JRS Kosovo Statement on World Refugee Day 2026

On the occasion of World Refugee Day, and at a time when the European Union Pact on Migration and Asylum begins to shape migration policies across the region, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Kosovo stands in solidarity with refugees, asylum seekers, and all people forced to leave their homes in search of safety and a chance to rebuild their lives with dignity.

Through our daily presence and accompaniment of refugees and migrants in Kosovo, we see both the resilience people carry and the many challenges they continue to face. We recognize the importance of well-functioning migration and asylum systems. At the same time, we believe that policies and procedures must remain rooted in respect for human dignity, protection, and shared responsibility.

Although Kosovo is not directly bound by the EU Pact, its implementation will inevitably influence migration governance across the region, including countries working to align their systems with European standards. As Kosovo continues efforts to strengthen its asylum and integration framework, it is important that these developments remain guided by protection, inclusion, and the realities faced by people seeking safety.

Migration policies cannot be shaped only through the lens of border management or efficiency. When protection becomes secondary, people risk being left in situations of prolonged uncertainty and vulnerability.

From our daily presence in reception and accommodation centers, and through our work with persons with international protection, we continue to encounter barriers that make integration difficult. These include:

• Limited access to sustainable housing and long-term integration support;
• Barriers to employment, education, and recognition of qualifications and skills;
• Gaps in psychosocial and legal support, particularly for vulnerable individuals and families;
• Administrative and institutional challenges that can prolong uncertainty and social exclusion.

At the same time, we acknowledge the efforts of Kosovo institutions to strengthen the legal and institutional framework for integration and protection. Continued dialogue between institutions, civil society, and local communities remains essential to ensure that policies respond to real needs and uphold the dignity and rights of every person. Ongoing discussions to strengthen the regulatory framework for the integration of foreigners offer an important opportunity to build more sustainable and inclusive approaches.

On this World Refugee Day, JRS Kosovo calls for:

1. Migration and asylum policies that place human dignity and protection at their center, ensuring fair procedures and dignified reception conditions.
2. Greater investment in integration, particularly in access to housing, language learning, employment opportunities, psychosocial support, and community participation.
3. Stronger cooperation between institutions, municipalities, civil society, and refugee communities, so that responses are informed by lived realities and local experience.
4. Greater solidarity and understanding, recognizing refugees not simply as people in need, but as individuals with strengths, aspirations, and the capacity to contribute to society.

At JRS Kosovo, we remain committed to accompanying, serving, and advocating for those forced to flee. We believe that a society becomes stronger when dignity, hospitality, and inclusion are extended to all.

Hope knows no borders. Hospitality begins with us.