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KCSP Grants
Partnership and Networking Grants
ROUND 1
Project Name: “TV debates on current events”
Organization: Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN)
Location: Kosovo-wide
BIRN produced and aired 25 televised debates on current events in Kosovo with the goal of developing a culture of responsiveness, transparency, and accountability among public officials. The debates informed the citizens of Kosovo about current events during a critical period in their history as the country moved towards its declaration of independence, and required public officials to defend their positions on the issues of the day to their constituents.
Project Name: “Promotion of sustainable partnerships between municipal authorities and NGO sector through advocating for implementation of relevant laws at local and regional levels”
Organization: Youth Initiative Mitrovica (YIM)
Location: Mitrovica, Zvecan, Leposavic, and Zubin Potok Municipalities
YIM spearheaded an advocacy campaign for implementation of anti-discrimination and gender equality legislation in the municipalities of Mitrovica, Zvecan, Leposavic, and Zubin Potok. Through trainings, focus groups, and targeted media outreach, municipal departments and NGOs worked together to promote implementation of laws concerning youth, women, and minorities among local institutions, civil society actors, and representatives of minority communities. YIM also built up the capacity of local government departments responsible for implementing relevant laws that affect youth, civil society organizations, and marginalized communities.
Project Name: “Increasing accountability of elected officials through domestic watchdog organizations”
Organization: Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI)
Location: Pristina, Peja, Prizren, Mamusha, Gjilan, Ferizaj, and Obiliq Municipalities
KDI established a watchdog organization to monitor the work of seven Municipal Assemblies and their elected officials while promoting increased citizen participation in the municipal legislative process. The project also sought to inform citizens about the performance, transparency and accountability of their governing institutions and elected officials. Finally, KDI worked to encourage citizens to participate in municipal legislative processes through existing mechanisms such as public hearings, consultations, and debates.
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Project Name: “Integration of Serb minority group in Kosovo society”
Organization: Kosovo Development Center (KDC)
Location: Rahovac Municipality
KDC established a commercial, multiethnic agricultural cooperative in Rahovec Municipality. This cooperative provides access to services for improved market-responsive production, as well as superior organization of post-harvest processing, sorting, grading and selling. The project improved the efficiency and competitiveness of the local agriculture sector, while furthering the multiethnic dialogue in Kosovo society.
Project Name: “Building partnerships for economic development”
Organization: Community Business Development Center (CBDC)
Location: Gjakova Municipality
CBDC supported marketing and foreign investment promotion initiatives for commercial enterprises in Gjakova Municipality. The project focused on development of promotional materials as tools for encouraging investment, as well as coordinating efforts among local government institutions, NGOs, and businesses to attract foreign capital.
Project Name: “Municipal court – the place for justice”
Women’s Association (VITA)
Location: Strpce Municipality
VITA raised awareness of the role and functions of the Municipal Court in Strpce and increased use of judicial processes to resolve civil disputes. The project also distributed brochures in both Albanian and Serbian throughout all 16 villages of Strpce Municipality, informing the population about the importance of their local court in establishing and promoting individual rights. Finally, VITA instituted Court Open Door Days where interested citizens had an opportunity to visit the Municipal Court and get their questions answered by local judicial officials.
Project Name: “Partnership in the corruption fight”
Organization: Organization for Democracy, Anti-Corruption and Dignity (COHU)
Location: Kosovo-wide
COHU established a civil society anti-corruption coalition and promoted increased awareness of corruption throughout Kosovo. Such education pertained to practical manifestations of corruption, ways of preventing and fighting it, and the consequences and perils corruption poses to society.
ROUND 2
Project Name: “Kosovo town hall”
Organization: URBAN FM
Location: Kosovo-wide
The goals of this project were to strengthen citizen participation in local decision-making processes and to identify and address weaknesses of local governments, including corruption issues, in key municipalities. Major activities included research on transparency in municipal government, tax collection, and municipal budget management. The project also resulted in five televised debates with mayors and citizens in cities across Kosovo.
Project Name: “Transparency, youth, institutions and participation” (TRIP)
Organization: Kosovo Youth Network (KYN)
Location: Kosovo-wide
KYN increased the transparency and accountability of local and central institutions regarding allocation of funding for youth programming and strengthened youth participation in relevant decision-making processes. Major activities included publication of data for 30 municipalities and the central government on funding dedicated to youth and organization of meetings with central and local government institutions to collect the data. KYN also organized 30 public debates to discuss its findings and solicit recommendations for improved mechanisms to support the youth sector, hosted a press conference to announce publication of its report and findings, and assembled a conference to present its conclusions and discuss recommendations for ensuring more transparent mechanisms for allocation of youth funding.
Project Name: “Strengthening interethnic relations through participatory planning”
Organization: Partners Kosova (PK)
Location: Kastriot/Obiliq, Fushe Kosova/Kosovo Polje
This project improved the effectiveness of minority return and integration strategies in Kosovo by strengthening interethnic relations in Kastriot/Obiliq and Fushe Kosova/Kosovo Polje. Major activities included field assessments and the establishment of working groups in each municipality to identify obstacles to integration and increase local capacity to implement effective policies through advanced change and conflict management training. PK also conducted a participatory planning process that involved meetings between local governments, NGOs, and local majority and minority community leaders. Finally, the project organized a roundtable conference to share lessons learned with all stakeholders and present recommendations for the sustainability of the integration process. The event was widely covered by Kosovo media.
