BONEVET (Albanian word for DO IT YOURSELF) is a non-profit and non-formal educational institution established in 2014 by the private Foundation UNE E DU KOSOVEN based in Prishtina.
The child’s mind is the most powerful learning machine that we are aware of. Every child is born with natural talents and abilities. They have immense capacity for learning (great brain capacity), they possess independent learning skills (educative instinct), they love learning (natural curiosity), their brains grow as they struggle and make failures (growing intelligence).
But, recent studies have provided evidence that whatever the natural capacities, it is the environment and the culture in which children grow up in, that has a deep influence on how they develop.

BONEVET is a children-friendly environment designed to stimulate children’s curiosity, imagination and creativity. Children are encouraged to actively play, make their own games, work together with other children, program robots, make prototypes with 3D-printers and CNC’s, solve riddles and puzzles, design and make puppet theatre’s, understand the importance of values, develop their communication skills, read books and learn languages.

“Imagination is the source of all human achievement and creativity is the greatest gift of human intelligence.” Sir Ken Robinson

WHEN DID WE BEGIN?

The first BONEVET was founded in Gjakova in 2014, a city that was severely damaged during the last conflict. Only during the year 2017 more than 500 children have attended various classes and in excess of 50 makers, girls and boys, have gained technical and soft-skills in various hands-on projects.

Our project-based learning approach enables young people to gain team-working and management skills, as well as self-confidence and perseverance during the design and realization of seemingly unachievable projects. Last year 6 teenage-makers, 3 girls and 3 boys, have managed to convert a fuel-engine-vehicle into an electric-vehicle, a flagship project, which generated large waves of motivation for all young children in Kosovo.

BONEVET has made an important positive impact within the community of Gjakova, and it continues to give hope to the community that was left to itself after the conflict, because many educated and skilled people left home to look for jobs elsewhere.

Following the example of Gjakova a second Maker-Kids/Make-Space BONEVET was founded in Prishtina in 2017. In year 2018 more than 700 children are expected to attend various classes in robotics, science, mathematics, electronics, mechanics (CNC and 3D-printing), chess, arts and languages.

Until June 2018, more than 2’000 children and young people have attended classes and/or workshops at BONEVET in Gjakova and Prishtina. More than 70 makers have gained various technical and non-technical skills. We employ more than 35 members of staff and mentors.

WHERE ARE WE HEADING?

“Our vision is to build a sustainable network of learning and training environments, based on the model of BONEVET, in the major centres and rural places throughout Kosovo. We believe that building a new generation of productive problem-solvers, critical thinkers, creative and technically skilled young people with an entrepreneurial spirit and a growing mind-set will represent a strong foundation for the future development of our society.” (Vllaznim Xhiha)

We want our young generations to be prepared and equipped with the indispensable skills and knowledge to cope with the 21st century changes and challenges. We support them in selecting and building their careers to become tomorrows qualified and diligent working force, creative and bold entrepreneurs that will increase youth employment, and a new generation of leaders that will organize our social, political and economic institutions with competence and straightness to make Kosovo a better place to live.

Our wonderful children, are capable of illuminating their future and we should take pride in this invaluable energy and skills
potential, and support them with greater responsibility. It gives us reason for more optimism, more confidence and with
some more personal engagement of every citizen of KOSOVO, we stand a good chance to build a country with a brighter social economic future.