Local Goods Market in Mitrovica

A food market was organized near the Ibar Bridge in Mitrovica, in order to enable local entrepreneurs from the north and south of Mitrovica to present their handmade products. The event was organized as part of the Conflict Reconciliation and Transformation event, conducted by Community Building Mitrovica (CBM), partner organizations New Social Initiative (NSI) and Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR Kosovo) and with the support of USAID in Kosovo.

The purpose of this action is the best economic cooperation between Serbs and Albanians, which, according to the organizers, would contribute to the development of their communities.

01: 20-02: 00 “Today we have 10 local businesses from North and South Mitrovica. This idea actually came from the business owners themselves, because at the beginning of the project we formed an informal group of citizens from different spheres, who are activists, people doing business, the problem was the connection between these two sides and where can complement the businesses and we have decided to give them space to present their products to each other and help them to have some sustainability in their business “, said Milivoje Raicevic, CBM Public Relations Officer .

Visitors had the opportunity to see many handicrafts, but also a good mood among the merchants.

“There is no politics here, there are no conflicts, trade and business are something that unites people of all nationalities, so cooperation is always good,” said Vesna Generalović.

“This is something noble for the people who live here and I am happy to take part in such a joint project, why not stay and share our experiences, collaborate, sell together and trade with each other. “, Said Pakiza Kosova.

“I think that we should make bigger promotions in wider spaces and that we should be given more support from other institutions and help us as much as possible to show what we are doing,” said Ljiljana Drazeljic.

The Reconciliation and Transformation project started in 2020 and will last until 2025, while the food market is just one of the activities.

Storytelling with Afërdita and Nemanja

Afërdita Sylaj Shehu and Nemanja Nestorović are jointly running an NGO Community Building Mitrovica (CBM), operating in Mitrovica region whose mission is to contribute towards peace. They come from Kosovo Albanian and Kosovo Serb communities, living in a divided city of Mitrovica.

Living in Kosovo’s everchanging developments, the unstable political situation that dictates the normal life of the citizens can be somewhat amplified in a place divided only by the bridge, which unfortunately still serves as a dividing point.

CBM through its work wants to bridge the divide between communities, bring people together, enable the space for communities’ dialogue, addressing pressing needs. In our storytelling event, we invited Aferdita and Nemanja to share their stories reflecting on their important work together.

Asked how he felt when he joined CBM, Nemanja said that the environment was healthy, easy-going, and hard-working, which debunked his prejudice in the back of his mind of one NGO consisting of multiethnic staff.

“I always felt comfortable. I realized that CBM consisted of hard-working community members, who believed in changes in the city the same as I did.”

Reflecting on the personal feeling and the pressure from the surroundings, Afërdita shared that it wasn’t always easy as the times were more challenging, and the division was more present than ever. “Unstable situation affects us all, and our work in CBM too. But not only the work, but also our personal happenings. When I celebrated my wedding, I invited all my colleagues, but that brings the question of whether everyone would feel comfortable from my Serbian colleagues. That just shows the situation we live in, that even happy occasions are thought twice. I am happy that my colleagues were there and celebrated an important day for me, and we all had fun.”

In an outdoor space, 30 guests enjoyed listening to Afërdita and Nemanja. When asked about the relations outside of the work, are Nemanja and Afërdita friends, Nemanja replied: “Of course! We spend most of the time together during the day, more than the time we spend with our family, and I can say that CBM is in a way, my second family. We share all happy and sad moments. Our morning starts with joint coffee, over laugh, talking about hot topics, and the workday is off to a good start”.

Afërdita shared the same feelings as Nemanja and added that “The cooperation and friendships are possible and are happening, as Nemanja and myself are serving as a good example. I am also happy to see that the cooperation among communities is better nowadays. The bridge is used more frequently by the people from one side to the other, visiting shops, going to work, and I am happy that I am part of and contributing to that change.”

The evening ended with questions from the audience who wanted to know more about their work and funny anecdotes from Afërdita and Nemanja’s joint work.

#RCT storytelling activity is an ongoing initiative, with the goal to enable space for generating positive reconciliation messages from an individual level to the wider audience in Kosovo. The activity is gathering individuals who share positive reconciliation examples, thus inspiring a wider audience for connection with neighboring but still divided communities. These stories will be shared with media outlets on the local and national levels, to further reach out to the wider audience and reinforced positive healing and reconciling messages through media and citizen-centered reporting, focusing on shared values and trust-building.

