The Democracy for Development Institute (D4D) organized the Job Shadow Day activity, where young people had the opportunity to meet three successful entrepreneurs and learn more about their professional journeys.As part of the activity, the young participants were divided into groups and had the chance to listen to the stories, experiences, and business challenges shared by:

• Rudina Kadiu Qosja – Rudi’s Cake Factory
• Blin Zeqiri – Art House & Paketos
• Elvira Ibrahimi Hoti – ACCELL

The entrepreneurs shared their experiences in building their businesses, the challenges they faced along the way, and key lessons learned, serving as inspiring role models for young people who aim to start their own businesses in the future.

At the same time, the research study “Youth Under Pressure – Mental Health and the Transition to Employment in Kosovo” was launched.

The study highlights the challenges young people face when moving from education to the labor market. It shows how economic insecurity, academic pressure, and job market uncertainty increase mental health challenges among youth. The research also points out low trust in institutions and limited access to formal services as key barriers to overcoming these challenges.

This activity was organized as part of the project “Innovation for Impact: Equipping Youth with Skills and Innovation for Labor Market Entry”, within the BOOST Balkans project, funded by AFD – the French Development Agency, with the support of ALDA – the European Association for Local Democracy. It was also implemented as part of the #HumanRightivism project, carried out by the Community Development Fund (CDF) with the support of the Embassy of Sweden in Pristina.