IDM Albania - SMART Balkans

Why Kosovo institutions must urgently enhance the security of its waters?

In recent years, threats to critical infrastructure, particularly in the water sector, have grown due to global risks and increased digitalization. In response, the Government of Kosovo, in partnership with relevant stakeholders, has focused on enhancing resilience in this area. Despite having legislative frameworks like the Water Law and the Law on Critical Infrastructure, Kosovo faces gaps in implementation and challenges in aligning with EU standards, particularly the EU Water Framework Directive.

The main issues with the implementation of the Law on Critical Infrastructure stem from delays in establishing enforcement mechanisms by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), as well as the need for legislative amendments to align with EU regulations. The water sector, while governed by both the Law on Critical Infrastructure and the Law on Waters, faces difficulties in fully complying with EU rules, especially regarding integrated water management and environmental protection.

Kosovo’s water infrastructure, including supply systems, treatment facilities, and flood management, faces considerable challenges. These include outdated infrastructure, water resource scarcity due to geographical characteristics, and pressures from urbanization, agriculture, and climate change. Despite investments in maintaining existing capacities, there has been a lack of strategic investment in water resilience, and the governance of water infrastructure remains fragmented and poorly coordinated.

Climate change has exacerbated these issues, with prolonged droughts followed by heavy rains, leading to floods and exposing weaknesses in the canalization systems. Water pollution and quality remain ongoing concerns. Moreover, the threat of malicious attacks on infrastructure is rising, with incidents like the November 2024 attack on the Ibër-Lepenc Water Channels highlighting vulnerabilities. These attacks, though not classified as international terrorism, raise concerns about possible Serbian involvement, especially with connections to political figures in Serbia.

This situation underscores the risks of state-sponsored terrorism and the potential destabilization of the Western Balkans, with Russia’s influence adding further complexity. To mitigate these risks, Kosovo must urgently update its legislation, improve infrastructure, strengthen institutional frameworks, and align with EU standards. Strategic investments, coordinated efforts, and international cooperation are essential for building resilient and sustainable water infrastructure, which will support Kosovo’s EU aspirations and benefit its population and environment.

Read the full article here: Why Kosovo institutions must urgently enhance the security of its waters?

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In Divided Kosovo, Some Albanians and Serbs Do Come Together – at Work

In Kosovo, deep ethnic divisions between Albanians and Serbs persist, especially after the war. Yet, some individuals have found common ground in the workplace.

One example is Mentor Gashi, a Kosovo Albanian who runs a dog shelter in the village of Llapllasella. Despite ongoing community tensions, he has worked alongside Slavisa Stojanovic, a Serb, for over 12 years. Their professional relationship began when Slavisa, struggling with unemployment and financial difficulties, reached out to Mentor after one of Mentor’s dogs killed Slavisa’s rabbits. Over time, the two men developed a bond built on respect, humor, and a shared commitment to animal welfare, often supporting each other in times of illness or hardship.

Similarly, in the town of Gracanica, an ethnically mixed market, Albanians and Serbs work together without major conflict. Dritan, an Albanian security guard, and Zoran, a Serbian colleague, collaborate daily in a harmonious work environment despite occasional provocations from customers. Both men agree that political tensions are often the root cause of division, not personal animosity. They believe that, at the grassroots level, ordinary people can live and work together peacefully.

Despite the challenges posed by a divided education system, which deepens misunderstandings between the two groups, there is hope for greater collaboration. Activists like Bjeshka Guri from the Youth Initiative for Human Rights argue that informal interactions, such as workplace cooperation, can help foster lasting peace. She calls for a more sensitive approach from political leaders and educational institutions to bridge these gaps.

These stories illustrate how shared experiences and mutual respect in the workplace can offer a path forward for Kosovo’s divided communities, even amidst ongoing political and ethnic tensions.

Read the article here: https://balkaninsight.com/2024/12/26/in-divided-kosovo-some-albanians-and-serbs-do-come-together-at-work/

Beyond Numbers: Addressing the Gender Gap in Albanian Municipal Councils (Post-Quota)

The study “Political Representation in Municipal Councils After the Implementation of the 50/50 Gender Quota”, published by our cooperation partner, the Albanian Women Empowerment Network (AWEN), sheds light on gender equality in municipal councils, beyond just numerical achievements.