Project Name: “Anti-sexual harassment policy”
Organization: Kosovo Center for Gender Studies (KGSC)
Location: Kosovo-wide
KGSC conducted an advocacy initiative aimed at formulation, adoption and implementation of a policy against sexual harassment in public institutions. Major activities included establishing a broad coalition to draft the policy, spearheading a multi-dimensional advocacy campaign for adoption of the policy, and a leading a public awareness campaign in cooperation with Kosovo Women’s Network to increase understanding of sexual harassment. The project also trained government officials and civil servants in sexual harassment policy issues and established clear mechanisms for reporting and enforcement.
ROUND 3
Project Name: “TV debate on current events”
Organization: Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN)
Location: Kosovo-wide
BIRN built on the success of its Round 1 Partnership and Networking project by broadcasting 24 additional debates on current events in Kosovo to encourage more open discussion among policymakers, government officials, and the public.
Project Name: “Citizens in Action”
Organization: Advocacy Center for Progress-AVONET
Location: Ferizaj Municipality
AVONET increased citizen participation in decision-making processes, specifically in the planning of the 2008-2009 municipal budget, and improved the accountability and transparency of the Ferizaj Municipal Government. AVONET conducted 10 public debates and 12 TV debates/talk shows and monitored the work of the Ferizaj Municipal Assembly and its committees. In addition, AVONET published performance scorecards, disseminated analytical reports, and conducted a survey of public perceptions of the Ferizaj municipal institutions, policy implementation, legislation, and the electoral system.
Project Name: “Successful youth employment in Gjakova Municipality”
Organization: Community and Business Development Center (CBDC)
Location: Gjakova Municipality
CBDC improved employment opportunities for youth and disseminated information regarding job market requirements in Gjakova Municipality. CBDC also identified companies that were interested in employing 30 young people between 19 and 35 who were looking for job opportunities.
Project Name: ‘Increasing NGO Advocacy in Vitia Municipality”
Organization: Independent Cultural Information and Youth Center “Elita”
Location: Vitia Municipality
Elita helped develop a strong and sustainable civil society advocacy network in Vitia Municipality. The project increased the impact of civil society and NGOs in Vitia Municipality through establishing and building the capacity of a coalition of Vitia advocacy NGOs.
Project Name: “Safer communities”
Organization: Forum for Civic Initiative (FIQ)
Location: Kosovo-wide
FIQ encouraged citizens of Kosovo to become involved and take responsibility for making their communities safe. The project utilized the Safer Community Plan Model (SCP) which allowed citizens to identify and more effectively address their security concerns in order to establish and develop the capacity of Local Safety Councils.
Project Name: “Increasing awareness to employ people with disabilities at the local level”
Organization: Handikos
Location: Kosovo-wide
Handikos conducted 21 trainings in seven regions of Kosovo for 70 disabled youth, 70 disabled women, and 30 municipal representatives. Handikos also organized seven roundtable discussions featuring disabled people and local officials on the topic “Employment of Disabled People”. The goal of these focus groups was to improve the capacity of civil society to provide employment opportunities for disabled people.
Project Name: “Education, training and establishing monitoring structures to combat corruption”
Organization: Kosovo Education Center (KEC)
Location: Kosovo-wide
KEC conducted 10 two-day trainings for 300 government representatives, community leaders, and civil society leaders across Kosovo and held roundtables in seven different regions. The project also organized TV and radio debates in three municipal centers and an “Anti-Corruption week” in seven different regions.
Project Name: “Civic dialogue”
Organization: NGO “Mother Teresa”
Location: Kosovo and Serbia
The NGO “Mother Theresa” conducted a conference on topics concerning youth, youth leadership, and women’s issues. The conference was part of the NGO’s ongoing efforts to form alliances among people of goodwill across ethnic divides and contribute to peace and security in the Balkans.
Project Name: “Public money belongs to the public”
Organization: New Millennium
Location: Kosovo-wide
New Millennium increased the accountability and transparency of local institutions towards their electorate and the taxpayers of Kosovo. The project included citizen’s discussions, public debates in rural areas, roundtables, special meetings with the municipal departments, and a conference entitled “Transparency: the role of citizens in decision-making.”
Project Name: “Social dialogue”
Organization: Pensioners and Work Invalids Trade Union of Kosovo (SPPIK)
Location: Kosovo-wide
SPPIK improved pensioners’ access to social services and pensions. The project included hosting seven roundtables across Kosovo, writing articles in daily newspapers, publishing “Pensioner” magazine, organizing two Kosovo-wide conferences, and holding informational meetings with parliamentary groups, institutional representatives, and local and international NGOs.
ROUND 4
Project Name: “Transparency and anti-corruption in the Kosovo judicial system”
Organization: Kosova Judges Association
Location: Prizren, Peje, Gjilan, Pristina, and Mitrovica Municipalities
The Kosovo Judges Association educated the judiciary community about the importance of transparency in their work and the need to discourage and prevent corruption. The project included seminars in five municipalities on corruption and transparency in Kosovo’s judiciary system from the perspectives of judges, attorneys, and prosecutors.
Project Name: “Women’s information center”
Organization: Hand to Hand
Location: Fushe Kosove/Kosovo Polje
Hand to Hand, an NGO focused on women’s issues, encouraged cooperation among NGOs representing different ethnic groups through conducting meetings with other women’s organizations, developing a questionnaire and scorecards for feedback purposes, and organizing roundtables about cooperation among groups focusing on women’s issues in the ethnically mixed area of Fushe Kosove/Kosovo Polje.
