Untying the knot for children with disabilities

Children with disabilities in Kosovo have faced significant challenges, including a lack of early identification and support from health and education systems, as well as physical and information barriers and widespread exclusion due to stigma.

To address these issues, UNICEF in Kosovo, with financial support from the European Union and in collaboration with partners, launched the #UntietheKnot; #AllInInclusion campaign. This initiative called on decision-makers, civil society, and the public in Kosovo to unite in making the rights and needs of children with disabilities a shared priority. The campaign was well aligned with UNICEF priorities to generate data and evidence for children with disabilities such as Situation Analysis of Children with disability (SitAn) which provide a greater picture what the issues of children with disabilities are, what are their needs and how the legislation and policies can be shaped based on available evidence and data. Additionally, in 2024 around 3,800 (40% girls) children in vulnerable situations benefited from UNICEF-supported quality social services, including children with disabilities.   Moreover, the Ministry of Education’s commitment to hiring 500 teaching assistants by 2025 marks a major step in transforming the education system into one that is more inclusive, ensuring children with disabilities receive the support they need to thrive in Kosovo’s schools.

A centerpiece of the campaign was The Knot, a three-meter art installation made of 2,000 meters of rope, weighing 400 kg, which symbolized the complex and intertwined challenges children with disabilities and their parents faced daily. The campaign inspired hope to #UntieTheKnot with four main calls to actions:

• Access to public spaces: Children with disabilities should have accessible facilities such as sidewalks, playgrounds, health facilities, classrooms, and toilets.
• Inclusiveness and quality care: All children have the right to learn together in the same schools, play together in the same playgrounds, be part of the community, and have access to information and services that are accessible and adapted to their needs.
• Fight stigma and discrimination: Children with disabilities should be visible—seen moving on the streets, learning in schools, and playing in playgrounds.
• A law that puts people with disabilities at the center: Laws and policies are vital to ensure children with disabilities have access to quality services, protection, and the fulfillment of their rights.

Key Results of the Campaign

The campaign advocating for the rights and inclusion of children with disabilities was implemented in Pristina, Gjilan, Gračanica, Lipjan, and Gjakova, starting in September 2023. It featured a series of activities aimed at raising awareness and advocating for inclusion. Open to the public, the campaign included installations, dialogues, and street events, providing platforms for children and parents to voice their demands for change and inclusion within their communities to decision-makers.

As a result, Prishtina municipality committed to continuing financial support for NGOs that provide direct social services, focusing on children with disabilities. They also promised to maintain an annual subsidy for each child and to keep working on making Prishtina barrier-free for every child.  In Gjakova, the Mayor committed to allocate budget for organizations that work with people with disabilities and make Gjakova accessible for all.

In Gračanica, the focus shifted toward collaboration, bringing local stakeholders together to discuss joint actions to support children with disabilities while in Gjilan the municipality tripled the budget allocation to support and improve services for children with disabilities. Lipjan developed a municipal work plan to support the inclusion agenda and strengthen local initiatives which foster community-wide support for children with disabilities.

Across all municipalities, the campaign saw active participation from local leaders, including Mayors and Deputy Mayors, representatives from the European Union, Ambassadors, NGOs, parents, children, and community members. Their collective involvement reflected a strong, shared commitment to advocating for the rights of children with disabilities and working toward more inclusive communities.

Key results

• Advocacy success: Four municipalities—Pristina, Gjilan, Lipjan, and Gjakova—signed formal commitments to implement inclusive policies, increase budget allocations, and enhance accessibility for children with disabilities.
• Concrete actions pledged: Municipalities committed to actions such as creating barrier-free public spaces, increasing support for NGOs providing services directly to children with disabilities, hiring assistants for children in schools, and improving access to early education.
• Community engagement: Over 650 requests from children, parents, and other supporters were collected during the campaign, providing valuable insights into their needs and aspirations. These requests were brought into attention of decision makers by young advocates, which mobilized Mayors to commit and budget interventions that will improve infrastructure and access to public spaces and services for children with disabilities while, young advocates for children with disabilities committed to deliver the requests to the Prime Minister of Kosovo.
• The power of young advocates to bring change: young adolescents, known as "champion kids," represented their peers and shared their stories with municipal leaders, amplifying the voices and needs of children with disabilities. Their advocacy journey consisted of several meetings and visits to the mayor’s office, knocking on their doors to raise the concerns of their friends and peers. As such Esra, 16 years old from Mitrovica who travels weekly to Prishtina to receive health services said “Every step we take together brings us closer to a world where everyone belongs”, A day in Esra's life: Turning challenges into hope | UNICEF Kosovo Programme whereas Adriatik  states that “Being a voice for the rights of my friends is incredibly empowering. Unraveling the Knot | UNICEF Kosovo Programme. They know that their fight for rights is not just for themselves but for all children who deserve a world that welcomes them.
• Awareness and outreach: The campaign reached over 1.1 million people, through digital platforms and in-person events, raising awareness on the importance of creating inclusive infrastructure and services for children with disabilities.

The results of the #UntieTheKnot campaign highlighted the power of collaboration between local authorities, international partners, and the community. This is demonstrated during a significant moment for Adriatik and his peers when the mayor of Gjakova signed a commitment to inclusivity, which marked a momentous collective achievement. "The mayor’s pledge felt like a weight lifted off our shoulders, showing that our hard work in advocacy is making a difference," Adriatik recalled, emphasizing the importance of tangible commitments from local leadership. This pledge, symbolizing the mayor's dedication to inclusivity, was a key milestone in ensuring that children with disabilities are fully integrated into society, reinforcing the message of hope and change.

The campaign laid the foundation for continued efforts to promote accessibility, equality, and opportunities for all children across Kosovo.