Storytelling Night with Artists: Culture should replenish us, not divide us

Stories are a powerful trigger for emotional response. They create a participatory and immersive experience for the audience, it resonates with the people and connects them on an emotional level. Having this in mind, Reconciliation and conflict transformation (RCT) team uses storytelling nights to provide space for individuals from Kosovo Albanian, Kosovo Serb, and other communities, to share their stories on how they found a way to communicate, work, and bring to life shared ideas with members of other ethnic or religious communities.

So far, we have organized two storytelling activities and you can read about the first one in People who practice the same profession – Journalists about inter-ethnic cooperation between media workers (hyperlink)

This time around, we gathered in the art gallery Aquarius in North Mitrovica with our storytellers – two female artists, a Kosovo Serb Miljana Dunđerin, and a Kosovo Albanian, Nora Prekazi.

Miljana and Nora spoke about the loss they suffered because of the ‘99 conflict, and which, in one way or the other transcends to all members of society. Both lost their homes and now live in a divided city – Mitrovica.

“We can choose to live in the past, but I personally don’t want that. I feel sorry for what happened to both me and Nora, but I personally decided to move on, to work on myself and make a difference in the community I live in through my passion for art,” said Miljana.

Nora’s message was no different from Miljana’s. Driven by a joint passion for art, she stated she cherished mutual understanding with Kosovo Serb community and wanted to make a difference and contribute to the society she lives in too.

Despite the challenges they face, societal tensions, and fear of being judged by their surroundings, Miljana and Nora found a way to create art and help others express themselves. Since they met, they collaborated on various projects such as poetry nights and poetry debates.

In 2020 they organized the “Zana” fest, with the intent to promote women in art. They urged artists to submit poems in Albanian and Serbian that tackled the gender issues and translated them into both languages.

“I was surprised by some of the feedback I got from some of my Kosovo Albanian acquaintances from Prishtina, and their worry about having my name associated with translations of poems into Serbian Cyrillic alphabet. That just shows the kind of challenges we are still facing and the level of disconnect with the people within and outside of our communities,” said Nora.

That does not stop these two associates and friends from continuing to do what they do.

Nora and Miljana spoke to a mixed audience. Among close to 30 people in the gallery, were people from South and North Mitrovica but also two women from Croatia, who expressed their surprise that events that promote positive reconciliation stories taking place.

“I come from Croatia where the reconciliation process is still ongoing many years after the conflict. Seeing initiatives like this makes me extremely happy and optimistic not only for the situation you live in here but for mine too,” said the guest from Croatia.

This optimism was welcomed, but with the recognition that the reconciliation efforts are not without their challenges, with the time that it takes for it to be achieved being the most difficult.

“Not having enough time in the world to talk and create,” replied Miljana half-jokingly when asked about it.

Yet both artists vouched to continue cooperating and communicating daily. They also announced their next project – the continuation of the “Zana” festival when they plan to gather women poets from Roma, Bosniak, and Gorani communities and celebrate Kosovo women and their unity in diversity.

Their final message to the audience included words of encouragement – support divided communities to reconnect in any aspect they are passionate about and keep your intentions pure or you will not be able to achieve this goal.

Storytelling activity is an ongoing initiative with the goal to enable space for generating positive reconciliation messages on an individual level and sharing them with the wider audience in Kosovo. The activity gathers individuals who have positive reconciliation examples and want to share them to inspire a wider audience to connect with their neighboring communities.

RCT activity is implemented by CBM (Community Building Mitrovica) and partners from NSI (New Social Initiative) and YIHR (Youth Initiative for Human Rights) Kosovo and supported by the American people through USAID (United States Agency for International Development) in Kosovo.

People who practice the same profession – Journalists about inter-ethnic cooperation between media workers

The profession should be the main language of journalists – urged one of the participants in our Storytelling Evening, Telegrafi journalist Elfije Boletini.

At the event organized at NSI terrace, journalists from the Serbian and Albanian communities in Kosovo discussed the inter-ethnic cooperation of media workers and the obstacles they face in their work.

“We as human beings simply should not notice the term Albanian, Serb, Turk, Bosniak because we all are people who practice the same profession. Our profession will always connect us, and when that happens there is no other language, religion, or any other difference. I see all my colleagues as journalists, and I ask them to cooperate in order to receive or provide information,” added Boletini.

The media workers also stressed the importance of joint reporting by journalists from different communities for conveying a story that is as close to reality as possible and having diversified acquaintances with whom one can exchange contacts.

Milica Radovanović, who worked for several local portals and wrote a story for a regional Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, spoke about a joint study visit to Germany with Albanian colleagues which proved to be crucial for much of her future work.