Project Name: “Transparency and public right to information for official documents”
Organization: Human Rights Radio Network (HRRN)
Location: Kosovo-wide
HRRN fostered the organizational ethos that civil servants and authorities are paid by tax revenue to serve the citizens of Kosovo. HRRN conducted six radio debates and one TV debate in Albanian and Serbian. Through radio announcements in both languages and through its web page, HRRN publicized debates and research findings on purchase, use, and maintenance of official vehicles.
Project Name: “Campaign for preventing the degradation of the Sunny Hill neighborhood in the city of Pristina”
Organization: Initiative for Protection of the City of Pristina (IPCP)
Location: Pristina/Sunny Hill Neighborhood
IPCP developed a campaign to decrease the level of degradation in the city of Pristina, and especially in the neighborhood of Sunny Hill. The project included a two-day conference to outline the problems of urban development in Sunny Hill and determine necessary steps to rehabilitate the neighborhood. IPCP identified illegally-constructed buildings in Sunny Hill, overbuilt sites, occupied land that belongs to the municipality, and occupied sidewalks and public roads. IPCP also conducted trainings for Sunny Hill school pupils on protecting their neighborhood.
Project Name: “Enhancement of principles for good governance”
Organization: Kosova Democratic Initiative (KDI)
Location: Pristina, Prizren, Obiliq, Rahovec, Lipjan
KDI worked to enhance transparency, accountability and communication between municipal authorities and their constituents. KDI and its network of NGOs monitored the work of six municipal assemblies with the aim of informing citizens about the performance, transparency and accountability of their elected officials.
Project Name: “Dialogue of the local communities in Kosovo: confidence, reconciliation and returns”
Organization: Women’s Committee for Protection and Human Rights
Location: Pristina/Caglavica
This project promoted a permanent, de-politicized, and sustainable returns process and contributed to easing interethnic tensions by advocating for the basic right of everyone displaced by the conflict to return to their homes in Kosovo, regardless of ethnicity. The project involved two roundtables, three radio debates, and one conference on the topic “Living Together through Tolerance”.
Project Name: “Fol” (speak up)
Organization: Documenta
Location: Kosovo-wide
Documenta implemented the “Fol” (Speak Up) project to inform the citizens of Kosovo on the crucial issues of decentralization, final status settlement, and protection of minority rights. The project fostered open debate on issues such as state symbols. Documenta produced six documentaries related to the topics of Kosovo status talks, decentralization, negotiations, and minority rights that presented and analyzed both the Albanian and Serb perspectives.
ROUND 5
Project Name: “Equal opportunities for people with disabilities”
Organization: Handikos
Location: North Mitrovica
Handikos established an inclusive, rights-based and equal opportunity environment at the local community level. Through computer training courses, the project gave disabled people marketable skills that will allow them to participate in the local labor market. Handikos raised local community awareness, initiated sustainable partnerships among people with disabilities in North Mitrovica, and held focus group meetings on equal employment opportunity between representatives of the disabled community and municipal authorities. Handikos also launched a media campaign to promote equal opportunity with the participation of local radio and TV stations. Inter-municipal exchange visits involved people with disabilities in social activities and recreational gatherings with other community members.
Project Name: “Bringing citizens closer to their municipalities”
Organization: Institute for Research and development (IRD)
Location: Obiliq Municipality
IRD improved the transparency and accountability of Municipal Assemblies, strengthened community trust in local authorities, increased citizen participation in decision-making processes, and encouraged partnerships between minority communities and local government in Obiliq Municipality. IRD organized meetings between citizens and local government officials in three Serb villages and one Albanian village. Four working groups coalesced, developed capacity to design petitions/projects, and presented them to Obiliq Municipality. The project also sought to make NGO work more visible, influence citizens to take public action in order to improve their lives, and promote partnership as a key for success.
Project Name: “Support to NGO sector in Kosovo in preparation of financial statements”
Organization: AFAS
Location: Kosovo-wide
AFAS trained local NGOs to manage their resources efficiently and effectively. The project improved the ability of NGOs to apply financial management systems that encourage accountably and transparency and establish partnerships with local government institutions. AFAS also identified potential candidates from the NGO sector and government to participate in training sessions. A group of 15 participants from the NGO sector received 90 hours of training. A model of financial statements was prepared for use by both NGOs and government institutions dealing with NGOs, including the NGO Government Office. AFAS also worked to apply international financial statement standards to the Kosovo NGO sector.
Project Name: “With transparency towards progress”
Organization: Kosovo Center for International Cooperation (KCIC)
Location: Gjilan Municipality
KCIC worked to increase the transparency and responsibility of civil service institutions in Gjilan Municipality and encourage citizens to voice their opinions. KCIC placed “opinion boxes” in municipal offices, allowing citizens to express their opinions and make suggestions that were gathered and publicized through a newsletter. Two roundtables were organized with central and municipal government representatives and other relevant stakeholders. KCIC also produced radio and TV programs promoting the rights of citizens to express their opinions. A commission of NGO representatives, media members, and government leaders gathered, analyzed, and reported the opinions of citizens.
