everyone – he claimed.

The second panel of this conference was moderated by Valon Fana covering  the topic of the challenges of building inclusive institutions with panelists from Handikos – Afrim Maliqi, Ministry of Education, Technology and Innovation – Elvis Karadolami, Health Directorate Prishtina – Izet Sadiku, VORAE – Senad Ibishi and Department of Municipal Performance at the Ministry of Local Government Administration – Drin Haraçia.

This conference gathered in total 42 participants: 13 women and 29 men from the Municipality of Prishtina, Ministry of Local Government Administration, Ministry of Education, Technology and Innovation HANDIKOS, Family Health Centers, NGOs and journalists.

This conference was organized with the financial support of the European Union, within the project “Combating discrimination, hate speech and gender-based violence” – implemented by ATRC, Internews Kosova and D4D.