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During the fall 2025 local elections in Kosovo, PLAY International launched a powerful civic campaign under the banner “Zotohem për Lojë” (“I Commit to Play”), inviting mayoral candidates to publicly commit to building more inclusive and equal communities through sport.
Recognizing the power of sport to promote education, well-being, and social inclusion, the campaign offered candidates a five-point pre-election pledge focused on using sport for development as a tool for lasting community change.
Over the course of the campaign, nearly 20 mayoral candidates from Kosovo’s seven main municipalities stepped forward and signed the commitment. Each one pledged that, if elected, they would prioritize inclusive sport-based policies in their municipal agendas.
This initiative was not only a call for action, but it was also a statement of values. Through this campaign, PLAY International aimed to elevate sport as a tool for social justice, particularly in communities where discrimination, exclusion, and inequality still limit the full participation of youth.
Each candidate pledged to uphold and promote the following five priorities:
1. Inclusive Education Through Sport
Candidates committed to:
• Integrating play- and sport-based methodologies into schools.
• Supporting teachers and community educators in using soft-skills-oriented tools.
• Encouraging participation from all children regardless of gender, ability, or background.
2. Child Protection and Equal Opportunities
Signatories pledged to:
• Promote non-discrimination standards in all youth services.
• Collaborate with schools and civil society to ensure children are protected and included.
• Support inclusive participation across ethnic, cultural, and social groups.
3. Accessible Sports Infrastructure for All
Candidates agreed to:
• Prioritize investments in safe and inclusive public sports spaces—especially in schools and neighborhoods.
• Involve community members in identifying needs and designing inclusive, gender-sensitive, and accessible spaces.
• Promote healthy lifestyles and inclusive sports use of public spaces.
4. Gender Equality Through Sport
Signatories pledged to:
• Expand girls’ participation in municipal sports programs.
• Promote women’s leadership and visibility in public life through sport.
• Address barriers to access and promote equal opportunities for girls and women in sport.
5. Youth Leadership and Civic Engagement
Finally, candidates committed to:
• Creating more opportunities for youth to engage in civic life through sport.
• Supporting initiatives where young people lead inclusive, educational, and community-focused activities.
• Promoting youth-led sports programming that strengthens social bonds and addresses discrimination.
In a time when civic trust and youth participation are often low, this campaign shows that sport can be a bridge between elected officials and the citizens they serve—especially young people.
By encouraging candidates to publicly support such values, the campaign not only informed the public, but it also laid the groundwork for stronger partnerships between civil society and municipal governments in the years ahead.
PLAY International will continue working with elected mayors who signed the declaration to ensure their commitments translate into real, measurable change, from inclusive sports programs in schools to safe, community-driven public spaces.
We thank all the candidates who signed, and we invite supporters, educators, and community members to keep the momentum going.
