This policy brief addresses a critical research question: Why is there a significant dis- parity in the participation and success rates of young Kosovo Serbs compared to their Kosovo Albanian counterparts in government-sponsored employment programs facil- itated by the Republic of Kosovo’s Employment Agency? This question is paramount for Kosovo’s social cohesion, economic stability, and the long-term integration of all its communities. As the government rolls out large-scale initiatives like ”Superpuna,” a wage-subsidy scheme for youth, and ”Qeveria për Familjet,” designed to support fam- ilies with no employed members, ensuring equitable access and outcomes for all cit- izens is not just a matter of policy effectiveness but a cornerstone of building a truly multi-ethnic and democratic state.
The issue directly affects the economic prospects and social mobility of young Serbs, a community crucial to Kosovo’s future. Failure to integrate this demographic into the formal labor market risks deepening inter-ethnic divides, fostering economic disenfran- chisement, and potentially fueling outward migration. For the government and its inter- national partners, this disparity represents a significant challenge to the stated goals of inclusive development and good governance. While existing reports have addressed youth unemployment in general,this brief focuses specifically on the structural and state-level barriers that exclude young Serbs from public programs. It argues that the lower participation and success rates among young Serbs are not arbitrary but are the result of systemic barriers. These include a lack of targeted, linguistically appropriate outreach, inequitable access to vocational training programs, and a lower level of trust in public institutions. Addressing these structural issues is essential for unlocking the full economic potential of all of Kosovo’s youth and ensuring that government employ- ment schemes achieve their intended universal impact.
