Competing for Peace in Kosovo

SFCG’s country pogram in Kosovo, the Center for Common Ground (CCG) is partnering with the YMCA to organize youth competitions in Pristina, Prizren and Mitrovica.  These competitions aim to increase youth creativity and encourage engagement in their communities.

A group of youth presents its project in front of the Evaluation Committee, in Pristina

The competition participants, between 15- and 22-years old, previously received training by CCG Kosovo in leadership, conflict transformation and project management skills.  More than 100 of these youth, grouped into teams of three to five, submitted projects promoting peace and tolerance.  Teams were made up of youth with Albanian, Serbian and Roma ethnic backgrounds, promoting interethnic cooperation.

The teams presented their projects to representatives from CCG Kosovo and the YMCA as well as the local and national government for judging.  The best ten projects were then awarded grants of EUR 2,500 to implement their project.

Several of the winning projects will be implemented in rural areas, providing an opportunity for youth from marginalized and remote areas to directly participate in the democratic processes in their communities.  A multi-ethnic youth team from Prishtina will produce a short video promoting common values and a positive future for all young people within Kosovo.  The clip will be aired on TV!  Another team will organize basketball tournaments for youth from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Each winning team will work to implement their respective programs, promoting positive change and youth participation in their communities.

Additionally, CCG Kosovo has two Public Service Announcements (PSAs) in production, which will be broadcast on national TV.  These PSAs focus on the work of the youth teams, thus highlighting positive examples of constructive youth participation and inter-ethnic cooperation.

To learn more about SFCG’s programs in Kosovo, please visit our website here.