“Winter is coming soon; we have to be prepared.” With these words, a 77-year-old grandmother selected a pair of boots for her grandchildren from the Free Shop in Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje, a community initiative where donated clothes, household items and other essentials are offered free of charge to people who need them.
A mother of seven, and grandmother of 36, she regularly visits the centre to look for items that may help her children and grandchildren. During her latest visit, she also learned about educational opportunities for elderly people and women who did not have the chance to attend school and now want to learn how to read and write.
Her story reflects the wider purpose of the Free Shop: it is not only a place where items are exchanged, but also a space where people share resources, connect with one another and discover new opportunities.
Supported by UNMIK and implemented by The Ideas Partnership, the Free Shop recently marked its first anniversary. Since opening on 1 August 2025, it has provided clothes, household appliances, blankets, bedding, hygiene products, baby supplies and other essential items to thousands of people.
At a time when rising prices are placing increasing pressure on household budgets, the Free Shop is making a tangible difference and support for families facing financial hardship by offering quality second-hand goods at no cost.
The initiative began with Elizabeth Gowing, co-founder of The Ideas Partnership, who was inspired by the concept of a circular economy, an approach that encourages people to reuse, repair and recycle items instead of throwing them away.
“The Free Shop brings together two important goals: reducing waste by giving useful items a second life and making sure they reach people who need them. With greater support from local businesses, we could continue serving families with more certainty.” said Elizabeth.
Giving products a second life does more than reduce waste. It also helps conserve the raw materials, water and energy required to manufacture and transport new goods. By reusing and donating items, we can reduce our environmental footprint, support more sustainable consumption, and contribute to climate action in the face of rising temperatures, extreme weathers, and other climate-related challenges.
The community response was immediate. In the first three months alone, more than 2,600 people received support. On the day of our visit, about 80 people visited the shop. Although the items are provided free of charge, keeping the Free Shop running requires significant effort.
Mirlinda Gërguri of The Ideas Partnership explained that every donation must be received, registered, sorted, organised and displayed. Transportation is also needed to collect donated goods and, where necessary, deliver items directly to families requiring additional support.
“When donations arrive, we are very happy because we know how important they are for the community,” Mirlinda said. “It means we can continue for another day, or several more days.”
However, ensuring there are enough quality supplies for each opening remains a constant concern.
Elizabeth highlighted that stronger involvement from local businesses could help secure the initiative’s future. Such contributions reflect corporate social responsibility, demonstrating solidarity with communities and showing how businesses can create positive social and environmental impact.
With the new school year approaching, the Free Shop is currently collecting school bags, notebooks, stationery, clothes and other children’s items. Something that is no longer needed by one family may make a significant difference to another child preparing to return to school.
The message behind the Free Shop is simple: before throwing something away, consider whether it could still be useful to someone else.
A donated blanket can make a home warmer. A pair of boots can prepare a child for winter. A school bag can help a pupil begin the school year with confidence.
If you have disused items that can be repurposed - or are in need - the Free Shop is located in Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje and is open every Wednesday from 11:00 – 13:00 and Friday, from 13:00 to 15:00.
