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World Café Albania “Claiming Back our civic space” | 5 June 2023

As part of the preparations for the National Conference for Albania with the topic “Claiming Back our civic space” IDM Albania in the premises of Cooperating Partner for Core Grants Qëndresa Qytetare brought together a group of activists, CSO representatives, students, young people, and journalists, to discuss the shrinking of the civic space in Albania. The discussion was focused on how we can build a common action platform for empowering each other, increasing synergy, and expanding opportunities for citizen participation in decision-making processes, to protect the public interest.

This was a very useful meeting, and we received important imputes regarding the priorities and challenges of civic space in Albania, which we will further discuss during the National Conference on June 15, 2023.

We will publish more details about the National Conference in Albania soon, but we take the opportunity to invite you to SAVE THE DATE June 15, 2023 and to join us on a valuable discussion for claiming back our civic space.

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Mural Fest Kosova

Summary of the project

The project aims to adapt to the needs and limitations of the Ferizaj region, taking into account consultations with stakeholders, enhancing citizen influence, and raising awareness about the importance of active participation of civil society in the developments of the Western Balkans region. Through artistic activities, Mural Fest Kosovo promotes the power of art to unite people and raise their awareness about important issues, contributing to improving governance and creating a stronger, more sustainable, and more active society.

Project goals

The goal of the project is to improve governance and create a stronger, more sustainable, and more active society in the city of Ferizaj. Through ongoing communication with relevant institutions and the involvement of stakeholders, the project aims to coordinate interventions in public spaces in accordance with the needs and limitations of the area.

Target groups and beneficiaries

Young people aged 15-25 years old;

Marginalized youth groups;

Over 100,000 residents of Ferizaj;

Civil society activists;

Representatives from institutions and political representatives.

Main activities

Preparatory phase;

Artistic intervention in public;

Creation of the mural;

Publication of the documentary.

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Anibar

Summary of the project

The project aims to organize an international animation festival in Kosovo, specifically in the city of Peja. It includes among others the screening of 250 animated films, engaging over 15,000 participants in the festival, developing three animation scripts and Animation Academy. The project addresses the challenges faced by the cultural and artistic sector in Kosovo by promoting animation, culture, and art as means of civic activism. It also aims to enhance skills, production opportunities, and cultural exchanges.

 

Project goals

The goal of the project is to utilize culture and film to increase societal awareness and develop capacities for using film as an educational tool, raise attention to social and human rights issues through animation and the festival platform, improve artistic development, empower youth and the community for artistic interventions in social change in Kosovo, and establish networking with the animated film industry in Kosovo and neighboring countries.

Target groups and beneficiaries

Young artists and animators in Kosovo;

Cinematic audience in Kosovo;

Professional artists from the region;

Local communities and municipalities.

Main activities

The International Animation Festival Anibar;

Pitching Program.

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ProActive

Summary of the project

The project aims to address the issue of youth passivity in the municipality of Kamenica and the lack of involvement of local governance in public communication by empowering a group of young people from this community in the field of local governance and the monitoring of key institutions’ work. The selected group will be balanced in terms of gender and territorial representation, and will promote transparency and accountability in local governance for the benefit of the citizens.

The goal of the project is to raise awareness among young people about the local governance system of Kamenica and to increase transparency and accountability of local governance through proper information dissemination to the local community. Through youth engagement activities, the goal is to enhance their awareness of the functioning of local institutions and encourage them to get involved and have an impact on decision-making processes. Additionally, the project aims to inform the local community about current developments and create an open and fair channel of communication between local governance and citizens.

 

Target groups and beneficiaries

The youth aged 18-24;

Officials of the Municipality of Kamenica (mayor, directors, civil servants);

Citizens of the Municipality of Kamenica.

 

Main activities

Monitoring of sessions of the Municipal Assembly;

Production of thematic content related to local governance.

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Udruzennje mladih – Mlada aktivna Gracanica

Summary of the project

The project aims to address the problem of illegal dumping sites in central municipalities of Kosovo. It seeks to mitigate the negative effects of these sites on the local community and the environment by raising awareness among citizens about environmental preservation and encouraging their active involvement in resolving the issue. The project intends to achieve its goals through awareness campaigns, education on sustainable waste management, and citizen participation in waste collection and reporting. It also recognizes the impact of climate change on the environment and social cohesion. The project primarily focuses on municipalities like Gračanica, Kosovo Polje, Obilić, and Pristina, where illegal dumping has significant consequences.

 

The goal of the project is to reduce illegal dumping sites, raise awareness about sustainable waste management, and promote collaboration among communities. It involves engaging influencers, civil society organizations, and public institutions in awareness campaigns and organizing discussions, workshops, and debates.  preservation.

Target groups and beneficiaries

Citizens of municipalities;

Civil society organizations;

Public institutions;

Youth from different ethnic communities.

 

Main activities

Promotional campaign;

Organization of roundtable discussions and debates.

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Sundimi i Demokracise ne Kosove

Summary of the project

The project aims to address the issues of weak youth participation in local decision-making processes. Despite slow progress, municipalities have not developed sustainable youth mechanisms and have not involved young people in the development and implementation of policies for them. There continues to be a gap between dedicated youth structures and financial resources and the planning of activities in collaboration with young people. This project aims to use the “Community Scorecard” model to engage youth structures and municipal authorities in meaningful dialogue and to contribute to the development of better youth policies at the local level.

