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NSI in Media

Fields of work

Normalization of relations/dialogue

NSI contributes to normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina

Beograd – Pristina; Photo: EPA / Valdrin Xhemaj

NSI facilitates open exchange on the Brussels dialogue and normalization process among opinion-makers from civil society from Kosovo and Serbia. Moreover, NSI provides evidence-based independent analyses and recommendations for decision-makers involved in the process.

Key Assumptions:

–   There is a need for fostering a regular in-depth dialogue between civil society actors engaged in the normalization of relations from both sides, so to be able to propose improvements to the Track I dialogue among the officials based on an in-depth understanding of internal political dynamics and sentiments on both sides and NSI is well-positioned to facilitate such dialogue.

–    NSI will represent and include diverse representatives of the Kosovo Serbs community in the dialogue between civil society actors from different sides, which will add important voices and perspectives to the process.

–   NSI is capable of delivering high quality analysis using the evidence collected through qualitative and quantitative research, and producing recommendations for which NSI is able to advocate with decision makers.

To see the projects we are implementing or have implemented in the area of Normalization of relations/Dialogue, see our Reference List.

Normalization of relations/dialogue

NSI contributes to normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina

Beograd – Pristina; Photo: EPA / Valdrin Xhemaj

NSI facilitates open exchange on the Brussels dialogue and normalization process among opinion-makers from civil society from Kosovo and Serbia. Moreover, NSI provides evidence-based independent analyses and recommendations for decision-makers involved in the process.

Key Assumptions:

–   There is a need for fostering a regular in-depth dialogue between civil society actors engaged in the normalization of relations from both sides, so to be able to propose improvements to the Track I dialogue among the officials based on an in-depth understanding of internal political dynamics and sentiments on both sides and NSI is well-positioned to facilitate such dialogue.

–    NSI will represent and include diverse representatives of the Kosovo Serbs community in the dialogue between civil society actors from different sides, which will add important voices and perspectives to the process.

–   NSI is capable of delivering high quality analysis using the evidence collected through qualitative and quantitative research, and producing recommendations for which NSI is able to advocate with decision makers.

To see the projects we are implementing or have implemented in the area of Normalization of relations/Dialogue, see our Reference List.

Trustbuilding and Dealing with the Past

New Social Initiative supports different approaches to Trustbuilding and Dealing with the Past initiatives among communities

NSI intents to achieve several outcomes in order to meet this goal:

– NSI will be the channel of positive stories on inter-ethnic relations and reaching wider public by offering the innovative communication tools for visual and public affairs influencers (YouTubers, Instagramers, TikTokers, Journalists, Professionals and CSOs);

– NSI will be the convener and facilitator for structured exchange of attitudes and opinions, thus supporting trust building and collaboration among CSOs speaking on behalf of different ethnic groups in Kosovo;

– NSI will harvest and spread counter-narratives and positive stories, thus creating space for exchange and dialogue by partnering with media and digital outlets across Kosovo.

Key Assumptions:

–   New innovative solutions for trust building will resonate better with citizens, especially youth, and the positive frame of the inter-ethnic relations could disrupt diminish the strength and malign influence of the negative narratives they were socialized in;

Photo: Emerging Europej

–  “Pockets of Freedom” or forums, which remove the publicity constraints, will strengthen the bonds between CSOs from different communities, thus increasing the trust between them and allowing them to establish stronger coalitions on crucial societal topics, especially those related to the inclusion of the non-majority communities;

–  Engaging different audiences with opposite narratives on the same topic will soften the rooted stereotypes about the “other” communities and address the grievances from the past, and will fertilize the ground for trust building.

To see the projects we are implementing or have implemented in the area of DwP/trust-building, see our Reference List.

Trustbuilding and Dealing with the Past

New Social Initiative supports different approaches to Trustbuilding and Dealing with the Past initiatives among communities

Photo: Emerging Europej

NSI intents to achieve several outcomes in order to meet this goal:

– NSI will be the channel of positive stories on inter-ethnic relations and reaching wider public by offering the innovative communication tools for visual and public affairs influencers (YouTubers, Instagramers, TikTokers, Journalists, Professionals and CSOs);

– NSI will be the convener and facilitator for structured exchange of attitudes and opinions, thus supporting trust building and collaboration among CSOs speaking on behalf of different ethnic groups in Kosovo;

– NSI will harvest and spread counter-narratives and positive stories, thus creating space for exchange and dialogue by partnering with media and digital outlets across Kosovo.