Project Name: “Enhancement of integration and raising the awareness of Bosniak community in Kosovo’’
Organization: Association of Contemporary Initiatives, Bosniak NGO network
Location: Kosovo-wide
The Association of Contemporary Initiatives sought to improve the Bosniak community’s cooperation with civil society in Prizren Municipality and the coordination among NGOs supporting Bosniak interests across Kosovo. The project worked to build up the confidence of Bosniaks regarding their future in Kosovo through monthly radio shows as well as regular meetings between NGOs serving the Bosniak community and representatives of Bosniak villages. In the Prizren region, the Association produced a brochure describing the work of Bosniak-serving NGOs and surveyed 350 members of the Bosniak community. The project also organized debates entitled “The position of communities within the new constitution of Kosovo” and “Bosniaks and their future in Kosovo.”
Project Name: “Youth development center”
Organization: Center for Social Development (CSD)
Location: Gracanica
This project provided educational and activism opportunities for Serb and Roma youth through a modern Youth development center. At the center, minority youth met with representatives of NGOs and local authorities to discuss issues of concern. Major activities included English language and computer science classes, journalism courses, resume and job-application workshops, and health education on subjects like HIV/AIDS, smoking, drugs and alcoholism. The project organized seven roundtables on subjects like health, education, the NGO sector, public institutions, employment, and media. Finally, the Center promoted teamwork and volunteerism among minority youth as they interacted with representatives of KFOR and KPS.
Project Name: “Initiating and implementing of draft laws for people with disabilities”
Organization: Handicap Kosova
Location: Kosovo-wide
Handikap Kosova’s goal was to increase cooperation between municipal governments and the organizations that deal with the issues of people with disabilities through promoting direct NGO participation in public decision-making processes. The project facilitated involvement of disabled people in the drafting process for Kosovo’s Construction and Public Transportation Law. Major activities included conducting six one-day workshops and organizing TV roundtables in Pristina, Peja, and Prizren to discuss the recommendations that arose from the workshops. Handikap Kosova also drafted two legal documents based on recommendations from the workshops and organized a one-day conference in Pristina on the topic “Rights of Disabled People in Decision Making Processes.”
ROUND 6
Project Name: “Life in Kosovo”
Organization: Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN)
Location: Kosovo-wide
BIRN built on the success of its previous projects by producing a series of current affairs talk-shows meant to channel the kind of public frustrations arising in the period of status determination through civilized but unapologetic and direct discussions with politicians. Eighteen unbiased and impartial episodes dealt with issues such as accountability, equal representation of minorities, women and youth, and media development.
Project Name: "Strategy for a transparent and corruption-free judiciary system"
Organization: Kosovo Judges Association
Location: Kosovo-wide
The Kosovo Judge’s Association drafted, approved and implemented a strategy for a more transparent, corruption-free judiciary system. Activities included organizing a three day workshop to draft the strategy with 20 judges, prosecutors, local and international lawyers, and representatives from the Prime Ministers office for Good Governance, civil society, and the media. A working group emerged to organize TV debates, host press conferences, and build consensus among the three major stakeholders – the judiciary, the government, and civil society.
Project Name: "Let's build bridges"
Organization: Action for Non Violence and Peace Building (ANP)
Location: Gjilan
ANP educated youth on the causes and consequences of previous wars in the region and empowered them to prevent violent conflict in the future. Workshops of 20 young people dealt with issues of violence, prejudice, stereotypes, discrimination, national identity, and human rights. ANP also hosted trainings on non-violent communication, team work, and joint decision-making.
Project Name: "Let’s talk about our society"
Organization: Production New Press (PNP)
Location: Caglavica
PNP worked to foster interethnic communication and create an environment for mutual understanding among Serbs and Albanians. The project increased awareness and improved perceptions of Kosovar government institutions among the Serb community and increased interethnic dialogue. Activities included organizing informal meetings and six debates between representatives of Kosovar government institutions and the Serb population, promoting the PNP website, and disseminating information to more than 1,000 email addresses in Kosovo and Serbia.
ROUND 7
Project Name: “Films that changed the world”
Organization: Balkan Sunflowers Kosova
Location: Kosovo-wide
Balkan Sunflowers Kosova produced eight programs, including feature films and panel discussions, for the Kosovo public to raise awareness about issues of equality, freedom, national identity, economic development, justice, responsibility, and positive social change. Major activities included the broadcasts, panel discussions, in-school programming, and promotions aimed at schools and youth centers.
Project Name: “Fair and transparent procurement unit in Ferizaj Municipality”
Organization: Initiative for progress (INPO)
Location: Ferizaj
INPO sought to promote a more transparent and impartial procurement process in the Ferizaj Assembly by identifying procedural weaknesses and potential solutions, improving transparency and impartiality in decision-making, and combating corruption by creating mechanisms for institutional capacity-building. Major activities included monitoring procurement processes in the Ferizaj Municipal Assembly, studying audit reports and media articles, establishing working groups, roundtables, and TV debates to develop potential solutions, and organizing a public awareness campaign.
Project Name: “Place for equal opportunities”
Organization: Organization of people with disabilities (OON)
Location: Gracanica
OON drafted an action plan to increase the involvement of people with disabilities in local politics based on the official document “Framework of policies for people with disabilities in Kosovo.” It also designed an advocacy campaign in order to increase public and decision-maker awareness of disabled peoples’ rights. The project established links among NGOs, people with disabilities, and local institutions. Major activities included a radio show on the rights of people with disabilities, a public meeting to inform disabled people of their rights, and brochures and posters to increase awareness. OON also organized two roundtables with NGOs and local authorities and four training modules for NGOs, local institutions and others on the participation of disabled people in politics.