This report investigates the effects of Albania’s 50% gender quota in municipal councils. Following its introduction in 2015, women’s representation in councils tripled, reaching almost 50% by 2023, making Albania a leader in women’s local political representation in Europe. Despite numerical equality, the study reveals significant gender gaps in participation and voice.

Women spoke less frequently and were interrupted 2.5 times more than men during council meetings. Moreover, their involvement in discussions on governance, law enforcement, and transparency declined compared to earlier years, signaling persistent structural and cultural challenges.

These findings suggest that while gender quotas improve numeric representation, they do not automatically translate to substantive equality. Enhanced measures are needed to ensure women’s voices and contributions are equally valued and impactful in political decision-making processes.

Download here:

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PËRFAQËSIMI POLITIK NË KËSHILLAT BASHKIAKE

United for Volunteerism at the conference “Volunteer of the Year”

15 changemakers from 100 nominations were honored at the Volunteer of the Year Awards Ceremony, demonstrating the active citizenship in Kosovo.

The Volunteerism of the Year Awards is a new initiative implemented by our partner TOKA—with the support of 50 stakeholders from local and international communities—aiming to recognize, promote, and expand participation in volunteerism.

At this year’s ceremony, 8 winners and 7 honorable mentions were awarded for their u contributions in the following categories:

The Most Courageous Volunteer of the Year – awarded to Gazmend Hasani, with Honorable Mentions for Filloreta Hoti and Vali Ibrahimi.
The Most Creative Volunteer of the Year – awarded to Dion Istrefi, with an Honorable Mention for Kimete Arifaj.
Volunteer of the Year – awarded to Violë Maksuti, with Honorable Mentions for Rea Gojani and Eronita Krasniqi.
The Most Supportive Business of the Year – awarded to Kutia, with an Honorable Mention recognition for Meridian Express.
The Most Supportive Municipality of the Year – awarded to the Municipality of Hani i Elezit.
The Most Supportive Diaspora Ambassador of the Year – awarded to Bujar Neziri.
The Most Supportive Public Figure of the Year – awarded to Donika Shahini-Lami, with an Honorable Mention for Pajtim Husaj.

Together, in a room filled with 175 community leaders, TOKA celebrated and acknowledged the tireless dedication and efforts of individuals committed to the improvement and development of their communities.

Among them were young volunteers, representatives from international and local institutions, business owners, diaspora members, and public figures.

Tirana Think Tank Forum 2024

“Think Tanks in the Time of Hybrid Regimes – Challenges to Impact, Integrity, and Independence”

13–15 November 2024, Tirana

The Tirana Think Tank Forum 2024 was more than just an exchange of ideas; it fostered meaningful connections, explored innovative solutions, and reinforced the collective mission of think tanks to uphold democratic principles. With 30 distinguished panelists and over 100 participants from across the Western Balkans and EU, the forum provided a unique platform for collaboration and dialogue.

Two-Part Structure

The forum featured two complementary components:

Closed-Door Sessions: Designed to provide a safe and informal space for think tank representatives to delve into the challenges and opportunities they face in their daily work.
Public Sessions: Open to a diverse group of stakeholders, these sessions facilitated dynamic discussions on the critical role of think tanks in hybrid regimes and their broader impact.

Day One: Breaking Barriers and Setting the Stage

The event opened with a welcoming session by Gjergji Vurmo, Senior Advisor at IDM Albania, and Dajana Cvjetkovic, Project Manager of SMART Balkans, who outlined the forum’s vision and objectives.

The interactive session “Speed Date & Think Tanks’ Problem Box” helped participants identify and categorize key internal and external challenges affecting their organizations. These insights set the stage for the “Spell & Work It Out” panel, moderated by Agron Demi, which tackled pressing issues such as funding, staff retention, AI adaptation, and organizational resilience.

Day Two: Building Bridges with Donors and Policymakers

The second day facilitated dialogue between think tanks and donors, emphasizing the need for qualitative fundraising strategies and meaningful partnerships.

