Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation is a five-year activity that addresses Kosovo’s reconciliation needs by promoting cooperation and peaceful co-existence between diverse ethnic groups. This activity strengthens the relationship between Kosovo Albanian and Kosovo Serb communities by bringing people together to address patterns of prejudice that reinforce perceived differences. By doing so, this activity contributes to USAID’s overall goal of increasing citizens’ contributions to democratic and economic growth.
Activities
- Building trust among Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs by establishing Cohesion Circles, which are groups of volunteer activists committed to strengthening inter-ethnic dialogue, collaboration, and coordination.
- Supporting the production of educational content that promotes multiculturalism by addressing ethnic narratives of the past conflict.
- Enhancing the role of media in the area of inter-ethnic relations by strengthening their capacity to promote positive inter-ethnic stories of reconciliation, identify hate speech, and involve citizens in news generation.
- Advocating for reconciliation policy and program solutions across all levels of government through the development of a multi-ethnic think tank, strengthening research capacity, and building conflict resolution expertise.
Key Results to Date
- Reached over 12,300 people with positive reconciliation messages on social media and actively engaged 375 youth through reconciliation events.
- Established multi-ethnic Cohesion Circles in Mitrovica, Pristina, and Gjilan, which implemented 15 activities that increased social cohesion between Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs.
- Facilitated 12 storytelling events featuring Kosovo Albanian and Kosovo Serb testimonials of overcoming false narratives, cooperation, and friendship.
- Established the Reconciliation Research Institute (RRI), a multi-ethnic think tank that produces policy documents on reconciliation and conflict resolution in Kosovo, while engaging with institutions to discuss their research findings and develop joint actions.
- Created the Alternative Peace Education Curriculum, which the Ministry of Education permitted and green-lighted for use in elementary and high-schools in Kosovo.
Additional Information
PROJECT FUNDING
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID/Kosovo)
PROJECT DURATION
August 2020-August 2025
IMPLEMENTING PARTNER
Community Building Mitrovica
TOTAL FUNDING
$1,199,808
KEY COUNTERPARTS
New Social Initiative (NSI), Youth Initiative for Human Rights-Kosovo (YIHR KS), Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Communities and Returns, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, President’s Office, Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Local Government Administration
WHERE WE WORK
Gjilan/Gnjilane, Leposavic/Leposaviq, Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, Peja/Pec, Prishtina/Pristina, Prizren, Skenderaj/Srbica, Zubin Potok, Zvecan/Zvecan, Vushtrri/Vucitrn
CONTACT
Marina Dimitrijevic, Project Management Specialist
Community Building Mitrovica for USAIDKosovo