Project Name: “Municipal strategy for agriculture development”
Organization: Association of Independent Intellectuals (SHIP)
Location: Decan and Junik Municipalities
SHIP developed a local strategy for agricultural development and submitted it to Decan Municipality for approval with the intention of increasing the interest of investors, the level of local employment, and the quality of agriculture. Activities included meetings with representatives of relevant local institutions, working groups of local experts, roundtables, radio debates, and drafting of the strategy.
Project Name: “Partnership to increase awareness on anti-corruption”
Organization: Organization for Democracy Anti-Corruption and Dignity (COHU)
Location: Kosovo-wide
COHU increased the level of cooperation among members of the Anti-corruption Network and Civil Society for a Clean Parliament Coalition, raised awareness of corruption, and created an interactive and common internet space where all partners and interested citizens can discuss the issue of corruption. Major activities included organizing public debates across Kosovo, televised debates in each municipality, and a Poverty Eradication Day leaflet describing poverty levels in Kosovo and government responses to the problem. An interactive web site was also launched, and COHU planted trees in eight cities on International Anti-Corruption Day.
Project Name: “Citizens’ decision making”
Organization: The New Millennium
Location: Pristina
The New Millennium worked to create a favorable legal infrastructure to encourage citizen participation in Pristina. The project aimed to change Article 27 of the Pristina Municipal Statute and strengthen the role of citizens in decision-making by increasing cooperation between NGOs and municipal government. Major activities included a survey disseminated to 500 citizens of Pristina Municipality, a campaign on the importance of changing Article 27, 14 public discussions with citizens, municipal leaders, and civil society representatives, and televised debates with MA officials, deputies and well-known citizen representatives.
Project Name: “Assuring of responsible governance through citizen participation”
Organization: Project Media Opinion (ProMo)
Location: Rahovec
ProMO’s efforts developed Rahovec’s agricultural sector, increased public interest in agriculture policy, and improved government transparency. Activities included press conferences, informational meetings, and interviews with farmers to ascertain their needs. ProMo also published an informational brochure, interviewed public officials, held television and radio debates, and delivered its findings in a final report.
Grassroots Advocacy Grants
ROUND 1
Project Name: “Youth center ‘At Lorenc Mazreku’”
Organization: At Lorenc Mazreku (ALM)
Location: Peja Municipality
ALM launched an advocacy initiative aimed at implementing the Regulation on Protection of Minors in Peja. Major activities included a series of forums with pupils, parents, and bar owners about drug and alcohol abuse among young people and seven debates featuring representatives of the Office for Protection of Children’s Rights, the Legal Office of the Municipal Assembly, and youth NGOs about implementation of the regulation. The project also conducted a public awareness campaign through leaflets and posters to inform citizens about the regulation.
Project Name: “Use of public space for cemetaries in Klina”
Organization: Independent Women’s Association “Elena Gjika”
Location: Klina
The Independent Women’s Association conducted an advocacy initiative aimed at formulation, adoption, and implementation of a new regulation on use of space for public cemeteries. Major activities included public debates and forums with stakeholders, a public hearing in cooperation with municipal authorities to solicit citizen input into the draft regulation, and three public debates to be broadcast on local radio. The project also sought to publish and distribute 600 copies of an informative leaflet on cemetery regulation.
Project Name: “Let’s walk together”
Organization: Vision towards Future (VDA)
Location: Shtimje Municipality
VDA supported ongoing democratic processes and promoted increased transparency and accountability within the Shtimje Municipal Assembly. Major activities included a survey of 100 citizens on perceptions of corruption within the Assembly, monitoring of all Municipal Assembly meetings over a four month period, and public discussions with citizens, selected officials, media members, and local NGOs to present the results of the first two activities. Finally, the project produced an analytical report with conclusions and recommendations for increasing transparency and citizen engagement in municipal decision making.
Project Name: “Multiethnic citizen participation in Kamenica”
Organization: Organization for Political Innovations (OPI)
Location: Kamenica Municipality
OPI worked to promote increased multiethnic citizen participation in the decision-making processes of Kamenica Municipality. Major activities included holding a series of roundtables focused on citizen engagement, producing radio broadcasts in Albanian and Serbian with municipal authorities, OSCE representatives, political party leaders, and civil society actors as guests, and publishing and distributing 1,500 leaflets on citizen participation. OPI also produced a report on ways to strengthen citizen engagement in decision making processes for dissemination to municipal authorities.
ROUND 2
Project Name: “Citizen’s education in environment protection, especially along the Dobrusha River”
Organization: Agro Eko
Location: Gjilan
Agro Eko protected inhabitants of Gjilan living alongside the Dobrusha River. Agro Eko conducted a workshop with citizens and the Department of Waste and Water, two radio debates, and four meetings with citizens from the target area to increase water-quality awareness. Agro Eko also held 10 meetings with neighborhood council representatives on mobilizing citizens to demand transparency in order to solve the environmental problems of the Dobrusha reiverbed.
Project Name: “Prevention of violence in schools”
Organization: Center for Counseling, Research and Psychological Treatment (CCRPT)
Location: Ferizaj
CCRPT worked to prevent violence in schools by establishing healthy relationships among students, teachers, and parents. CCRPT conducted research on reasons behind the use of violence and student attitudes towards it in two Ferizaj schools. The project also involved meetings with school and public officials.
