Where education meets change: Alisan’s story
A passionate and determined 21-year-old, Alisan Skenderi balances his academic life with activism, poetry, and apprenticeships while remaining deeply connected to his Roma heritage.
A Kosovo Roma from Lapje Selo/Lapnasella, Alisan is a second-year student at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Kosovo, pursuing a degree with an interest in peace and conflict resolution, public policy, and management.
With the Kosovo Roma community facing an ever-growing list of challenges in access to education, and in particular higher education, Alisan is an example of how taking necessary steps and grasping available opportunities can build a successful career and improve not just one’s personal social standing, but that of an entire community.
A report published by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo in March 2024 states that despite commendable efforts by the Ministry of Education, dropouts, irregular attendance, and non-enrolment continue to be a concern, particularly among children from Kosovo Roma, Kosovo Ashkali, and Kosovo Egyptian communities.
With this situation in mind, Alisan’s academic interests are focused on social issues and leadership, with a desire to help others. "I love solving problems and dealing with people. I think of myself as a good leader but also a strong team player," Alisan explains.
Helping others at the core of activism
The drive to help others is at the core of Alisan's activism, and it has led him to engage with various organizations and projects focused on social change.
Besides his love for activism, poetry is a central part of his life. “Writing is the best way to express yourself”, he says. His poetry often reflects his experiences as a member of the Kosovo Roma community, and his stories explore themes of love, family, and friendship.
Alisan's activism journey took off during his gap year after high school. "My gap year was one of the best decisions I ever made," he says. During this time, he volunteered at various organizations where he connected with like-minded individuals who shared his values of social change and empowerment.
One such opportunity was his apprenticeship at the Ministry of Education’s Diploma Verification Department, supported by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. Here, Alisan played a key role in verifying diplomas for university students from Mitrovica/Mitrovicë North - an administrative task with profound implications. This process is essential in ensuring that graduates can access the job market, a crucial step toward economic inclusion and empowerment for young people in Kosovo.
Empowering Kosovo Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian youth
The OSCE apprenticeship programme supports educated young people from Kosovo Roma, Kosovo Ashkali, and Kosovo Egyptian communities by offering apprenticeships in public institutions across Kosovo. Each year, selected apprentices are placed within various institutions, where they gain valuable work experience, professional training, mentorship, and an understanding of Government operations.
Alisan was among eight apprentices chosen to complete their apprenticeships at high-level institutions between May and July 2024. They were placed in various institutions, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Office of Good Governance, Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK), the Ministry of Regional Development, and the Ministry of Culture and Youth.
Since its launch in 2020, the apprenticeship programme has successfully placed 38 young individuals in various public institutions. The program’s commitment to invest in youth through apprenticeships and professional training continues to yield results, with a few of them being offered positions within the institutions where they completed their apprenticeships in the last two years or are now engaged with other public institutions.
Roma Versitas Kosovo, an organization dedicated to empowering young people from marginalized communities, is a key partner in the programme's success. Their collaboration has been instrumental in ensuring its continued success.
A journey of learning and personal growth
From his activism, poetry life, and work with NGOs, the apprenticeship at the Ministry was a stark contrast. “With NGOs, things are - to say - more laid-back,” he noted. “But this was different. There’s a lot of responsibility, and you realize how important the work is.”
Initially intimidated by the volume of paperwork and the intricacies of the job, but with guidance from his colleagues, Alisan adapted quickly and found satisfaction in his work. "At first, it was overwhelming with all the letters and folders, but I learned a lot," he reflects.
During his apprenticeship, he had a challenging but rewarding experience. His primary responsibility was managing the vast database of diploma verifications. Each day, he entered the required information into the system, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
Fluent in both Albanian and Serbian, he often translated for those who spoke Serbian, guiding them through the bureaucratic process of diploma verification. Each week, Alisan participated in meetings with the administrative team to review the verification process, ensuring that all documents were complete and ready for approval.
Despite the pressure, he grew more confident in his ability to manage the responsibilities of the job. “It was stressful, but in a good way,” he says. “It gave me this pressure but at the same time the confidence that I can do it and that I'm more prepared to go into adulthood and have a job in the future.”
Alisan’s apprenticeship at the Ministry also gave him an opportunity to see the difference between the private and public sectors. "In public institutions, there’s this hierarchy, and things depend on decisions made by people at the top. That taught me a lot about how the system works, and I have so much respect for public institutions because I understand the importance of their work."
This experience reinforced his desire to help others. “It motivated me even more to keep going,” he explained. “Every name, every file—each one represented a person whose life could change. And that kept me going, even when it got overwhelming.”
Bridging education gaps and inspiring change
From the OSCE Mission’s side, Cordelia Lafferty from the Communities Section is in charge of the programme. “This program is one of my favourite annual activities. From meeting young people during the recruitment process, where we discuss their goals and placement preferences, to checking in with them as they navigate their roles in different institutions, and then hearing them swap stories at the certificate-giving ceremony, everyone has their own journey. Each apprentice has a unique experience, and the program truly demonstrates that you get out of it what you put into it,” she says.
“It’s bittersweet, though,” she continues, “because these young individuals carry the weight of representing their communities in environments where few from the Kosovo Roma, Kosovo Ashkali, and Kosovo Egyptian communities are present, particularly within Government structures. Their presence challenges prejudice and makes a meaningful impact.”
“Having worked on this project for five years, it’s incredibly rewarding to see institutions now proactively asking when they will receive their apprentice. This shows that the initiative is breaking down harmful stereotypes. These young people are inspiring, motivated, and capable, and they continue to pave the way for greater inclusion and understanding,” noted Cordelia.
Looking toward the future, Alisan hopes to use his education and experiences to give back to his Kosovo Roma community.
“This experience helped me realize that there’s so many opportunities, and if you have someone just to push you to apply and to use the opportunities, you can do whatever you want. After this programme I’m trying to be this push to others.”
Alisan is determined to continue his education and pursue a career in peace and conflict resolution. “I have the opportunity to go to university but many others don’t have that chance, and I feel the responsibility to help, to give back to the community,” he says.
“If I can help even a little, it will be worth it. Success for me is about being a good role model, and using what I’ve learned to make the world a better place”, Alisan concluded.