“Six months after the trip I was working on a story and I needed some contacts from people who are normally very difficult to reach. I, as a Serb, despite all efforts, could never get to them, and their statements were essential to the quality of my text. And it was precisely those people with whom I have been on that study trip who helped me, shared their contacts with me, and thanks to that I managed to write my story,” testified Radovanović.

Another local journalist and DW correspondent, Milica Andrić Rakić, stressed that joint reporting by journalists from different communities is also important for the diversity of the perspectives in the stories.

“A standard is slowly being set for some very sensitive topics, where the double perspective is very important for the reporting to be balanced, to be done by journalists from different communities. I think this is the most important reason why it is necessary to have cooperation between journalists because the media is one of the most important windows into the world and if you are surrounded by one-sided reporting which does not involve different perspectives, it is a bit unrealistic to expect people to become aware by themselves and for them to walk around looking for that other perspective.”

Journalism student and social media influencer, Donjeta Zahiti, saw also the importance of inter-ethnic cooperation for the development of investigative journalism in Kosovo.

“Investigative journalism is the kind which journalist in Kosovo cannot really practice because of the lack of security. However, if we cooperate with Serbian journalists, I believe that would make us stronger, more confident that we have reliable information and that we can really become investigative journalists.”

Storytelling Evening was organized in late June when a group of ten people from North and South Mitrovica and Pristina gathered in the early evening hours on our rooftop in North Mitrovica, ready to exchange their stories and experiences with interethnic cooperation between media workers.

The storytelling evening was organized not just to bring together young professionals, but also to introduce the Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation program to the local media.

This was one of many activities of the five-year-long Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation program that News Social Initiative is implementing in partnership with Community Building Mitrovica and Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Kosovo.

It is supported by the American people through USAID in Kosovo.

Call for application for an Expert on the development of the Think and Do Tank Strategy Document

New Social Initiative and its partners in Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation activity have established that there is a lack of Think and Do Tanks in Kosovo and specifically in the region of Mitrovica that would provide recommendations and solutions to bridge the existing gap between the communities. Therefore, NSI, Community Building Mitrovica, and YIHR Kosovo, with the support of USAID have decided to establish a Think and Do Tank. The first step in this direction is the development of an organizational strategy with the support of an expert.

The 2021- 2024 organizational strategy should:

Be based on a basic review of the previous work of Think Tanks in Kosovo with a critical and learning lens (which fields are other Think Tanks particularly effective and successful in, which fields are lacking, etc.)
Contain updated context analysis, including anticipated trends and adaptation measures that Think and Do Tank should take to position itself in the given environment
Draft a compelling vision of the organization informed by consultation of different stakeholders, target groups, and governance bodies and outlining the Think and Do Tanks unique value
Articulate clear strategic objectives and spell out the intervention logic, approach, and capacities that Think and Do Tank should deploy to achieve them
Map the implications of the strategy on the internal structure and processes and chart a clear operational plan to make the actions required for the implementation of the strategy
Create a sufficient basis for Think and Do Tank to articulate measure and articulate its results

Individual consultants or a team of consultants possessing the qualifications outlined below are invited to apply.

Demonstrated track record of successfully facilitating participatory strategy development
Demonstrated experience in facilitating organizational development of Think Tank/ non-profit organizations, including in relation to the development/revision of organizational structures
Knowledge of Mitrovica, Kosovo, and regional (Western Balkans) context (socio-political context)
Familiarity with the topics of peace, reconciliation, conflict transformation, human rights advocacy, youth activism, social entrepreneurship, the functionality of institutions, CSO development
Experience with the development of Monitoring and Evaluation plans
Program design & methodological experience in relation to Peace and reconciliation fields of work will be considered an asset
Experience with donor relations will be considered an asset.

If you are interested in supporting our strategy development and meet the criteria, please send us your application at office@newsocialinitiative.org with the subject heading “Strategy development procurement” no later than August 6th, 2021. Your application package should include:

Expression of interest indicating your understanding of the assignment and relevant skills and experiences with strategy development, including the CVs of all engaged.
Proposed methodology and related timeframe; In case you are applying as a team of consultants your methodological offer should also clarify how you will divide the work.
Financial proposal comprising detailed quotation for the assignment, showing working days and expected fee, as well as the availability
Contact details of two references/previous clients that can comment on your ability to accompany strategy development

The document below constitutes the specifications of the framework, the purpose, standard criteria to carry out the services required, and instructions for applying.