Project Name: “Urban planning for Zatra neighborhood”
Organization: Eye of the Vision
Location: Peje/Zatrs Neighborhood
Eye of the Vision increased participation of Zatra residents in the drafting and implementation of their urban plan. Eye of the Vision conducted three workshops on priorities for the Zatra neighborhood and formulated additional ideas. In cooperation with UN Habitat, the project developed and distributed three different questionnaires to 350 households on citizen priorities and summarized its findings in a research report.
Project Name: “Disabled access to Prizren schools”
Organization: Live Life
Location: Prizren Municipality
Live Life promoted equal access to education for people with disabilities in Prizren. Live Life conducted two roundtables with NGO representatives, people with disabilities, and local officials, and held 15 public debates with citizens of Prizren Municipality. It also organized one TV advertisement focusing on access to education for people with disabilities, two TV debates between local officials and people with disabilities, and meetings with local officials representing the Departments of Education, Department of Urbanism, and Department of Spatial Development Planning.
Project Name: “Discover Pristina”
Organization: Discovery Center (IRDC)
Location: Pristina
IRDC promoted active learning that encouraged people – particularly young people – to analyze their relationship with their home environment and their city’s past, present and future through the Discover Pristina exhibition. IRDC conducted two educational outreach projects, printed Discover Pristina Magazine, and developed, installed, and offered tours of 11 educational exhibits.
Project Name: “Improving living conditions of inhabitants of the Qendra neighborhood in Kamenica”
Organization: Organization for Political Innovations (OPI)
Location: Kamenica
OPI improved living conditions for inhabitants of the Qendra neighborhood in Kamenica. OPI conducted seven meetings with municipal officials and eight meetings with civil society representatives. It organized roundtables on the topics, “Why should actions be taken to improve the sewage system in the neighborhood?” and “How should we solve the sewage system problems in the neighborhood?”, and produced three radio shows on the topic “Improving citizens’ lives.”
Project Name: “Increasing active participation of the Roma community in decision making”
Organization: Rromani Baxt
Location: Prizren and Gjakova
Rromani Baxt established dialogue between the Roma community and local government, addressing issues related to improving the societal position of Roma. Rromani Baxt conducted two public meetings with citizens of Gjakova and Prizren, facilitated working groups in both areas, and held two roundtables with Roma intellectuals and local officials.
Project Name: “Public awareness campaign for PET recycling”
Organization: Women Business Association (WBA)
Location: North Mitrovica and Zvecan
WBA promoted the recycling of plastic waste materials in North Mitrovica and Zvecan. WBA conducted three public debates, a multimedia campaign utilizing newspapers, local TV and radio stations, billboards, and posters, four workshops at local secondary schools, and four days of training for 24 secondary school students on conducting recycling workshops. These 24 secondary school students trained 350 primary school students.
ROUND 3
Project Name: “School water quality in Gjilan Municipality”
Organization: Agro Eko
Location: Gjilan
Agro Eko sought to protect children’s health by influencing decision-makers to provide higher quality water to schools. Agro Eko formed advocacy focus groups comprised of parents, school directors, students, representatives from Agro Eko, and representatives from the Public Health Institute, and organized a debate with the wider community in order to discuss the issue. Meetings were held at 15 different schools with schoolchildren, parents and school professionals. Agro Eko also planned a one-day workshop on finding financial support and planning a budget to resolve the issue.
Project Name: “Who am I?”
Organization: Down Syndrome Association of Kosova
Location: Kosovo-wide
The Down Syndrome Association of Kosova worked to integrate children with Down Syndrome into preschools and primary schools. The project increased the level of acceptance of children with Down Syndrome through TV programs and lectures with professionals for parents, relatives, and health care workers.
Project Name: “Student scholarship”
Organization: Elena Peshkopia
Location: Gjilan Municipality
Elena Peshkopia encouraged municipal officials to give annual scholarships to outstanding students from Gjilan Municipality. Activities included a series of meetings with relevant municipal officials, two debates with the youth network of Gjilan and education officials, two live radio programs, and a petition. Brochures were developed and two press conferences were organized. The project established scholarship selection committees with representatives of government, civil society, media, and other local interest groups.
Project Name: “Your municipality – influence and rights”
Organization: Independent Cultural Information and Youth Center (Elita)
Location: Vitia
Elita enhanced the capacity of village councils in Vitia Municipality to serve as liaisons between citizens and municipal institutions. Through organizing trainings with representatives of villages, meeting with officials, forming multiethnic focus groups, producing information materials, and holding roundtables and TV debates, the project facilitated reforms in 20 targeted villages in Vitia Municipality.
Project Name: “Walking without obstacles”
Organization: Coalition for Democracy (KOD)
Location: Ferizaj
KOD worked to resolve a local taxi parking problem. Taxis in Ferizaj had no assigned parking location, so they parked on sidewalks instead. This blocked sidewalks and obstructed pedestrian traffic. Through surveying Ferizaj citizens and taxi drivers and organizing press conferences and debates, KOD influenced local authorities to create a taxi parking area in Ferizaj.
