Exhibition of handicrafts “Bazar of Hope”
On 29 September, in Gračanica/Graçanicë, UNHCR partner organization “Forum for Development and Multiethnic Collaboration – FDMC” jointly with Touristic Organization of Gracanica, brought together displaced persons to present and sell their handmade products.
This exhibition of handicrafts and home-made products has been organized in Gračanica/Graçanicë since 2019, as a symbolic contribution towards better integration of internally displaced persons and refugees living in the Collective Shelters and private accommodation Kosovo wide.
The UNHCR Chief of Mission, Mr. Arjun Shreshta expressed special appreciation to displaced persons for taking the opportunity to participate in this initiative, emphasizing that UNHCR will continue to advocate for inclusive socio-economic development and synergies among relevant stakeholders for the benefit of displaced persons to enhance their local integration prospects.
“There are currently 15 Collective Shelters in Kosovo, where 139 people reside. This exhibition aims not only to present the handmade products of our beneficiaries, but also to contribute to the improvement of their standard of living and connect them with the potential market” says Filip Dimic, from FDMC.
“The Bazaar of Hope is of great importance for our community and we will try to promote it and make it a traditional manifestation. Exhibitors from this Bazar will be able to exhibit their products in the souvenir shop of the Tourist Organization of Gracanica” says director of the Touristic Organization Gracanica, Sandra Djokic. Gordana Djoric, from the “Avenija” Women’s Association, noted that she has been gathering internally displaced women, working on their economic empowerment, as well as on the protection of their basic and property rights.
The Municipality of Gračanica/Graçanicë, the Police Station of Gračanica/Graçanicë, the Ministry for Communities and Return, the House of Culture Gracanica, the Public Utility Company “Ekologija”, the Elementary School “Kralj Milutin” also participated in the implementation of the Bazaar of Hope.