Terms of Reference ToR – Development of the Think and Do Tank Strategy Document

Poziv za prijavu za eksperte za razvoj strateškog dokumenta Think and Do Tank-a

Nova društvena inicijativa i partneri na aktivnosti Pomirenje i transformacije konflikta, su ustanovili da na Kosovu, a posebno u regionu Mitrovice, nedostaje istraživačkih centara koji bi pružili preporuke i rešenja za premošćavanje postojećeg jaza između zajednica. Stoga su NSI, CBM i YIHR uz podršku USAID-a odlučili uspostave istraživački i praktični centar (Think and Do Tank). Prvi korak u tom smeru je izrada organizacione strategije takve organizacije uz podršku stručnjaka.

Organizaciona strategija za period 2021. – 2024. treba da:

Se zasniva na analizi dosadašnjeg rada istraživačkih centara na Kosovu sa kritičkim i poučnim osvrtom (u kojim oblastima su postojeći istraživački centri posebno efikasni i uspešni, u kojim oblastima nema razvijenih istraživačkih aktivnosti, itd.),
Sadrži analizu trenutnog konteksta, uključujući buduće trendove i mere prilagođavanja koje istraživački i praktični centar treba da preduzme da bi se pozicionirao u datom okruženju
Pripremi nacrt ubedljive vizije određene uz konsultacije sa različitim zainteresovanim stranama, ciljnim grupama i organima uprave i koja oslikava jedinstvenu vrednost istraživačkog i praktičnog centra
Artikuliše jasne strateške ciljeve i navede logiku intervencije, pristup i kapacitete koje bi istraživački i praktični centar trebalo da ima da bi oni bili ostvareni
Označi na koji način će strategija uticati na unutrašnju strukturu i procese i predstavi jasan operativni plan za sprovođenje akcija potrebnih za sprovođenje strategije
Stvori osnovu da istraživački i praktični centar artikuliše mere koje će preduzeti i očekivane rezultate.

Konsultanti i konsultantski timovi koji imaju kvalifikacije navedene u nastavku se pozivaju da podnesu svoje prijave:

Proverljive pređašnje rezultate uspešnog olakšavanja procesa izrade strategija
Proverljivo iskustvo u razvoju istraživačkih centara ili neprofitnih organizacija, uključujući i iskustvo sa planiranjem ili revizijom organizacionih struktura sličnih organizacija
Poznavanje društveno-političkog konteksta regiona Mitrovice, Kosova i regiona (Zapadni Balkan)
Poznavanje tema kao što su mir, pomirenje, transformacija konflikta, zagovaranje ljudskih prava, aktivizam mladih, socijalno preduzetništvo, razvoj OCD-a, funkcionisanje institucija
Iskustvo sa izradom planova za monitoring i evaluaciju
Iskustvo u razvoju programa i metodologija u oblasti mira i pomirenja je prednost
Iskustvo sa odnosima sa donatorima je prednost.

Ako ste zainteresovani da pružite podršku razvoju naše strategije i ispunjavate kriterijume, pošaljite nam svoju prijavu na office@newsocialinitiative.org sa naslovom “Strategy development procurement” najkasnije do 6. avgusta 2021. Vaša prijava treba da sadrži:

Izraz interesovanja u kojem ćete označiti kako razumete zadatak i koje relevantne veštine i iskustva u razvoju strategija imate, uključujući i radne biografije svih angažovanih
Predlog metodologije i vremenski okvir; U slučaju da se prijavljujete kao konsultantski tim, vaš predlog metodologije treba da sadrži i informacije o podeli posla
Finansijski predlog sa detaljnom ponudom za sprovođenje zadatak, brojem radnih dana, očekivanom dnevnicom i informacijama o dostupnosti
Kontakt informacije dve osobe / prethodnih klijenata koji mogu potvrditi vašu sposobnost da radite na pisanju strategije

Dokument u nastavku definiše okvir, svrhu i kriterijume za obavljanje potrebnih usluga, kao i uputstvo za podnošenje prijave.

Informacije o projektnom zadatku ToR – Development of the Think and Do Tank Strategy Document

Storytelling & Documentary screening with Bardhyl Dobroshi and Milan Dobric

On Monday 19th of July evening we brought together two artists from north and south Mitrovica, to tell how they use art to break ethnic barriers in this city. Bardhyl and Milan mentioned an activity of CBM as the occasion for meeting with each other few years ago, which was the starting point for working together, and above all, for becoming close friends. They managed to implement several art projects together, addressing social issues with street art and beautifying the walls with murals.

The event that was held at 7 Arte, sparkled a lot of curiosity among art enthusiasts of diverse ethnic background from Mitrovica, who attended and turned the event into a meeting point for all.

Art indeed unites people.

This event is part of the activity “Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation”, which is implemented by the CBM in partnership with Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Kosovo (YIHR KS) and New Social Initiative – Nova društvena inicijativa. The event is supported by the American people through USAID Kosovo.

