Shkruan: Mentor Selimi
Every year, more and more young people from Dragash make the difficult decision to leave their homeland. They are not leaving because of ethnic, cultural or linguistic differences. Most of them are leaving because they do not see a safe future for themselves in the country where they grew up. This phenomenon has become one of the most serious challenges for the development of Dragash and for the future of all local communities.
Kosovo continues to lose thousands of citizens every year through migration. Behind these numbers is a deeper reality: most of those who leave are young. In Dragash, this phenomenon is affecting not only the non-majority community (Gorani and Bosniaks), but also the majority community (Albanians).
In conversations with young people, the same concern is often heard lack of jobs, limited opportunities for professional development, and a feeling that work and talent are not valued enough. Many young people complete their studies or vocational training and face a reality where the prospect of building a stable life is uncertain. As a result, leaving home is increasingly seen as the most likely option.
The consequences of this phenomenon are obvious. Families are being torn apart, schools are enrolling fewer students, and communities are losing the energy of the younger generation. When young people leave, it's not just the workforce that goes away. New ideas, creativity, entrepreneurial potential and the potential for long-term development leave as well. If this trend continues, Dragash risks facing aging populations and increasing difficulties in maintaining economic and social vitality.
At a time when public discourse often focuses on ethnic differences, the everyday reality is that young people share the same concerns. They seek dignified work, quality education, functional institutions and opportunities to build a future in their country. This common challenge can also serve as a meeting point between communities, fostering cooperation and dialogue around common interests.
The responsibility for addressing this problem lies not only with young people. Local and central institutions should create more opportunities for education, employment and economic development by involving young people in decision-making processes and community development.
Migration is becoming more and more apparent in many villages of Opoja. But unlike traditional migration to Western European countries, today a large proportion of new residents are moving to Kosovo's larger towns, such as Prizren or Prishtina. They are looking for what they cannot find in their hometown: better opportunities for education, employment and personal development. After completing high school or university studies, many of them face a difficult reality. Job opportunities are limited, local businesses are scarce, and the prospect of building a long-term career remains unclear. paqartë.
Prizren offers more opportunities for education, employment and a more dynamic life, while Prishtina continues to be the main economic, educational and institutional center of the country. For many young people from Opoja, relocation is not a choice, but a necessity.
While in the part of Gora, the main goal of many young people is not to build life in their homeland, but to emigrate to the countries of the European Union. Germany, Austria, France, Italy and other Western European countries have become landmarks for a generation that is seeing the future outside Kosovo's borders.
This is not a random choice, but the result of a long socio-economic reality. In many villages of Gora, employment opportunities are limited and unsustainable. Another problem is the unstable power supply. The local economy relies mainly on seasonal work, remittances from the diaspora and small family activities, which do not provide long-term security for young people seeking independence and stability.
But the situation is not hopeless. Dragash has natural resources, cultural heritage and tourism development opportunities that many regions would envy. But these advantages are not enough if they are not turned into concrete opportunities for employment and development. Policies are needed to support entrepreneurship, investments in tourism and modern agriculture, vocational training programs and spaces where young people can actually influence decision-making. Above all, political will is needed to address this issue as a priority and not as a statistic.
Gjatë muajve të verës, Dragashi ndryshon fytyrë. Fshatrat dhe qyteza mbushen me njerëz, rrugët gjallërohen dhe ritmi i jetës rritet ndjeshëm. Kthimi i diasporës nga vendet e Bashkimit Evropian sjell jo vetëm një rritje të popullsisë përkohësisht, por edhe një rritje të aktivitetit ekonomik lokal. Për disa javë, ekonomia lokale fiton një gjallëri që mungon gjatë pjesës tjetër të vitit. Megjithatë, ky fluks mbetet i shkurtër dhe i përkohshëm. Mundësitë e punësimit kufizohen në disa javë gjatë verës, kryesisht në sektorin e shërbimeve dhe tregtisë së vogël. Konsumi rritet, bizneset familjare përfitojnë dhe shërbimet lokale gjallërohen.
One of the most important problems for the citizens of Dragash is the lack of regular transport lines connecting Dragash with Prizren. Although the road connecting Dragash with Prizren is in good condition, the lack of regular and frequent transport lines remains a constant challenge for residents. Many citizens, especially young people, students, workers and the elderly, depend on transportation to access education, employment, health services and other daily activities.
Existing lines often do not suit the real needs of citizens, while the lack of more frequent timetables limits movement and economic opportunities. For residents of rural villages especially the part of Gora, this problem becomes even more pronounced, as access to the municipal center and then to Prizren often requires additional time and costs.
A more functional transport system would not only improve citizens' mobility, but also directly affect economic development, employment and quality of life in the municipality.
Power supply, especially in rural areas, remains a persistent problem. Frequent cuts and lack of energy stability negatively affect not only the daily life of citizens, but also the functioning of small and medium-sized businesses. More serious investments in the power grid are necessary to create safer and more predictable conditions for economic development.
Waste management and environmental issues pose a growing problem. The lack of an efficient waste collection and treatment system has led to the creation of illegal landfills in some areas. These landfills not only damage the natural look of the region, but also pose a risk to public health and the local ecosystem.
These challenges are not isolated. They form a cycle that directly affects the overall development of the municipality. The lack of jobs, unsustainable power supply and environmental problems create a reality where investment is limited and where young people see fewer reasons to stay.
Without these interventions, any efforts for economic development or for the retention of young people in the municipality will remain limited. Because development begins exactly where the basic conditions of life begin: jobs, energy, and the environment.
The experience of other countries in the region shows that youth migration cannot be completely stopped but can be reduced when real conditions for development are created. Municipalities that have invested in innovation, local tourism, modern agriculture and youth programs have managed to retain more residents and create long-term prospects. Dragash has considerable natural, cultural and human potential. The challenge remains to turn this potential into concrete opportunities that would give young people reasons to stay.
*Mentor Selimi is an economist and works as a senior executive officer in the Municipality of Dragash.
(This op-ed was written as part of the project ‘Promoting Political Dialogue on Interethnic and Social Cohesion’, supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED)).
