CREATResili

We are very proud to have launched our first European Union project, CREATResili, which is a Hungarian-Kosovar-Albanian consortium that mainly helps abused women in Kosovo through the tools of social design.

We are very proud to announce that on 1 January 2024 we launched our first European Union project, CREATResili, co-funded by the Creative Europe programme, which is a Hungarian-Kosovar-Albanian consortium that primarily helps abused women in Kosovo through the tools of social design. Here is a summary of what you should know about the project. For the latest news and information, you can also follow us on social media, as the project has its own IG and an X profile for the international community!

CREATResili is an outreach initiative supported by the Creative Europe programme. Our project, launched in January 2024, led by Hungary Helps Agency, aims to promote social sensitivity and self-sustainability of vulnerable communities through a Hungarian-Kosovar-Albanian consortium.

Our aim is to create a programme where we use the tools of creativity to support vulnerable groups, especially marginalised women in Kosovo who are exposed to gender-based violence. Our 22-month project focuses on social design with the aim of supporting those affected.The participating organisations are looking for international model responses to the problem of gender-based violence. To this end, we organise training sessions where women who have been abused, with the help of professionals, create creative, self-expressive design products that can later help them earn their own independent income. It also gives them the opportunity to break out of abusive relationships and share their stories with the world. CREATResili is the result of cooperation between sectors. Members of the consortium include Hungary Helps Agency, a governmental humanitarian and development agency, Pro Progressione as an arts hub, Jahjaga Foundation Kosovo as a civil society organisation and Gjirafa Albania representing the e-commerce sector. The Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design provides professional support and expertise in the field of social design to contribute to the success of the project.

F.A.Q. on CREATResili

What is CREATResili and who is it aimed at?

CREATResili is a project supported by the Creative Europe Programme, the main objective of which is to develop a programme that uses creative means to promote social awareness and the self-sustainability of vulnerable communities. The project was launched on 1 January 2024 under the leadership of the Hungary Helps Agency, in cooperation with a Hungarian-Kosovar-Albanian consortium. It supports mainly marginalised women living in Kosovo who are exposed to gender-based violence, often lack an adequate social safety net and are severely restricted in their ability to earn a living.

Why are women in Kosovo vulnerable, what does it mean to be a marginalised community?

Worldwide, one in three women suffers violence at the hands of a partner or someone close to them. But the situation of abused women in Kosovo is even more complex and worrying. The authorities focus mainly on prosecution, provide little support to asylum seekers, and the socio-economic difficulties and limited employment opportunities exacerbate the situation. In 2017, only 17% of women in Kosovo were formally employed, compared to 50% of men, and in 2021 only 18% of assets were owned by women, compared to 79% of men. Women are often excluded from family inheritance and are also disadvantaged in the division of property between spouses in divorce proceedings. Even if they manage to escape an abusive environment, women in Kosovo still find it difficult to start a new life. They are severely hampered by unresolved trauma and the lack of conditions for independent livelihoods. CREATResili supports these women through an innovative (social design) methodology and approach.

What is social design and how is it used in the CREATResili project?

Social design is an approach to design that seeks solutions to social problems and creates products or services in a community- and people-centred way. The CREATResili project uses social design to help women who have experienced abuse to produce and sell creative, self-expressive design products. This not only helps them to earn an independent income, but also helps them to leave abusive relationships, deal with personal trauma and raise awareness of gender-based violence.

How long will the programme last and how will it be structured?

The 22-month project consists of two modules: 1. First modile: the first part focuses on developing social design methodology and training creative professionals. It offers new approaches for those working in the field of the arts to serve disadvantaged communities more effectively through professional development and fieldwork. 2. Second module: In the second phase of the project, the methodology will be applied in a real, local context, specifically for abused women in Kosovo. The aim is to help them to become self-sufficient and to cope with trauma, while raising international awareness of gender-based violence.

What kind of support will the Kosovan women receive?

Women participating in the project will receive professional training and guidance in creating design products. These products will help them earn their own independent income. Additionally, the program will support their emotional healing by offering them a platform to break free from abusive relationships and share their personal stories.

Who are the key members of the consortium supporting the project, and what roles do they play in its implementation?