Key Assumptions:

–   New innovative solutions for trust building will resonate better with citizens, especially youth, and the positive frame of the inter-ethnic relations could disrupt diminish the strength and malign influence of the negative narratives they were socialized in;

–  “Pockets of Freedom” or forums, which remove the publicity constraints, will strengthen the bonds between CSOs from different communities, thus increasing the trust between them and allowing them to establish stronger coalitions on crucial societal topics, especially those related to the inclusion of the non-majority communities;

–  Engaging different audiences with opposite narratives on the same topic will soften the rooted stereotypes about the “other” communities and address the grievances from the past, and will fertilize the ground for trust building.

To see the projects we are implementing or have implemented in the area of DwP/trust-building, see our Reference List.

Citizen participation

NSI is working on increasing non-majority participation in decision making processes for the purpose of getting better services and making institutions more accountable

Source: NSI photo archive

NSI works to achieve this goal on both supply and demand side of the citizen participation: 1) on the demand side, the outcomes of our engagement are the benefits that citizens have by utilizing the mechanisms of citizens’ participation, and 2) the creation of low profile community spaces which will support resonant voices; 3) on the supply side, the outcomes of our activities will be established and improved participation mechanisms in the institutions (in mostly Kosovo Serb majority municipalities).

Key Assumptions:

–    The increased demand for the better services will boost the efficiency of the institutions and increase their accountability;

–    Resonant voices are reluctant to speak out because of the non-pluralistic nature of the political arena of the Kosovo Serb community, but their participation in closed group discussions will encourage them to speak up in the future and preserve social capital required for any collective action;

–   Kosovo Serb majority municipalities will be open for cooperation on non-controversial issues, and will accept the citizen participation mechanisms.

To see the projects we are implementing or have implemented in the area of Citizen Participation, see our Reference List.

Citizen participation

NSI is working on increasing non-majority participation in decision making processes for the purpose of getting better services and making institutions more accountable

Source: NSI photo archive

NSI works to achieve this goal on both supply and demand side of the citizen participation: 1) on the demand side, the outcomes of our engagement are the benefits that citizens have by utilizing the mechanisms of citizens’ participation, and 2) the creation of low profile community spaces which will support resonant voices; 3) on the supply side, the outcomes of our activities will be established and improved participation mechanisms in the institutions (in mostly Kosovo Serb majority municipalities).

Key Assumptions:

–    The increased demand for the better services will boost the efficiency of the institutions and increase their accountability;

–    Resonant voices are reluctant to speak out because of the non-pluralistic nature of the political arena of the Kosovo Serb community, but their participation in closed group discussions will encourage them to speak up in the future and preserve social capital required for any collective action;

–   Kosovo Serb majority municipalities will be open for cooperation on non-controversial issues, and will accept the citizen participation mechanisms.

To see the projects we are implementing or have implemented in the area of Citizen Participation, see our Reference List.

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Publications
27/01/2025

This report explores the challenges and opportunities for integrating Kosovo’s Serb community across key sectors such as education, healthcare, cultural heritage, and the economy. The findings are based on primary data collected through two focus group discussions with the Kosovo Serb community in North Mitrovica in August’24 and with the Kosovo Albanian community in September’24, alongside an analysis of secondary sources, including legal documents, reports, and expert analyses.

Our analysis indicates that meaningful integration of the Kosovo Serbs is closely tied to the broader political normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Without significant progress in this area, efforts to integrate Kosovo Serbs will most likely face resistance from this community. The Kosovo government’s approach toward the Kosovo Serb community should shift toward a discourse that promotes existing rights granted by Kosovo’s Constitution and the Ahtisaari Plan.

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Publications, Uncategorized
23/01/2025

New Social Initiative monitors media and social media in cooperation with Pikasa Analytics INC, a data analytics company specializing in developing and implementing tools, software, and machine learning algorithms. The tool allows monitors to count the nominal number of articles on particular topics and see the level of audience engagement. Engagements on websites are defined as news articles from each outlet’s website shared on Facebook and the total number of likes, shares, and comments they have collected. Social media engagement encompasses likes, shares, and comments gathered from all social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn) for all posts, including photos, videos, and text. The assessment of engagement extends beyond the media outlets to encompass a variety of social media accounts, including those of politicians and opinion makers.

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Uncategorized
20/11/2024

On October 31st, 2024, New Social Initiative (NSI), in collaboration with the Institute for Social Policy Musine Kokalari, hosted an expert discussion in Pristina on the challenges and opportunities in the Kosovo-Serbia normalization process. The event brought together experts, policymakers, and community leaders to exchange insights on the dialogue, the role of international actors, and the future of integration and minority rights in the region.

The conclusions from the discussion are summarized and available in English, Albanian and Serbian.

