Balkan Sunflowers Kosova (BSFK) promotes the ideals of a caring and open society by working for inclusiveness, protection of human rights and promotion of voluntarism as a tool for social reconstruction. It works predominantly with Kosovo’s most vulnerable communities such as Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians. BSFK currently counts more than 100 staff including administrative, program, and volunteers.

Balkan Sunflowers Kosova seeks to mobilize Kosovo’s non-majority communities in securing for themselves full human rights, including the right to education and integration in Kosovo society.

Every child deserves equal access to education. BSFK aims to provide extremely disadvantaged children with educational support including a caring community with innovative teaching methods and necessary materials.

Child-centered: We are inspired by experience which shows that all children want to learn. If the learning environment is welcoming then the children will be less likely to resist and our welcoming learning centers and well-facilitated learning experiences will be a significant first step for children to move on to or return to formal state-run education. By opening learning experiences to all children, the Learning Centers seek to provide children with the educational support which allows them to develop to their full potential. The Kosovo education system still suffers from problems of the past but our centers encourage a more child-centered environment which is also at the heart of the methodology to be employed in the Literacy and Science Clubs. This means that children are encouraged to speak, to ask and answer questions and to express themselves being co-constructers of their knowledge and meaning.

Community-based: At all times community engagement and participation is central to our work. Balkan Sunflowers Kosova’s staffs, as well as the volunteers, are active members of the communities in which they work. The different characteristics and traditions of the families and communities of the children must be taken into consideration in order to foster the children’s learning process. The program’s sensitivity and responsiveness to families is shown through valuing and involving parents and families participation in the process of planning and assessing the activities.

Volunteer-supported: In addition to full-time staff, Balkan Sunflowers Kosova has volunteer staff members. Their contribution of work demonstrates their commitment to the cause and is critical to our success.

Inclusive: Our projects promote inter-ethnic dialogue and activities, mainly through cooperation with schools, and we encourage relationship-building between people of all ethnicities in our program areas.

Web site link: www.balkansunflowers.org