A Photo Exhibition to Reminisce about Mitrovica in the Past

„The exhibition gave the opportunity for previous generations to remember Mitrovica as it once was, and for younger generations to see the stories of Mitrovica in the past and get inspired with the positive aspect of peaceful cohabitation in Mitrovica and its region”, this was the main message sent out during a photo exhibition organized yesterday in the vicinity of the main bridge on Ibar.

Photo exhibition „Photographs of Mitrovica in the past” was organized by Community Building Mitrovica (CBM) and implementing partners Youth Initiative for Human Rights Kosovo (YIHR) and New Social Initiative (NSI). The exhibition was organized as part of the Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation activity (RCT) supported by the American People through USAID.

“This project aims to contribute towards creating space for addressing needs of the different ethnic groups on the individual, community, media, and institutional level, and bring forward a positive example of cohabitation and shared valued among communities”, said the Executive Director of CBM, Aferdita Sylaj Shehu in her welcoming speech.

The event was attended by the members of different communities from South and North Mitrovica. Photos of Mitrovica in the past were displayed on several panels on the south side of the bridge, providing citizens and passersby with the opportunity to enjoy the photographs and reminisce in enjoyable recollection of the past.

“Pictures show different aspects of life in Mitrovica in the past: workers, sportspeople, youth, women. We wanted to remind everyone of how the city looked in the past”, said Stevan Vukadinović, Project Manager at CBM wishing the attendants an enjoyable time.

The exhibition was made possible with the help of the member of RCT’s informal group of citizens, Fehmi Ferati, a civil society activist and entrepreneur.

“Everyone in South and North Mitrovica needs to be reminded that the history of this city is not only its past 20 years but the 100 years before that too. It had a rich heritage, a heritage everyone should be proud of,” said Ferati who provided the photos and whose passion for this idea helped the RCT team immensely.

The exhibition is one of the many upcoming activities within RCT activity. One of the others under preparation is Coffee Fest, planned for the first week in September.

Open Call – Expert in Peace Building and Education

The Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation Activity is looking for an Expert in Peace Building and Education to prepare the transformational non-formal education program.

The transformational non-formal education program aims to become an alternative material for peace education with young people and teachers within the existing formal education. The program will be aimed at secondary schools, non-formal education organizations, and other educational institutions and practitioners in civil society.

The document below constitutes the specifications of the framework, the purpose, standard criteria to carry out the services required, and instructions for submitting the application.

Download the document: https://yihr-ks.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Expert-in-Peace-Building-and-Education-Open-Call.pdf

All interested parties should submit their CV, cover letter, and accompanying documents of previous work providing expertise latest by July 16, 2021, at apply@yihr.org

RCT: Storytelling evening with media workers

How is your newsroom organized? Do you have difficulties getting official information? Are public officials respectful to journalists? These are some of the questions that could be heard during yesterdays’ storytelling event with young journalists, media workers, and students of journalism.

A group of ten people from North and South Mitrovica, and Pristina gathered in the early evening hours on NSI’s rooftop in North Mitrovica ready to exchange their stories and experiences with interethnic cooperation between media workers.

Some of the participants have had no experience with cooperation with journalists from different ethnic groups, but those who did say that this cooperation is mostly based on the exchange of contacts and introduction to sources. The one journalist who did have experience in joint reporting with another journalist from different ethnic groups underlined the importance of such cooperation as the exposure to different perspectives starts with the media landscape.

The storytelling evening was organized not just to bring together young professionals, but also to introduce the Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation program to the local media.

Stay tuned for a video reportage from the event by a local portal, Alternativna.

This was one of many activities of the five-year-long Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation program that Community Building Mitrovica is implementing in partnership with News Social Initiative and Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Kosovo. The program is supported by the American people through USAID in Kosovo.

Call for Application for media content developers

The Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation Activity is looking for an Expert on documentation and creative audio/visual contents. The primary objective of the assignment is to facilitate four storytelling events, document the content from them in video and audio format, and prepare four stories based on the recorded content.

The stories will be published on the website rctkosovo.com, social networks, and other media.

Storytelling events aim to engage youth in expressing their vision of cohabitation and reconciliation with different communities. The events topics will include sensitive approaches to subjects that are of common interests for everyone, such as creative writing, design, art, music, etc. through which the youth will learn how to creatively express their visions.

The document below lays out the specifications of the framework, the purpose, standard criteria to carry out the services required, and instructions for submitting the application.

All interested parties should submit their offers latest by June 18 (Friday), 2021 at office@newsocialinitiative.org

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