The CREATResili Consortium is composed of trusted partners who have successfully collaborated on previous initiatives. The strong relationships among these partners ensure smooth cooperation, while their diverse expertise will contribute to the successful realization of the various aspects of the project.Consortium PartnertsHungary Helps Agency (Hungary) – Lead PartnerProfessional Competence: International Development and Humanitarian PolicyHungary Helps Agency (HH) is a governmental non-profit organization responsible for managing grants and overseeing the implementation of humanitarian and social rehabilitation projects in regions such as Africa, the Middle East, and the Western Balkans. HH’s approach focuses on acting locally and designing projects based on community needs, as identified by local representatives. Prioritizing intercultural and interreligious dialogue, local resilience building, and peace stabilization, HH upholds the "do no harm" principle. With over 260 projects globally and a budget of approximately 71 million EUR, HH has significant expertise in project coordination and monitoring. Hungary Helps will contribute its project coordination and monitoring expertise, promote the project to a wider audience, and help ensure its sustainability and visibility at the EU level.Pro Progressione (Hungary)Professional Competence: Socially Engaged ArtsPro Progressione (PP) is a Budapest-based artistic hub connecting professionals across various fields to create international cultural collaborations. With a mission to foster innovative solutions through the arts, PP’s team is dedicated to cultural and social initiatives. As a key player in European cultural networks such as Culture Action Europe, IETM, MitOst, and Voices of Culture, Pro Progressione has built a reputation as an active participant in creative projects. Notably, PP was selected as an official partner for the European Commission's New European Bauhaus Initiative. With extensive experience in socially engaged arts, PP will contribute by designing and organizing training sessions and workshops for creative minds, fostering collaboration among artists, activists, and experts.Jahjaga Foundation (Kosovo)Professional Competence: Social Inclusiveness and Support for Marginalized WomenFounded in 2018 by former Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga, the Jahjaga Foundation (JF) is committed to promoting democratic development through social inclusion, particularly for marginalized groups. With a focus on supporting women in vulnerable situations, including survivors of gender-based violence, JF has led impactful projects, such as the "One in Three" initiative. JF will contribute its expertise in empowering marginalized women and will play a pivotal role in piloting methodologies for co-designing and co-producing new products. Local experts and students from Kosovo’s Evolution Design School will also be involved, supporting the residency phase by facilitating workshops and bridging language barriers.Gjirafa (Albania)Professional Competence: E-commerce and AdvertisingGjirafa is a rapidly growing tech company with over 300 employees across five countries, specializing in e-commerce, video streaming, online marketing, cloud computing, and entertainment production. As a major player in the region, Gjirafa operates GjirafaMall, a marketplace aimed at empowering businesses of all sizes to engage in cross-border e-commerce. GjirafaAds, the company’s advertising platform, helps businesses reach their target audiences effectively. Through its work, Gjirafa will run e-commerce operations via GjirafaMall, promoting products to potential clients through various communication channels such as social media, Google Ads, and more. Gjirafa’s contribution will be instrumental in raising awareness about gender-based violence and economically empowering marginalized women. Additionally, Gjirafa’s extensive knowledge in e-commerce will provide creative minds with valuable insights into the digital landscape.Associated PartnerMoholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (Hungary)Professional Competence: Social Design Methodology and International NetworkFounded more than 140 years ago, the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME) is a key institution in Hungary’s creative industry. The university is committed to social responsibility through its Social Design HUB, which focuses on research and projects that address social inclusion, social entrepreneurship, and education. MOME is also a co-founder of the internationally recognized Social Design Network (SDN), which connects global experts in social design to advance education and research. As an associated partner, MOME will contribute its expertise in social design methodology and its extensive international network to ensure the success of this project.

What has happened so far?

December 2023 - Kick-off Meeting in Budapest The kick-off event for the CREATResili project was held in Budapest from December 4-6, 2023. During this initial partner meeting, the necessary project documentation was approved, and the Consortium Agreement was finalized. On the second day of the kick-off meeting, a press conference was organized, attended by Atifete Jahjaga, the fourth and first female President of the Republic of Kosovo and head of the Jahjaga Foundation.February 2024 - Partner Meeting and Field Visit in Pristina The second partner meeting and the first field visit took place in Pristina, Kosovo, in February 2024. During this visit, we met with women involved in the project, assessed the premises of the Jahjaga Foundation’s sewing workshop and store, and visited a shelter. Important decisions regarding the next steps of the project were made during the partner meeting held at the Gjirafa local office.April 2024 - Open Call for Artists and Designers In the spring of 2024, under the coordination of Pro Progressione, an open call was launched to find dedicated, socially conscious individuals interested in creative activities to join the CREATResili project.August 2024 - Summer University On August 26, 2024, the CREATResili project’s week-long summer university, titled "Social Design Summer University," officially began. Throughout the week, participants engaged in creativity-testing, inspiring programs, worked on interactive workshops, and gained new perspectives. The highlight was the closing day on August 30, when participants presented their projects. After extensive deliberation, the jury selected the ideas of Borbála Moravcsik, Annamária Kmetyó, and Miriam Sékou Coulibaly as the strongest, earning them the opportunity to assist women affected by violence in Kosovo.November 2024 – March 2025 Residency Program in Kosovo February 2025 – Mid-term Partner Meeting in BudapestWe kicked off the year with a renewed team at the Hungary Helps Agency office in Budapest. The project has completed an intensive and active period: the Summer University successfully concluded, the residency programs have begun, a new collection is in the making, and product sales will soon commence. During the meeting, the project team (HHA: Krisztina Szenczi, Annamária Jacsó, Fanni Hegedűs; Pro Progressione: Anna Némethné Molnár; Jahjaga Foundation: Arbenita Krasniqi; Gjirafa: Blerta Sejdija) reflected on the past months, summarized key insights, and started preparations for the upcoming active phase.June 2025 – On-Site Visit to PristinaBetween June 22–26, 2025, a three-member delegation from the Hungary Helps Agency — Annamária Jacsó, Luca Móczár, and Fanni Hegedűs — visited Kosovo. The purpose of this second visit was to reflect together on the journey leading to the creation of the collection and to prepare for the final phase of the project.

