New Business in Agriculture and Tourism Provide Youth Employment

It says: Birol Urcan

Visar Clona is 24 years old, a graduate of the economy. Until late, he never thought that the day would come for him to get involved in agricultural business. He thought that in the future he would probably work at the bank or in some business that concerns the economy or an office. Long ago, the brother told him of a “type” training for agriculture offered for unemployed young people. The decision to participate in this training proved to be also the decision to start a new professional career, which he had not even planned. “was definitely the right decision. At first, I had doubts, but during my training I began to believe that the future of business is in agriculture and more precisely, in the production of organic products” says Visar. After training sessions, all participants were asked to do business plans that should be based on financial feasibility, market research and other knowledge that they have learned during training.

Candidates with better proposals received financial support to start their businesses. Visari is one of the successful candidates who, as a result of this project, became a professional farmer, and one day hopes to turn his small, raspberry parcel into a big business. I passed by this land near my home every day, and I never thought that one day I would earn my income. Now I'm making money using this land. It's like a dream “he says. Currently, Visari earns enough money to support himself and his family. Visari says that even though she graduated from her training sessions, she has learned much about the practical aspect of business. Now others from his village are interested in planting raisins or fine fruit on their land. They visit Visar to see and learn from his experience, seeing it as a good opportunity for economic benefits for them and their families.

Visar is not the only one who has benefited from this project. Another 25 young people who were late unemployed have now begun their businesses thanks to this European Union-funded project. Initially, the programme has trained 100 young people in the field of agriculture and tourism, 50 of them have succeeded in the second round, where ideas on new businesses are advised. As a result, 25 of the best business ideas covering a host of activities such as the production of beans, garlic, raisins and onions, as well as rural and eco tourism, are now active in the Kosovo market.