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.
Dealing with the past, surviving the present: Situation and needs of civilian war victims in Serbia, Kosovo and North Macedonia
07/08/2023
The Western Balkans still grapple with the aftermath of the wars that took place between 1990 and 2001. While the war-affected countries have developed economically and in terms of institution building and overall stability, the legacy of the conflicts has not been dealt with effectively and still impacts and shapes social relations between different ethnic groups. These underlying social tensions are entrenched in the social fabric of the Western Balkans and are a key factor in regional politics. As such, although the Western Balkans have moved on from the period of violence, they have not yet transformed into peaceful societies. Alongside good governance and economic development, the transformation of these countries into democratic and peaceful societies is an important element in realising their aspiration to become members of the European Union (EU). The explicit aim of the EU’s enlargement policy for the Western Balkans is to firmly anchor peace by restoring trust among citizens and societies, facilitate reconciliation and good neighbourly relations, and ensure lasting stability
National Principles on Transitional Justice for Victim Groups
28/07/2023
One of the key outcomes of the Strengthening Inclusive Victims’ Voices (SIVV) project was the production of joint sets of locally grounded transitional justice (TJ) principles meaningful to victim groups in North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo, as well as at the regional level.
The primary aim was the establishment of victim-centered and practical TJ principles at the national and regional levels in the West Balkans that are relevant to the daily lives of victims.
This project is a joint initiative implemented in Kosovo, Serbia and North Macedonia, by PAX Peace Movement, International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), Integra, New Social Initiative (NSI), Citizen Initiatives (CI), and Action for Peace (PA), supported by the European Union.
Regional Principals of Transitional Justice
21/07/2023
One of the key outcomes of the Strengthening Inclusive Victims’ Voices (SIVV) project was the production of joint sets of locally grounded transitional justice (TJ) principles meaningful to victim groups in North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo, as well as at the regional level.
The primary aim was the establishment of victim-centered and practical TJ principles at the national and regional levels in the West Balkans that are relevant to the daily lives of victims. The specific objectives of the principles are set out in detail in the preamble
All Our Tears
18/05/2023
All Our Tears flow through four different lenses and write painful stories of our recent past. This unique exhibition is dedicated to the stories of victims of wars in the Western Balkan region. The goal of the installation is to acquaint the general public with the stories and make a plea for support for the victims and other affected groups in the region in their pursuit of truth and justice.
The exhibition consists of 34 original photographs, taken by four photographers in various places in Serbia, Kosovo and North Macedonia. The photographers did not know other yet managed to create a universal story with their photographs and unite the painful memories of ordinary persons and their suffering.
The exhibition All Our Tears aims to advance mutual understanding at the collective and individual level in order to increase social development and cohesion.
Organized by Civic Initiatives, Peace Action, Integra and New Social Initiative, with the support of PAX and ICTJ, this regional exhibition traveled from Belgrade to Skopje and Prishtina, during 2022
Civil Society Report on Human Rights in Kosovo in 2022
10/05/2023
This document presents the annual CSO report on the human rights situation in Kosovo for the year 2022. The report is produced jointly by civil society organizations (CSOs) working in a diverse number of areas relevant to human rights. This report aims to serve as an independent tool to assess the overall human rights situation in Kosovo, thus lling in an existing gap in joint reporting on human rights in Kosovo at the local and international levels, in addition to enhancing cooperation and coordination between CSOs.
The following 37 CSOs contributed to this report:
Activism Roots, Advancing Together (AT), Artpolis, Balkan Sunflowes Kosovo (BSFK), BIRN Kosova, Centre for Equality and Liberty (CEL), Civil
Rights Program Kosovo (CRP/K), Center for Legal Aid and Regional Development (CLARD), Coalition of CSOs for the Protection of Children in Kosovo (KOMF), Democracy for Development (D4D), FOL Movement, Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS), Association of Paraplegics and Paralyzed Children of Kosovo (Handikos), Kosovar Centre for Security Studies (KCSS), Kosovar Gender Studies Center (KGSC), Kosova Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims (KRCT), Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF), Kosovo Law Institute (KLI), Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), Kosovo Women for Women (KW4W), Kosovo Young Lawyers (KYL), Missing Persons Resource Center (MPRC), Network of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Women’s Organizations of Kosovo (RROGRAEK), Nevo Koncepti, New Social Initiative (NSI), NGO Aktiv, Partners Kosova, Roma in Action (RIA), Reconciliation Empowering Communities (REC), Roma Versitas Kosovo (RVK), Save the Children Kosovo, Syri i Vizionit, Terre des Hommes Kosovo, Voice of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians (VoRAE), Vullnetaret e Qytetit (VEQ), Youth Assembly of Ferizaj (YAF), Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Kosovo (YIHR KS), YMCA Kosovo.
