Democracy for Development Institute (D4D) on Thursday, March 16th, held the awarding ceremony for Volunteerism and Civic Activism, in the framework of the project “Volunteer for Development: Promoting Volunteerism and Civic Activism in Kosovo”, which is being implemented in cooperation with George William Youth Association (GWY) and financially supported by the British Embassy in Prishtina.

Ajete Kërqeli, Manager of this project said that they received 348 nominations for volunteers within one month. Except of the 348 nominees, all other volunteers in the community are heroes of our daily lives. Therefore, we are all grateful for the work of each one of them.

Ruari O’Connell, British Ambassador in Kosovo, emphasized that community based volunteering is the main initiative that will bring changes in Kosovo. Therefore, youth in Kosovo does not have time to waste.

The purpose of awarding volunteers and civic activists of the year is promotion of the work and engagement of volunteers in Kosovo, activism and services that made significant change in their community.

Volunteer of the Year is Afërdita Tahiri from Prishtina, who is in the last 10 years, in addition to her primary job, famous for her volunteer work with children with disabilities. From 2008 to 2013 she's been assisting the HENDIFER Organization in Ferizaj, in drafting projects and implementation of activities for children with disabilities. From 2013 she teaches English language to children of SOS Children’s Village in Kosovo. Also, from 2016 together with Association of Blind People in Kosovo she has initiated the activity of hiking in nature “Feel the Nature” for visually impaired persons.

Certificate of Recognition for Civic Activism was awarded to Arrita Deva who is engaged in many charity activities for the community. As a volunteer at the Kenny Foundation, she has organized the youth to fundraise and support the socially disadvantaged in the Municipality of Mitrovica.

Certificate of Recognition for Promoting Volunteerism was presented to the volunteers of the DokuFest Festival. Each of the volunteers of the Festival have served the community in which they were established. Also, with their work they have contributed to cultural, economic and turstic development of Prizren and international promotion of the Festival.

Certificate of Recognition for Contribution to the Community was awarded to Rabihane Dema and Anisa and Erhan Mujka. Rabihane Dema is famous in the community for her volunteer work through helping women victims of sexual and/or domestic violence by offering free gynecological and obstetrical services in Kosovo. Also, through “Center for Protection of Women and Children” she visited refugee camps in Tetova and the region where she offered free medical services and medicines.

Anisa and Erhan Mujka in the Municipality of Mitrovica are known as organizers of cultural activities to help children with disabilities. They have created music groups with pupils and children of “Down Syndrome Mitrovica” by teaching them songs. At the organized concerts they have presented paintings, painted by the children and with the income from their sale they have helped organiziations that help children with disabilities.