In today's world, climate change is a pressing issue that affects every aspect of our lives. Recognizing the importance of addressing this global challenge, the "Strengthening Local Climate Action" project (SLCA) in partnership with the University of Prizren “Ukshin Hoti” has taken a proactive step by introducing the Climate Change Mentorship Programme.

In the effort to improve students' knowledge in the area of climate change, and how they are related to rural development for young women and men in Prizren and Suharekë/Suva Reka, the mentorship programme has envisioned boosting efforts to not only educate future generations but also accelerate local climate action and empower young women and men in becoming future agents of change in their communities.

Young people’s awareness and knowledge about the environment, climate change, and rural development are vital for a green shift.

Strengthening the Green Shift: SLCA Project

The Partnership Agreement between the UNDP project and Prizren University "Ukshin Hoti" has been established to facilitate the collaboration between mentors and mentees from Prizren and Suharekë/Suva Reka with the aim of expanding young people’s knowledge of the environment, climate change and rural development, and stepping up efforts to accelerate local climate action. Prizren University "Ukshin Hoti" currently has an enrollment of over three thousand students, with 69% of them being women. Most students originate from Prizren, Suharekë/Suva Reka, Rahovec/Orahovac, Malisheva/Mališevo, and Dragash/Dragaš.

In terms of development trends in climate and agriculture, the University has a Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, comprising 2 bachelor’s and 1 master's programmes. The University has developed the enrolment criteria for the mentorship programme and specified gender equality criteria: at least 50% will be women and from marginalized groups. Students were free to apply to become mentees and select the topics they applied for. Before each activity, there was an additional open call for applications to ensure broader participation. The Mentoring Programme started on the 1st of October 2022 and will end on the 10th of December 2023. During the period of its implementation, numerous activities have been carried out such as online & physical lectures provided by respective field academic staff, and study visits at different locations - depending on the topic of the lecture, the website has been designed and is being maintained, brochures have been designed and printed, the awareness raising activities have been carried out with primary and secondary schools’ students, promotion through media and the murals have been painted at the premises of the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Sciences by the students of the technical high school.

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