GRANTEE SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: ENIS QAFELESHI, CO-FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MAKERSPACE
Makerspace Innovation Center Prizren is an innovation center founded in 2017 in Kosovo that aims to develop and promote a digital ecosystem in Prizren area by interconnecting science and education with the industrial and business sector. Can you provide further details about the origins and the overarching mission that led to the establishment of Makerspace?
The mission behind the establishment of Makerspace Innovation Center Prizren was to create a hub that would serve as a focal point for students, ICT enthusiasts, and individuals with shared interests in the community. Initially, MICP concentrated on providing training, coworking spaces, and organizing networking events for the local community.
As time passed and the capabilities of MICP expanded, it evolved into a crucial pillar for promoting innovation, education, and entrepreneurship not only in Prizren but also beyond. The foundation of MICP is rooted in the desire to startle a collaborative environment where individuals come together, share knowledge, and contribute to the growth of the local community ecosystem.
Makerspace, founded by technology and business professionals, has been involved in diverse initiatives, such as Vocational Education and Training Programs, Start-up Incubation, Entrepreneurship Support, Coworking Spaces, and the MakersLab — Creative Industry Lab. Can you delve deeper into the impact of these programs, particularly in terms of employment? Could you share specific success stories or notable achievements resulting from these initiatives?
Throughout its six years of operation, MICP has engaged in diverse activities, all aligned with its objectives. One notable recent initiative is the PowerUp: Digital Career program, which specifically addresses the employment needs of individuals facing unemployment, underemployment, and youth seeking opportunities. The program is structured around a three-phase approach encompassing training, mentoring, and internship.
Candidates participating in the PowerUp: Digital Career program undergo a comprehensive process where, through a merit-based system, they acquire new skills. These skills are not only acquired but also validated through interactions with professional mentors. The culmination of the program involves applying these skills in real-world scenarios during the internship phase. Notably, the program boasts a remarkably high employment rate, attributed to the active involvement of private sector companies as program partners. These companies contribute to the candidates’ journeys, actively participating and supporting the program, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of the initiative.
Other initiatives include Entrepreneurship Programs providing the opportunity to young people with a platform to develop their ideas into successful business ventures. The program is called Idea-to-Scale and it includes workshops, mentoring, and grants for topics relevant to startups and their needs. This year we have the second edition of Idea-to-Scale and the first edition of the incubator for wood processing startups.
Opportunities provided by MICP are endless. Prizren and the region have a gravitational point for innovation, entrepreneurship support, and training for employment offered within Innovation and Training Park (ITP Prizren).
As one of the USAID EDGE grantees, along with your partners from North Macedonia, you are implementing the Cross-Border Collaboration through Digital Transformation and Promotion of Eco-Tourism in the High Scardus Trail Project. The project aims to enhance the competitiveness of the High Scardus Trail in international adventure tourism by digitally transforming local service providers, conducting a comprehensive promotional campaign, and developing professional capacities in mountain tourism. What activities are you implementing in order to achieve the desired outcome?
So far all planned activities have been implemented according to the timeline of the project that’s been funded by USAID EDGE. Currently, we are running the promotion campaign for High Scardus Trail, at the same time in the process of selecting the group of participants who will attend the 6-day training for Management of Groups in Mountain Tourism which will take place in the first week of March. Digital transformation beneficiaries have gone through a digitalization assessment, and as an outcome a digitalization strategy; an important document to consult in the next 1–3 years. Digitalization interventions of service providers along the High Scardus Trail have already finished, and we are looking forward to hearing about the impact on the touristic season in 2024. We believe that all the desired outcomes that have been set in the first phase when we prepared our project concept are achieved and we are very optimistic that this new season will find this destination at a more improved situation when it comes to digitalization, promotion, and trained professionals.
How do you foresee the specific interventions outlined in the project, such as market integration, business sophistication, and sustainable practices adoption, contributing to the overall economic development of the region and the beneficiaries, particularly in terms of job creation and increased revenues for service providers like mountain guides, accommodation providers, and transportation providers?
The outlined interventions hold promise for regional economic development by connecting local businesses to broader markets, enhancing their competitiveness, and promoting sustainability. Market integration will expand customer reach, benefiting service providers like guides and accommodations. Business sophistication will optimize operations, attracting investment and creating jobs. Sustainable practices will attract eco-conscious travelers while preserving local assets. Overall, these interventions aim to stimulate job creation, increase revenues, and foster a resilient tourism ecosystem along the High Scardus Trail.
As a key player in the promotion of innovation and digital transformation, Makerspace has been actively contributing to the development of the Western Balkans. With that in mind, how do you believe fostering innovation and digital transformation in the Western Balkans tourism sector can play a pivotal role in positioning the region as a competitive and appealing destination on the global stage?
Fostering innovation and digital transformation in the Western Balkans tourism sector can help promote the rich cultural and natural heritage of the Western Balkans. It can attract nature and culture enthusiasts to visit the region and experience its rich heritage. Furthermore, it can increase its competitiveness with other tourist destinations in the world.
By attracting more tourists, Western Balkans will open to opportunities, and investments, but also benefit by generating income, especially for family businesses in remote villages which until late were considered places with no or low perspective.
