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FOSTERING CONFIDENCE

UNLOCKING POTENTIAL

 

ENGAGING EVERYONE IN OUTDOOR SPORTS

DARE TO DREAM

Champions of green life, sport and inclusion

When we dream big and chase our aspirations with all our might, we pave the road to becoming a country of prosperity and rapid development. Together, we cultivate the desire to bring a revolutionary shift that leaves a lasting impact on people’s lives and the sustainability of our land.

FOUNDATION

Our foundation gathers the visionary, the dreamers, and the ambitious who do not hesitate to embark on a journey filled with audacious goals and steadfast commitment, where the fabric of our country transforms into a flourishing scene of progress in wellness, lifestyle, sports, environment, and social inclusion.

We envisage a future of positive transformation—an effect that reverberates in the lives of individuals and ripples throughout the entire country as we stand united in our pursuit of this mission coming true.

FOUNDER

Utalaya Foundation, founded by the trailblazing climber Uta Ibrahimi, stands as a beacon of inspiration. Through her compelling example, Uta ignites a passion in individuals, athletes, and particularly women.

Uta is the first Albanian woman to conquer nearly all 14 Himalayan peaks, and she holds the prestigious title of Sustainable Development Champion bestowed by the United Nations. Recognized with multiple awards in mountain tourism and mountaineering, she established the foundation to unite like-minded individuals, organizations, and businesses into aligning their ambitions with our organizational values.

To learn more about Uta’s journey as an alpinist go to her personal blog utalaya.com.

Uta Ibrahimi also established one of the first outdoor adventure companies in 2016,  called Butterfly Outdoor Adventure.

HISTORY

Having conquered the towering pinnacle of the world, Mount Everest, standing at a breathtaking 8,516 meters, in 2017, Uta found herself imbued with an unquenchable inspiration. Fueled by the triumphant ascent of Everest, she resolved to extend her odyssey, vowing to scale all 14 majestic peaks of the Himalayas.

So, in 2020, the genesis of our foundation sprang forth from the imperative to champion Uta Ibrahimi in her extraordinary quest to conquer the 14 peaks of the Himalayas, an ambitious endeavor to etch her name as the first woman from the Balkans to achieve this remarkable feat within a mere 3 years. In doing so, she not only redefines the limits of human potential but also advocates for Kosovo in the realms of both sports and gender equality.

Our focus extends to embracing individuals who crave assistance, offering them unparalleled opportunities for engagement in sports, fostering responsible activities in nature, and fortifying capacities for mountain tourism. In essence, we spearhead projects aligned with the profound goals of sustainable development, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities we serve.

Empowerment

Educational, practical and emotional support, as well as opportunities for networking, mentoring, access to resources, engagement and advocacy, targeting women and vulnerable groups.

Training and Certification

By informal education and project-engaged mentors we train participants in mountaineering, outdoor sports, guide certification, biodiversity identification and conservation practices.

Inclusion

Our projects always focus on the engagement of all communities in Kosovo in our activities and always apply an equal ratio in the engagement of individuals in terms of gender, ethnicity, religion, orientation or region.

Awareness

Elevating awareness through campaigns and activities is at the core of our projects. We focus on instilling a sense of responsibility for nature and national parks, fostering multi-ethnic tolerance, promoting sports, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle

REVIEWS FROM DONORS/CO-PARTNERS

“It was a pleasure to work with the Utalaya Foundation on the RUN FOR SHARR project. Their excellent execution of carefully thought out concepts not only achieved the required objectives, but also produced the vital awareness and sustainability we sought, making our partnership a joyful and strategic fulfillment of shared missions.”

Krenare SalihuCEO of Ecopana - representative office of WWF ADRIA in Kosovo

“What I love about working with Utalaya Foundation is their unique approach, always coming up with impactful ideas and executing projects with meticulous adherence to procedures and deadlines, as well as their genuine love for nature and people. Their dedication always results in transformative results that make a real difference, to partners, target groups and the systems involved.”

Shpend QamiliUnited Nations Officer, Programme Communications, Advocacy and Outreach

“UNICEF in Kosovo has collaborated with Uta e Maleve (Utalaya) and the team to reach more children, especially girls, in rural areas, encouraging them to challenge themselves in areas they never thought they would engage in. Hundreds of packages of books and materials were distributed, thus reaching families where an initiative like Uta's was perhaps unimaginable. In terms of cooperation, Uta e Maleve and the team were professional, they worked with others according to needs and requirements, but they also did not hesitate to give ideas and guide what we can achieve together for the children of Kosovo!”

Dafina Zuna HoxhaUnicef Kosovo, Communication and Partnership Office

“Utalaya Foundation has shown extraordinary responsibility in the activities supported by PPSE and at the same time is an exemplary model for women operating in the field of tourism.”

Blerina Batusha XërxaHead of the Tourism Sector at Swisscontact