Project Name: “Equality for all”
Organization: Kosova Association of Blind and Partially-Sighted People
Location: Pristina
The Association aided blind and partially-sighted people in voting in local and central elections. The project lobbied the Central Election Committee and political parties to use Braille ballots and voter education materials and acoustic technology to allow full participation of blind and partially-sighted people in the November 2007 election. Advocacy efforts included organizing a public debate, launching a TV and print media campaign, and meeting with political parties.
Project Name: “Education for all”
Organization: Parents and Teachers Council of Malisheva Municipality
Location: Malisheva Municipality
The Parents and Teachers Council involved the Malisheva community in decision-making processes concerning their education system and ensured the implementation of educational reforms. School directors, parliamentary groups, parents, and students contributed to discussions on scheduling and conduct in primary and secondary schools. In addition, the Council produced radio programs on the municipal educational system and organized an NGO meeting that brought together Malisheva education-focused NGOs to lobby the Municipal Assembly for educational reforms. The project also set up sustainable partnerships between the community NGOs and educational institutions.
Project Name: “Provision on traffic safety measures for inhabitants of Robert Gajdiku Street who are threatened by vehicle traffic”
Organization: Youth Association for Human Rights (YAHR)
Location: Lipjan Municipality
YAHR sought to improve relations between citizens and local government officials, raise the quality of services the local government provides its citizens, promote security for inhabitants of Robert Gajdiku Street, and increase awareness of the danger vehiclular traffic poses to pedestrians. Project activities included meeting with residents and municipal officials, monitoring the Lipjan Municipal Committee for Politics and Finance, and encouraging citizen participation. In addition, YAHR organized trainings entitled “Access to traffic and streets” and produced leaflets promoting citizen awareness of vehicle traffic.
Election Grants
Project Name: “Electoral law reform”
Organization: REFORMA (KIPRED and CDHRF)
Location: Pristina
The REOFRMA coalition informed the citizens of Kosovo about the electoral system and proposed changes to the current system and political processes in general. REFORMA also encouraged civic participation in electoral process, improved election laws, and increased the accountability of elected officials.
Project Name: “Integrity of elections in Kosovo”
Organization: Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED)
Location: Kosovo-wide
KIPRED monitored the election process, political party campaigns, media operations, and parallel vote tabulation. It also conducted civic education and “get out the vote” campaigns and provided analysis and lessons learned from the elections. KIPRED worked to establish a broad coalition of NGOs covering all regions of Kosovo to monitor the election process, research the new election framework and its effects, train NGOs and media members, organize televised debates and press conferences on the election, and publish an analytical paper on lessons learned.
Project Name: “Media outreach for the NGO coalition ‘Democracy in Action – Elections 2007’”
Organization: Institute for Research and Development (IRD)
Location: Pristina
IRD established a high-capacity server able to withstand up to 100,000 clicks per minute for one month, geared especially toward the weeks around the election when clicks are most frequent. The project ensured that timely information about election proceedings was available to journalists and published a brochure to inform NGOs and journalists about the new election legislation in Kosovo. IRD also organized five press conferences to inform citizens and media representatives about the election campaign, voting process, and accounting process.
Project Name: “See you at the boxes”
Organization: Eye of the Vision
Location: Decan, Klina, Istok, and Peja Municipalities
Eye of the Vision increased citizen participation in the November 2007 elections in Decan, Klina, Istok and Peja Municipalities. Major activities included distributing promotional materials and sugar packages with 52 different messages encouraging participation in the election, placing phone calls urging citizens to vote, sending “get out the vote” emails and text messages, and organizing meetings between citizens and mayoral candidates.
Project Name: “Raising awareness of residents for voting and participation in election”
Organization: Independent Cultural Information and Youth Center (Elita)
Location: Vitia Municipality
Elita promoted election turnout, particularly among youth and women and across ethnic lines. Major activities included an awareness campaign, public meetings with residents in five larger towns across Vitia Municipality, four rounds of public debates with various candidates, and radio and TV shows on the importance of participation and voting procedures.
Project Name: “Creation of the environment suitable for successful 2007 elections in Lipjan Municipality”
Organization: Youth Association for Human Rights (YAHR)
Location: Lipjan Municipality
YAHR sought to increase election participation, particularly among minorities, women, youth and people with disabilities, and to raise awareness of voting procedures. Major activities included meeting with citizens in 10 villages across Lipjan Municipality, printing and distributing informational brochures and posters, and forming six groups of citizens to assist voters in Lipjan’s voting centers. The project also organized a mayoral debate on issues related to infrastructure, education, environmental protection, and human rights.
Project Name: “Empowering women candidates in the local and general elections in Kosovo”
Organization: Gender Training and Resource Center (GTRC)
Location: Kosovo-wide
GTRC promoted female voting and candidates. Activities included identification of female candidates in the local and general elections, preparation of candidate biographies, dissemination of brochures on female candidates, and women’s meetings across Kosovo.
Project Name: “Kosovo elections 2007 - yes or no”
Organization: Communication for Social Development (CSD)
Location: Gracanica
CSD connected representatives of the NGO sector, minority political parties, and minority community members, and raised awareness about the importance of electoral participation. The project emphasized minority representation and minority voting. Activities included organizing a two-day seminar in Brezovica with 30 participants representing NGOs, youth, Roma, and civil society and three public debates focusing on the issues of minority communities.