The Plenary Session, moderated by Gjergji Vurmo, focused on the role of think tanks in policy-making within hybrid regimes, highlighting the constraints civil society faces in environments where democratic institutions are weakened. The session “Pushing the Boundaries for Evidence-Based Policy Making – A View from the Other Side”, led by Sonja Stojanovic, provided a government perspective on evidence-based decision-making, stressing the importance of collaboration between policymakers, think tanks, and civil society. The day concluded with parallel sessions on Agenda 2030 for Think Tanks, where working groups developed actionable recommendations for the sector.

Day Three: Reflecting on Challenges and the Road Ahead

The third day began with a plenary session moderated by Marija Risteska, discussing the role of think tanks during crises for liberal democracy. Participants examined the “identity crisis” think tanks face in the face of rising hybrid regimes and democracy fatigue.

The Closing Plenary spotlighted the “Agenda 2030 for Think Tanks”, summarizing the recommendations from the working groups, and included a reflection panel featuring young think tankers. This session explored whether the forum met their expectations and charted pathways for the future.

The Tirana Think Tank Forum 2024 marked a significant milestone in creating a regional platform to address the unique needs of the think tank sector. It laid a solid foundation for collaboration, shared objectives, and strengthened the sector’s capacity to navigate complex political landscapes.

Berzat Berzati: Lažne vesti i dezinformacije predstavljaju sve veći izazov na Kosovu

Lažne vesti i dezinformacije predstavljaju sve veći izazov na Kosovu, utičući na društvo i politički ambijent.

Inicijatori lažnih vesti na Kosovu su raznovrsni i često zavise od interesnih grupa kaže novinar iz Prizrena Berzat Berzati.

„Ko su inicijatori lažnih vesti zavisi od interesne grupe, da li je iz nekog političkog kruga, neke regionalne organizacije ili političke organizacije to jest državne vlasti, strukture vlasti. Imamo i verskih grupacija koje šire netačne informacije, takozvane lažne vesti“, kaže novinar Berzati.

Prepoznavanje lažnih vesti zahteva pažljivo razmatranje informacija, dodaje Berzati.

„Prepoznati ih možemo prvo identifikacijom, znači ko je autor tog teksta ili reportaže, ne mora biti samo tekstualnog karaktera. Ko su portali i medijske kuće koje objavljuju, datumi objave te vesti, zatim koji su dokazi i šta se koristi kao dokaz prilikom objavljivanja te vesti. Ako su dokazi iz nekih poverljivih informacija a mi nemamo ko su te poverljive informacije-onda je ta vest naravno sumnjiva“, rekao je Berzati.

Lažne vesti se često koriste kako bi se upravljalo situacijom tokom nemira i napetosti, kao što je to bilo na Severu Kosova tokom barikada i incidenata u Banjskoj. Mediji i novinari na Kosovu, kao i u regionu, ponekad doprinose povećanju netrpeljivosti između različitih etničkih grupa kaže Berzati.

“Tendeciozne vesti imamo koje se šire namerno da bi upravljale situacijom radi nekih nemira ili napetih situacija. To se najviše koristi ovde na Kosovu, za primer imamo Sever gde se mediji i na Albanskom i na Srpskom bore ko će više podići tenzije sa lažnim vestima. To smo videli i kada je bilo barikada na Severu, to smo videli i kada je bio napad u Banjskoj. Mediji i u Srbiji i na Kosovu i u regionu su se borili ko će više netrepeljivosti izazvati prema Srbima ili Albancima. Nažalost na Kosovu ne postoji sistem pomoću kojeg bi mogli da zaustavimo pojavu tih inicijatora lažnih vesti“, zaključuje novinar Berzat Berzati.

AGENDA “Tirana Think Tank Forum 2024”

Tirana Think Tank Forum 2024 – A Meeting Point for Western Balkan Think Tanks

We are excited to announce the Tirana Think Tank Forum (TTF), scheduled for November 13^th to 15^th , 2024, as part of the SMART Balkans project. This event aims to bring together think tank organizations from across the Western Balkans to foster collaboration, share best practices, and develop innovative strategies to navigate the challenges they face in today’s political landscape.

