• To contribute to the social inclusion and poverty reduction of Roma people living in Albania and Kosovo through support of vocational education and training;
• To facilitate the enrolment into the labour market and empowering stakeholders on taking measures and supporting the transition of Roma to employment.

• Young Roma (ages 14-18) seeking to extend their education past the mandatory education period;
• Young Roma adults (ages 18-28) seeking to complete secondary school or vocational education;
• Young adults (ages 18-28) seeking to improve their educational qualifications to be competitive in the labour market.

1. Vocational Education and Training, including:
   • selection and financial support;
   • mentorship and tutorship providing practical advice and academic assistance to improve Roma young people’s access to education.
2. Professional Practice, including:
   • professional development and partnership with private companies;
   • the improvement and development of soft skills;
   • three months financially supported internship by the project.

• Outreach and recruitment fairs/meetings.

WinForVET has carried out 78 info sessions and recruiting activities from the office and in the field, with the local staff and mentors, with institutions at the central and local levels, schools and community centres, and civil society organizations. Additionally, RVA signed 7 memorandums of understanding. One is signed with NAES and six others with local CSOs.

• Selection and distribution of financial assistance.

WinForVET received 357 applications from Roma and Egyptian students from vocational high schools and young people interested in courses, from which we supported 219, including 153 for VET schools and 66 with vocational courses.

• Training for tutors and mentors.

Roma Versitas Albania has been trained on the mentoring module by REF focal points in Albania and Kosovo and by an external expert. It has recruited 9 local mentors and conducted 4 trainings with mentors and tutors.

• Training and meeting with indirect target groups.

WinForVET has conducted 93 meetings with indirect target groups such as vocational education training schools and potential employers and monitoring meetings in professional course facilities.

• Development of personalized career plans.

WinForVET has developed 86 individual development and career plans or 246 individual sessions translated from 3 sessions per individual.

• Provision of tutoring and mentoring sessions.

Through local mentors and mentors for VET schools, WinForVET has provided approximately 1,466 hours of mentoring. Meanwhile, 3 tutors have conducted 262 additional lessons in Albanian language and grammar, literature, mathematics, and English.

• Soft-skills training.

WinForVET, organized and provided to Roma pupils and young adults 28 training sessions on soft skills which were held on spot, locally, and virtually during post-covid 19. In total, 164 pupils and young adults attended the training on soft-skills.

• National Roundtables for advocacy and influencing policies.

WinForVET has organized a kick-off event for the project presentation and 3 national roundtables on public policies in education, vocational training, and employment. At the end of the project, two short policy documents were produced, one on education and vocational training and another on employment promotion.

• Outreach to employers and internships.

WinForVET has contacted various employers through email, phone calls, face-to-face meetings, and through local mentors to offer young people opportunities for transition to employment through professional internships. In total, about 32 employers have been directly contacted and, in some cases, virtually: (4 in Durres), (8 in Elbasan), (3 in Gjirokaster), (5 in Tirana), (5 in Korça), (4 in Berat), and (3 in Fier). Meanwhile, 22 young Roma individuals have been supported through 1-3 monthlong professional internships.

• Study visits to Roma and non-Roma businesses and institutions.

WinForVET has organized 13 study visits to businesses and organizations in Tirana, Berat, and Fier. In total, 36 young people participated, including 17 boys and 19 girls.