2024-09-30

Fighters for Improving the Conditions of Student Accommodation Facilities and Other Rights

Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE

The Fighters for Improving the Conditions of Student Accommodation Facilities and Other Rights is one of five regional informal groups whose project “Students from the Western Balkans in a battle for European Living Conditions” has received financial support through the “Active Achievement Fund”, a sub-granting activity of the “Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE” project funded by the European Union.

The “Active Achievement Fund” aims to empower youth in the Western Balkans to participate in a structured dialogue on public policies relevant to youth, to advocate for the adoption of European values and strengthening of democratic and responsible institutions, and to promote regional cooperation and political, economic, and social benefits of the EU integration for the Western Balkans societies. Support is provided through the direct payments by RYDE partner organization Network of Progressive Initiatives from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which serve as intermediary organizations for their project.

This informal group consists of five students from Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia, who want to address the bad student conditions in these countries, compared to those in EU member states, as well as to urge the public authorities to take measures to improve these conditions as a prerequisite for joining the Union.

Project background: The issue of substandard student dormitory conditions, including delayed scholarships, malfunctioning meal vouchers, and inadequate living standards, has been ongoing in many Western Balkan countries. In North Macedonia, for instance, there is no hot water, limited access to free internet, frequent internet disruptions, and other issues, as highlighted in media reports and official institution findings.

Using a qualitative approach, the research focuses on six dormitories in the Western Balkans and two each from Slovenia and Germany, incorporating data from state institutions, ministries, and NGOs. The goal is to evaluate whether increased state funding for dormitories can align conditions in the Western Balkans with EU standards, while encouraging student organizations to raise awareness and push for long-term improvements. The study also aims to prompt immediate prioritization of this issue by state institutions.

As a part of the project “Students from the Western Balkans in a battle for European Living Conditions”, "The Comparative Analysis of Conditions in Student Dormitories in Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia versus EU Member States: Slovenia and Germany" has been conducted. Interviews were conducted with students living in student dormitories in Skopje, Tirana, Niš, and with students from German student dormitories in Bochum and student dormitories in Ljubljana.

At the same time, a mini survey was carried out with several dozen students, who answered questions related to various aspects of student life, including: heating and inventory, study conditions and availability of air conditioning, hygiene, toilets, bathrooms, hot water, Internet and food quality, transport and scholarships, accessibility for students with special needs etc.

The findings of the State Audit Institute of North Macedonia, the Ministry of Education, the Non-Governmental Organization MOF, the President of the Student Assembly, and other institutions and analyses, were taken into consideration, as well as findings from relevant institutions and non-governmental organizations in Albania, as stated to the Mayor of Tirana, the Albanian Center for Qualitative Journalism, the Albanian Institute of Science, and other findings and statements.

Furthermore, the results from Serbia, including the statement of the State Secretary of the Ministry of Education, statements from the Institute for Statistics of Serbia, and statements from the President of the Movement of Free Citizens, as well as research on student life.

Specific policy recommendations for improving living conditions in student dormitories in Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia, based on the conducted Analysis, will be sent to the public institutions in these three countries.

Public event took place on June 13th at Public Room in Skopje, where a presentation of the "The Comparative Analysis of Conditions in Student Dormitories in Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia versus EU Member States: Slovenia and Germany" was held. Among the participants was a representative from the Ministry of Education and Science of North Macedonia – the director of student dormitories, Aleksandar Karovski. He took note of all the relevant information presented during the event and stated that he would share it with other government officials, including the Minister of Education and Science.

The program started with an introductory address by the moderator and project coordinator, followed by the expert’s presentation of the research findings. After that, the Ministry representative gave a brief address, and then an open discussion was held, during which participants raised important questions and shared their views on the issues related to student accommodation and student rights.

Around 30 participants attended, coming from all three countries covered by the research (Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia), as well as from the EU countries.