A lack of opportunities for livelihood and unemployment are the main reasons why young people are increasingly deciding to leave Kosovo. In addition, they are also make the decision to leave in order to continue their education, as they expect to find a job upon completing their studies – as a sort of reward for their efforts. The uncertainty caused by the unstable political situation is also a factor, as are the frequent tensions, especially over the past year. According to the citizens of North Mitrovica, this trend can only be stopped by improving living standards, but also by „all of us becoming better people.“ „I support the young people in leaving in case nothing happens,“ said one local resident.
A resident of North Mitrovica believes that the majority of youth from the Albanian community are leaving in search of a better life. The same can also be said for Kosovo Serbs, who are primarily choosing to move in order to find better working conditions.
„Therefore, the main problems are low levels of employment among young people,“ he told KoSSev.
He added that many young people are leaving to continue their education by enrolling in faculties outside of Mitrovica. However, he hopes that they decide to return after finishing their studies.
When asked the same question, an elderly citizen briefly answered: „They are looking for something better,“ while another local underlined:
„It’s because of work. There aren’t any jobs available here. This is a small area. They have nowhere to have fun and all the young people should leave.“
A professor from Belgrade who came to North Mitrovica for work says that he has not noticed this trend, at least when it comes to the city itself.
„Maybe I’m not qualified to say this, but there are a lot of young people here. Also, unlike Belgrade, there are a lot of children here.“
He added that the main problem may lie in the expectations of students after finishing their studies, namely – employment.
„As far as I can see, unfortunately, most of my students are seeking perspective in some other places, where they can get an adequate salary in exchange for their diploma and work. That part of the economy is missing here,“ he pointed out.
At the same time, some citizens believe that young people from Kosovo are actually fleeing because of the bad political situation, that is, due to the heightened tensions, especially in the last year.
„What else can it be but (cf. lack of) employment and this tension,“ stated one citizen.
Another resident of North Mitrovica also cited that feeling of uncertainty as the biggest problem.
“Simply, it’s a state where you’re waiting for something but you don’t know what. It’s troubling and you cannot live peacefully and normally as you would be able to in some other place.“
As a way to tackle this issue, citizens suggest that the local government provide apartments to young married couples, thus encouraging them to stay in Kosovo.
„It would be ideal if progress was also made in the matter of employment. In that case, young people would stay. We saw that there is a trend of employment in health care, and I hope that it will be the same in other institutions as well,“ one citizen said.
Other measures that could stop the trend of young people fleeing the north of Kosovo include finding them employment, but also reducing tensions.
„For the situation to be peaceful and to provide them with work. Nothing more“
„Apartments should be allocated, and young people should start earning on their own. And that they start thinking of starting a family here. In general, if the standard of living were to improve, maybe young people would stay,“ said an elderly resident.
If something like that does not happen, she added, not only young people, but everyone else will also leave.
„Not only young people, but none of us will stay here in Kosovo. I support the young people in leaving in case nothing happens,“ she said.
A fellow citizen, whose children left North Mitrovica a long time time ago, says that she „doesn’t know“ what could stop the departure of young people.
„Maybe all of us could become better people,“ she concluded.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