Disclaimer

Funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Testimonials

format_quoteWith our partners, we are thrilled to launch the CREATResili project. Creating a project where creativity facilitates social sensitivity and self-sustainability could have a twofold impact: It could restore the dignity and build the resilience of women with vulnerable and marginalized backgrounds, on the other hand, creativity can help them to form their personal - and often concealed - stories into a strong voice that can be understood even in wider international publicity.

Hungary Helps Agency team

format_quoteDesigners usually create tools, methods, and artifacts for the challenges that surround us. Just like everyone else - when a problem occurs, we create solutions for it. Since I practice the so-called ‘design’, I’m trying to work together with communities and facilitate caring solutions for their own challenges with them, whether it is a challenge in our urban, societal, or educational systems.

Borbála Moravcsik

creative mind, participating CREATResili Residency Program

format_quoteI think of art as a tool for non-political communication about life and society. I've always worked with issues that are strongly connected to marginalised life experiences, including femininity or ethnic and diasporic experiences - overall, this has led me into the field of social design.

Miriam Sékou Coulibaly

creative mind, participating CREATResili Residency Program

format_quoteBy joining forces across sectors, and through the power of co-creation, we hope to transform creative thinking into a catalyst for social good.

Pro Progressione team

format_quoteBy joining forces in the CREATResili project, we are not just participants, we are architects of hope, using the power of social design to transform vulnerability into strength and silence into a symphony of voices heard worldwide. This collaboration is a bold statement that creativity can indeed reshape the world, making it a place where resilience is not just admired but actively cultivated in every community.

Jahjaga Foundation team

format_quoteWith CREATResili, we stand united against abuse, fostering a community where women find strength, support, and the power to thrive.

Gjirafa team

format_quoteWe are very happy to begin a new chapter in our work on this journey that has been filled with numerous challenges and experiences.

Lumnije Vitia-Morina

participant of CREATResili

format_quoteOur work would be impossible without each other’s support as we share knowledge and provide assistance to anyone in need. We are delighted that our clientele continues to grow each day.

Shkurta Halilaj

participant of CREATResili

format_quoteWe are deeply grateful to the Jahjaga Foundation and the CREATResili project for their support. Thankful to each and every person who shares moments with us and for the new friends we get to meet every day through sewing.

Belkiza Cuculj

participant of CREATResili

format_quoteMy work explores the relationship between the female body and trauma processing, inspired by my Transylvanian roots, rural culture, and folk art. The residency program provides invaluable experience in applying my expertise to social design, merging artistic exploration with community-focused solutions in a deeply meaningful way.

Annamária Kmetyó

creative mind, participating CREATResili Residency Program

Related news

6/11/2025

CREATResili Collection Launch: Fashion as a Force for Resilience

How co-creation, solidarity, and storytelling are transforming lives in Kosovo

1/23/2025

Empowering Women, Building Resilience: Meet the CREATResili Changemakers

Spotlighting inspiring stories of resilience, creativity, and empowerment from the CREATResili team.

10/4/2024

"Financial independence is the key to women’s empowerment and protection" - Alba Cikaqi, Jahjaga Foundation on CREATResili

The CREATResili project, co-funded by the Creative Europe program, aims to support abused women in Kosovo through social design tools, enabling them to achieve financial independence. In this interview, Alba Cikaqi from the Jahjaga Foundation highlights key challenges faced by women in Kosovo, including low employment rates, financial dependency, and domestic violence. She explains how CREATResili, through skill-building workshops, is providing a pathway for these women to overcome these obstacles and improve their lives. The project symbolizes the importance of cross-sector collaboration in driving meaningful change.

CREATResili on IG

View post on Instagram

Would you like to stay up to date with CREATResili?

For the latest news and updates, be sure to follow us on social media! The project has its own IG profile and an X profile for the international community!

F.A.Q. on CREATResili

What is CREATResili and who is it aimed at?

Why are women in Kosovo vulnerable, what does it mean to be a marginalised community?

What is social design and how is it used in the CREATResili project?

How long will the programme last and how will it be structured?

What kind of support will the Kosovan women receive?

Who are the key members of the consortium supporting the project, and what roles do they play in its implementation?

What has happened so far?

Disclaimer

CREATResili

F.A.Q. on CREATResili

Related news

CREATResili Collection Launch: Fashion as a Force for Resilience

Empowering Women, Building Resilience: Meet the CREATResili Changemakers

"Financial independence is the key to women’s empowerment and protection" - Alba Cikaqi, Jahjaga Foundation on CREATResili

CREATResili on IG

Would you like to stay up to date with CREATResili?

About Hungary Helps Program

F.A.Q. on CREATResili

CREATResili on IG

Related news

CREATResili Collection Launch: Fashion as a Force for Resilience

Empowering Women, Building Resilience: Meet the CREATResili Changemakers

"Financial independence is the key to women’s empowerment and protection" - Alba Cikaqi, Jahjaga Foundation on CREATResili