Under the theme “Think Tanks in the Time of Hybrid Regimes – Challenges to Impact, Integrity, and Independence,” the TTF will address the pressing challenges faced by think tanks in the region with rising autocratic trends. As many countries in the Western Balkans experience increasing pressures on democratic institutions and civil society, this forum will serve as a platform for executives, senior managers, and researchers to engage in meaningful discussions about strategies for maintaining independence and ensuring impactful policymaking.

The forum will kick off with a closed-door session aimed at creating a safe and informal environment for think tank representatives to share their experiences and insights. This setting will facilitate open dialogue, allowing participants to generate innovative solutions to the common challenges they face in their respective contexts. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss topics such as managing external pressures, maintaining credibility, and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders.

Following the closed session, the event will continue to a public forum that will bring together over 100 participants, including policymakers, civil society representatives, and academics. This part of event will feature a diverse program that covers a range of topics, including:

Think Tanks and Policy-Making in Hybrid Regimes
Pushing the Boundaries for Evidence-Based Policy-Making: A View from the Other Side
Agenda 2030 for Think Tanks: Parallel Sessions and Public Platform
The Relevance of Think Tanks in Times of Crisis for Liberal Democracy:

Additionally, the forum will provide a unique opportunity for participants to learn from renowned experts and prominent figures in the think tank sector from the region and Europe. Through panel discussions, parallel sessions, and networking opportunities, attendees will have the opportunity to learn practical approaches and successful strategies which they can implement in their own work.

Registration for the Tirana Think Tank Forum now open! We encourage all interested participants to register promptly to secure their spot: Registration Form

*The event will be conducted in English, and the organizers will cover all travel, accommodation, and meal costs for selected applicants. However, there is also an opportunity for interested non-selected applicants to self-finance some of their costs beyond the allocated spots.

AGENDA_Tirana Think Tank Forum 2024

𝐓𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 2024- Registration Form

Theme – “Think Tanks in the Time of Hybrid Regimes – Challenges to Impact, Integrity, and Independence.”

The regional conference is set to occur on November 13-15, 2024, in Tirana.

This year’s forum will address the critical challenges that Western Balkan think tanks face in maintaining their independence and integrity, especially within hybrid regimes. The discussions will focus on strategies to navigate these challenges and to ensure that think tanks continue to influence policy-making processes effectively.

Furthermore, Tirana Think tank Forum – TTF 2024 will offer also an opportunity for executives, senior managers and researchers to share experiences and practical solutions on organizational development, management, quality and other internal challenges WB think tanks face.

The first part of TTF 2024 will take place in a closed door setting to enable a safe space and a true retreat for think tanks to generate ideas and new perspectives on their development concerns.

This will be followed by the Forum’s public event “Think Tanks in the Time of Hybrid Regimes – Challenges to Impact, Integrity, and Independence” which will bring prominent speakers, experts and senior officials discuss with an audience of over 100 think tankers through a series of thematic discussions, plenary and interactive sessions, expert panels, and networking opportunities.

The official language of the conference is English.

Please express your interest in participating in this forum by completing the registration form below, by October 20, 2024, 23:59:

https://forms.office.com/e/N1S4778XEz

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KOMF has developed the “Capacity Building Program” for its member organizations

Our cooperating partner from Kosovo, Koalicioni i OJQ-ve për Mbrojtjen e Fëmijëve (KOMF) has developed the “Capacity Building Program” for its member organizations, focusing on key areas such as good governance, child protection procedures, advocacy, communication and fundraising.

The modules presented in this program are designed in such a way that the member organizations of KOMF and not only, can use them independently to raise their capacities in the aforementioned areas.

This program includes tools and instruments that can be used by NGOs in order to facilitate operation, sustainability and achieving results.

The program contains the following modules:

▪️ Good governance and organization management;

▪️ Internal procedures of the child protection organization;

▪️ Advocacy and communication;

▪️ Fundraising and volunteering.

Read the full Program by clicking below: “Program for capacity building”