From ‘Little Putin’ and ‘Little Hitler’ to Making Peace Together
03/04/2023
New Social Initiative (NSI) held a discussion on March 10, 2023, which brought together Kosovo Albanian and Serb CSO activists, analysts, and researchers in Brezovicë/Brezovica. The main focus of the discussion was on the February 27 meeting in Brussels, the topics discussed during the meeting, and whether a path forward exists for the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities. The discussion provided a platform for all participants to express their viewpoints and opinions on the matter, as well as the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue in general.
Shpetim Gashi summarized the conclusions that arose from the discussion, and the document can be downloaded here. The publication is available only in English.
What are the Kosovo Citizens’ Perceptions on Inter-ethnic Relations?
20/02/2023
The ongoing political issues and unsolved tensions between communities as a result of the war in Kosovo in 1999 continue to present obstacles for the advancement of interethnic relations in the country. Inter ethnic cooperation in Kosovo, particularly between Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs, is still hampered by the inadequate treatment of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violations of human rights.
To date, efforts to break the impasse in inter-ethnic relations have primarily been made in the margins of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, which began in 2011, thus overshadowing a potential process of societal reconciliation and cooperation. As a result, rather than a societal debate that strives to discover commonality and minimize disparities, the perspective of the Serbian and Albanian population in Kosovo regarding the state of their relations and mutual cooperation has remained somewhat hazy and prone to political processes.
Therefore, this report aims to reflect the viewpoint of these two communities on the status of interethnic relations and cooperation in Kosovo based on the findings of the survey conducted as part of the “FIERC – Fostering Inter-ethnic Cooperation and Reconciliation” project, which was launched by the Kosovar Center for Security Studies (KCSS) and New Social Initiative (NSI) at the end of October and beginning of November 2022.
The report consists of four key chapters. The first chapter summarizes the citizen perceptions on the state of inter-ethnic relations in Kosovo, while it is followed by the second chapter focusing on the viewpoints of the citizens on inter-ethnic cooperation. On the other hand, chapters three and four provide a summary of the findings of the survey in relation to the perceived representation of the Albanian and Serbian community in municipal and central level institutions, and acceptance of other ethnic groups in their respective communities.
Time for Smart Integration at Community Level: Challenges and opportunities for improved interethnic relations in Kosovo from local and international perspectives
02/02/2023
Time for Smart Integration at Community Level: Challenges and opportunities for improved interethnic relations in Kosovo from local and international perspectives
This report provides an analysis of the local and international perceptions on the state of interethnic relations and cooperation in Kosovo. The report draws from the discussions of a focus-group with young Kosovars, as well as personal semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders from civil society as well as the public sector. The goal of this report is to help better understand what are some of the challenges are for the betterment of interethnic relations in Kosovo, as well as opportunities to advance interethnic cooperation.
Analysis of obstacles in the process ofreturn of displaced persons from the war in Kosovo between 2017 and 2021
15/11/2022
This analysis aims to map and explain the main obstacles in the previous four years to the return of displaced persons to Kosovo after the armed conflict in Kosovo in 1998-1999, as well as after the wave of ethnically motivated violence in March 2004. The main focus of the analysis is on the security problems of returnees, as well as unresolved property and legal relations. The analysis consists of chapters on the basic problems faced by internally displaced persons in the Republic of Serbia as a result of poor integration, the legal framework for the return of displaced persons to Kosovo, as well as an overview of obstacles in terms of security issues and difficult restitution.