Project goals

The goal of the project is to involve relevant stakeholders at the local level, utilizing the “Community Scorecard” model, such as municipal authorities, civil society organizations, youth clubs, student councils, students, and others, in the assessment and development of local youth policies.

 

Target groups and beneficiaries

The youth from the Municipality of Podujevo, including youth organizations and various youth clubs, as well as the municipal authorities, specifically the youth sector.

Main activities

Sensitization and mobilization of stakeholders for participation in the “Community Scorecard”;

Initiation workshop for the “Community Scorecard”;

Formation of focus groups with young people and municipal authorities;

Conducting initial meetings with Youth Focus Groups;

Conducting the first meeting with the Municipal Authorities’ Focus Group;

Researching findings from the initial focus groups;

Identification of issues/indicators and preparation of Evaluation Matrices;

Conducting second meetings with youth focus groups and municipal authorities;

Processing the evaluations from the focus groups (drawing the final score);

Interface Meeting;

Action Plan development workshop;

Finalization of the Youth Action Plan.

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Green Art Center- Prishtina

Summary of the project

The project aims to educate society in the field of media as a guarantee for preserving peace, preventing threats to security, and enhancing social cohesion, taking into account media challenges such as disinformation and propaganda. In the context of the Municipality of Obiliq, a multi-ethnic municipality in Kosovo, the project aims to address the impact of disinformation on interethnic harmony and security.

Project goals

The goal of the project is to provide information and develop the media competencies of young people, addressing the challenges of disinformation as threats to security, peace, and social cohesion. Additionally, the project includes the distribution of educational and awareness-raising materials such as videos to the residents of the Municipality of Obiliq.

Target groups and beneficiaries

Individuals aged 16 and above;

Students of political science, journalism, and mass communication.

 

Main activities

Informing municipal officials, Youth Centers, and NGOs operating in the Municipality of Obiliq;

Announcing the public call for participation in the project and selection process;

Organizing 2 focus groups;

Conducting a workshop on media education;

Panel discussion on the impact of disinformation as a threat to security and peace in the Municipality of Obiliq, involving participants, the mayor, journalists, police officials, and representatives from KFOR and EULEX;

Workshop for creating videos with educational and awareness-raising content on the importance of media education;

Development of an online brochure on the importance of media education;

Displaying videos on municipal websites, media platforms, and organization’s platforms;

Distributing brochures to primary and secondary schools in the Municipality of Obiliq;

Closing meeting.

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NGO Community Building Mitrovica – C.B.M

Summary of the project

The project aims to educate children in Kosovo about human trafficking, based on data on the current situation in the country, and to increase awareness among young generations, particularly in the Mitrovica region, where the ethnic composition of the groups tends to make them more vulnerable to traffickers. Reports indicate that the majority of victims are women and vulnerable communities, such as Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities.

 

Project goals

The goal of the project is to enhance regional response to human trafficking and efforts to combat it, as well as to increase awareness among young people about the risks and realities of human trafficking. This will be achieved through the implementation of a curriculum against human trafficking in schools in the Mitrovica region of Kosovo and the development of workshops.

 

Target groups and beneficiaries

Youth of Kosovo.

Main activities

Workshops on Civic Education for Youth;

Measures against Human Trafficking for Municipal Officials and Law Enforcement Agencies;

Final Report and Educational Materials.

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THE BALKAN FORUM

Summary of the project

The project aims to address the growing threats of misinformation in modern society, raise awareness among citizens, particularly young people, about identifying false information, promote collaboration among civil society organizations, media, government, and other actors to combat disinformation and ensure the spread of reliable and accurate information. The project aims to protect security and stability in Kosovo and the Western Balkans by preventing political and ethnic tensions caused by false narratives, building trust in institutions and media, and improving decision-making skills and mental well-being of citizens, especially young people.

Project goals

The goal of the project is to empower young people to become true agents of change.

Target groups and beneficiaries

20 young people, aged 18-25;

200 young people from universities/organizations/youth centers;

Communities around young people and the general audience.

Identification of universities/organizations/youth centers and selection of 20 future ‘Media Smart Ambassadors’;

 

Main activities

Identification of existing knowledge on misinformation;

One-day media literacy training and visit to media outlets;

One-day workshop, group division, and mentoring;

Production of vlogs;

Increasing awareness among universities/organizations/youth centers;

Final event for vlog presentation;

Promotion and advocacy for the need to invest in media literacy education

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Advocacy Center for Democratic Culture

Summary of the project

The project aims to address the challenges of natural disasters in Kosovo, particularly in North Mitrovica. It emphasizes the need for a systematic approach and the involvement of all sectors of society to effectively respond to and reduce the causes of disasters. The project will establish an awareness-raising team, organize focus groups and capacity development workshops, implement a public campaign, hold meetings with local institutions, and develop a local plan for disaster risk reduction. By promoting collaboration and awareness, the project seeks to enhance preparedness and resilience while fostering sustainable partnerships for long-term impact and replication of results across the region.

The goal of the project is to raise awareness of disaster risks, climate change, and promote social cohesion among community members to ensure long-term results and improve the influence on decision-making processes.

Target groups and beneficiaries

Community members in North Mitrovica;

Non-governmental organizations;

Local institutions and decision-makers:

Representatives for climate change;

Women and marginalized populations.

 

Main activities

Establishment of an awareness-raising team for natural disaster risk reduction;

Organization of 4 focus groups for the disaster risk reduction team;

Conducting capacity development workshops;

Development and implementation of a public campaign;

Arranging meetings with representatives of local institutions;

Creation of a local plan for natural disaster risk reduction.