Project Name: “Use your vote”
Organization: Social Dialogue
Location: Pristina
Social Dialogue worked to increase new voter participation and decrease the number of invalid/undercounted votes in the November 2008 election. Major activities included training sessions with target groups at universities, youth centers, and senior centers to encourage voter participation, educate them about their rights, and inform them about the new election system. The project also allowed voters to practice the process using ballots with fake names and parties and disseminated leaflets containing information on election procedures and individual rights and responsibilities.
Project Name: “Voter education for elections process”
Organization: Center for Research and Education (Rekos)
Location: Hasi Region/Prizren Municipality
Rekos promoted voter turnout in the Hasi region of Prizren Municipality, particularly among women and youth. Major activities included youth outreach, 40 meetings of 30-40 women on voting policies and procedures, and four town hall meetings between voters and candidates.
Project Name: “I vote for the first time”
Organization: Peace Doves
Location: Mitrovica
Peace Doves educated young voters, promoted responsiveness among elected officials to youth problems, and increased the number of rural voters by 3%. Main activities included training 12 volunteers for a door-to-door get out the vote campaign and producing and disseminating 5,000 flyers on voting procedures aimed at youth. Peace Doves organized 10 debates in 10 villages with village leaders and candidates, promoted the debates through radio programs, and urged people to vote with megaphone-wielding volunteers.
Project Name: “Use your right- vote”
Organization: Advocacy Center for Progress (AVONET)
Location: Ferizaj Municipality
AVONET promoted electoral participation and decreased the number of invalid votes through voter education in Ferizaj Municipality. Major activities included three public debates with rural youth and a representative of the Municipal Election Commission explaining voting procedures and the importance of voting, as well as informative TV projects illustrating how to vote. AVONET distributed brochures and posters and held an essay competition for high school students on the importance of voting.
Project Name: “Youth in election 2007”
Organization: Radio Youth Wave
Location: Kosovo-wide
Radio Youth Wave empowered young voters to become players in the political process and thus make the system more responsive to their needs and interests. Major activities included journalist research, radio debates on youth topics, and youth discussion groups.
Project Name: “Kosovo Parliamentary and Municipal Elections 2007: get out the vote campaign for the Kosovo Serb community”
Organization: Our Home
Location: Serb communities in Lipjan, Plemetina, Gracanica, Novo Berdo, Partes, Ranilug, Vrbovac, Orahovac, Strpce, Zubin Potok and Zvecan
Our Home’s goal was to increase Serb youth participation in the electoral process and promote campaign messages in the mainstream media that encourage Serbs to vote. Major activities included informal discussions with youth, door-to-door distribution of brochures, and production of radio broadcast materials in partnership with the multiethnic radio organization KOSMA.
Project Name: “Community development”
Organization: Specter
Location: Hani i Elezit
Specter promoted voter turnout and proper voting procedures among the residents of Hani i Elezit villages. Major activities included meetings between the inhabitants of Gurane, Paldenice, Bushe, Krivenik, Seqishte, and Dimce to discuss the electoral system and the importance of voting.
Project Name: “Activist-based get out the vote campaign”
Organization: Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR)
Location: Prishtina, Prizren, Peja, Mitrovica, Gjilan, Ferizaj, Gjakova, Suhareka and Rahovec
YIHR increased the turnout of young voters in the November 2007 elections and promoted critical assessment of political programs through talking directly to young people, convincing them to take part in the elections, and broadcasting “get out the vote” messages in the mainstream media. Major activities included YIHR and its activist network “Nisma Ime” organizing a campaign that invited young people to go out and vote through activities that involved direct contact and communication with young people, such as parties and street activities, promotional materials (posters, stickers, and flyers), and 10-second television advertisements shown during the last week of the campaign.
Project Name: “The vote’s power”
Organization: Women’s Association (VITA)
Location: Strpce Municipality
VITA promoted voting participation among the general public with an emphasis on minorities, women, youth, first time voters, and disabled and rural populations through public information campaigns. The project also sought to increase number of Serb voters from Sterpce Municipality through its get out the vote campaign and public information debate with representatives of 16 villages. A number of polling stations in 16 villages of Sterpce Municipality were visited by members of VITA, who supervised voting procedures and worked to ensure a fair voting process for all demographic groups.
Project Name: “Mission of Hope”
Organization: With Hand in Heart
Location: Mitrovica
With Hand in Heart informed the public, stimulated dialogue, and sought to increase the number of young voters by 5% in Mitrovica. Activities included disseminating 300 posters and 1,500 detailed leaflets throughout the city and hosting six televised debates with citizens and mayoral candidates. After the elections, citizens were invited to debate the performance of their elected leaders.
Project Name: “Blind and partially sighted election participation”
Organization: Kosova Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted People
Location: Prishtina, Gjilan, Ferizaj, Prizren, Peje, Gjakove, Mitrovica
The Association raised the awareness of political parties about the needs and concerns of people with disabilities and educated people with disabilities – particularly the blind and partially sighted – about the election process and political platforms. It also increased popular support for people with disabilities. Major activities included organizing seven roundtable debates with political party representatives discussing proposed projects to help disabled people and call-in radio shows in seven regions with candidates and coalition members addressing citizen questions.
Project Name: “All together for voting”
Organization: Youth Association Rinia
Location: Kamenica Municipality
Rinia educated voters in remote areas of Kamenica Municipality, with the goal of increasing voter turnout, particularly among youth. Major activities included organizing debates between youth and candidates in 15 villages throughout Kamenica Municipality. Rinia also conducted three live radio shows featuring rural youth, mayoral candidates, and media members participating.