UNICEF Kosovo Marks 30 Years of Its Presence in Kosovo and the World Children’s Day

Pristina, 20 November 2025 — On World Children’s Day, UNICEF Kosovo commemorated 30 years of partnership and progress for children and young people.

In Kosovo, UNICEF and partners reflected on three decades of progress in a commemorative event attended by government representatives, international partners, civil society organizations, children and young people.

Since 1995, UNICEF has supported major milestones for children in Kosovo, including:

• Rebuilding 140 schools, enabling 100,000 children to return to classrooms.
• Eradicating polio and expanding the Home Visiting Programme to all municipalities, providing vital health and developmental support to newborns and parents.
• Supporting adoption of the Law on Child Protection and establishing 330 teacher assistant positions for inclusive education.
• Empowering more than 200,000 young people through UPSHIFT, PONDER, PODIUM, and Kosovo Generation Unlimited.
• Delivering 21 tons of protective equipment and helping secure 739,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses during the pandemic.
• Leading critical data collection through MICS, unlocking key investments, including Kosovo’s first MCC support.

Veronika Vashchenko, Head of UNICEF Kosovo, emphasized the urgency of continued actions: “This anniversary is a tribute to every child, young person, parent, teacher, nurse, social worker and partner who has carried forward UNICEF’s mission. As the world faces multiple crises, our commitment must be stronger than ever. Every child deserves to survive, learn, and thrive.”

UNICEF also shared stories from youth, children and families across Kosovo who benefited from early childhood and education support, home visiting, skills building programmes for young people and disability inclusion initiatives showing how long-term investments create lasting change.

However, UNICEF’s new global flagship report released today reveals an alarming reality: more than 400 million children worldwide are living in poverty, deprived of at least two essential needs such as nutrition, sanitation, or education. Conflict, climate pressures, and declining investments in key services are placing even more children at risk.

As child deprivation increases globally, UNICEF calls for sustained investment to protect children’s rights and ensure that the next generation in Kosovo and worldwide can grow up safe, healthy, and supported.