Italian Development Cooperation and ILO Join Forces to Boost Youth Employment in Kosovo’s Hospitality Sector

On 10 June 2025, the International Labour Organization (ILO), with financial support from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS)/ Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, launched a new project to promote sustainable youth employment in Kosovo’s growing hospitality (HoReCa) sector.

The project, “Ho(spitable) Re(silient) Ca(pable): Support to the Labour Market Integration of Young People in the Hospitality Industry,” focuses on unlocking the potential of the hotel, restaurant, and catering industry to drive economic development and inclusive job creation.

Key areas of action include:

• Modernizing TVET institutions to provide market-relevant training
• Expanding access to work-based learning, career guidance, and entrepreneurship support
• Strengthening SMEs to improve working conditions and retain skilled talent

The initiative places special emphasis on supporting young women and men aged 15–29, particularly those facing challenges in entering the labour market.

A technical validation workshop brought together representatives from government institutions, training providers, private sector stakeholders, and development partners to ensure the project reflects local priorities and addresses labour market needs.

During the event, ILO specialists also shared early findings from the project’s inception phase, providing insights into current trends and key challenges facing Kosovo’s HoReCa sector.

This partnership between Italy and the ILO represents a vital step toward aligning education, employment, and enterprise development in Kosovo ensuring that young people are equipped not only to find jobs, but to thrive in them.