This report is a part of the project Dialogue, Solutions Future. This project is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and is implemented by the New Social Initiative (NSI) and Institute for Social Policy Musine Kokalari (ISP Musine Kokalari). The views expressed in this this report do not necessarily reflect the official views of the German Federal Foreign Office.

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Uncategorized
14/11/2024

On September 25th and 26th, 2024, the New Social Initiative (NSI), Kosovar Centre for Security Studies (KCSS), and Sbunker convened the third annual Kosovo Peace and Democracy Summit (KPDS) in Pristina, gathering over 160 civil society leaders, policymakers, and experts from the Western Balkans and the European Union. This year’s summit theme, Radical Realities: Ethno-Political Dynamics and Euro-Atlantic Integration in the Western Balkans, addressed the tensions between rising ethno-political radicalization and the region’s commitment to Euro-Atlantic integration.

KPDS continues to serve as a regional platform for fostering dialogue, understanding, and collaborative strategies to counter threats to democracy, peace, and integration.

The conclusions from the discussion are summarized and available only in English.

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Uncategorized
08/11/2024

On October 24th, 2024, New Social Initiative (NSI), in collaboration with the Institute for Social Policy Musine Kokalari, hosted an informal discussion in Pristina on the positions of Kosovo and Serbia in future negotiations. This gathering offered a platform for participants to share their insights, exchange perspectives, and engage in constructive dialogue on the evolving dynamics between Kosovo and Serbia in upcoming diplomatic talks.

The conclusions from the discussion are summarized and available in English, Albanian and Serbian.

This report is a part of the project Dialogue, Solutions Future. This project is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and is implemented by the New Social Initiative (NSI) and Institute for Social Policy Musine Kokalari (ISP Musine Kokalari). The views expressed in this this report do not necessarily reflect the official views of the German Federal Foreign Office.

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Uncategorized
08/11/2024

The informal discussion during the Kosovo Peace and Democracy Summit brought together US and EU diplomats to share their perspectives on the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue and ongoing normalization efforts. The diplomats stressed the importance of sustained dialogue, despite limited progress, and highlighted the EU’s Growth Plan as a key incentive for integration.

The conclusions from the discussion are summarized and available only in English.

This is published as part of the project “Strengthening Youth Civic Participation in Political Processes” implemented by New Social Initiative (NSI) funded by National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

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Uncategorized
06/11/2024

New Social Initiative monitors media and social media in cooperation with Pikasa Analytics INC, a data analytics company specializing in developing and implementing tools, software, and machine learning algorithms. The tool allows monitors to count the nominal number of articles on particular topics and see the level of audience engagement.

Engagements on websites are defined as news articles from each outlet’s website shared on Facebook and the total number of likes, shares, and comments they have collected. Social media engagement encompasses likes, shares, and comments gathered from all social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn) for all posts, including photos, videos, and text. The assessment of engagement extends beyond the media outlets to encompass a variety of social media accounts, including those of politicians and opinion makers.

View Fullscreen

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Uncategorized
14/10/2024

New Social Initiative is conducting online media and social media monitoring in
cooperation with the Pikasa Analytics INC, a data analytics company specialized in
development and implementation of tools, software and machine learning
algorithms. The tool allows monitors to count the nominal number of articles on
particular topics and see the level of audience engagement.


Engagements on websites are defined as news articles shared on Facebook from
each outlet’s website and the total number of likes, shares, and comments they
have collected. Engagements on social media encompass likes, shares, and
comments gathered from all social media channels (Facebook, Instagram,
YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn) for all posts, including photos, videos, and text. The
assessment of engagement extends beyond the media outlets to encompass a
variety of social media accounts, including those of politicians, and opinion makers.

View Fullscreen

by
Uncategorized
10/10/2024

This paper examines barriers encountered on establishing
Association/Community of Serb-majority Municipalities in Kosovo. This issue
lies at the heart of ongoing tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, following
the 2013 Brussels Agreement. The establishment of the ASM, designed to
grant limited self-governance to Serb-majority municipalities, has been a
focal point of the EU-mediated dialogue between the two countries.
Despite its intended role as a compromise to ease ethnic tensions, the ASM
has become a highly contested entity, raising significant political, legal,
and security concerns.


This paper explores the challenges related to the ASM’s formation by
analysing key agreements, legal documents, and public sentiment. Among
the central issues are the conflicting interpretations of the ASM’s role,
fears of enhanced autonomy undermining Kosovo’s sovereignty, and the
constitutional hurdles that have stalled its implementation. The ASM
debate reveals deep-rooted ethnic and political divisions within Kosovo,
while also highlighting broader geopolitical stakes involving Serbia’s
influence. This paper delves into these dynamics to better understand why
the establishment of the ASM remains unresolved and a source of tension in
the region.