Pristina – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) published the new Social Inclusion Assessment Report at an event, engaging communities and other relevant stakeholders in discussing the potentials and obstacles for wider community engagement to support social cohesion.

Within its Social Inclusion portfolio, IOM is implementing the project “Building Societal Connections and Support to Reconciliation and Social Cohesion in Kosovo “, supported by the British Embassy in Pristina, in close collaboration with civil society organizations and local communities. The Project aims to contribute towards a more inclusive society for all communities in Kosovo by supporting their language rights, fostering cooperation and joint initiatives, as well as impartial media reporting, thus building confidence between communities and addressing points of friction for long-term reconciliation. In order to promote positive interaction between youth of different ethnicities, a variety of social and educational activities were conducted including, inter alia, public art projects, sports activities, IT workshops, and outdoor activities.

With the aim to capture the impact of the social cohesion activities carried out within the project and also to gauge public perceptions on social cohesion, a comprehensive surveying exercise was designed and carried out both with beneficiaries and the general public. In total 222 respondents participated in the survey, aged between 15 and 24, members of different ethnic communities. Out of them 101 were project beneficiaries, and 121 respondents from general populations.

IOM’s Chief of Mission Anna Rostocka stated that within IOM’s Social Cohesion project funded by the British Embassy and EU-funded Community Stabilization project, “IOM continues working together with local communities to contribute to a more inclusive multi-ethnic society for Kosovo residents of all backgrounds by supporting initiatives aimed at inter-ethnic dialogue and cooperation.” She added that “recognizing the importance of capturing the impact of our interventions and evidence-based programming, IOM has mobilized its resources to conduct such assessments as presented today.” For the last 20 years IOM has been an active development actor addressing challenges related to societal integration.

Acknowledging the work put forth in producing the assessment report, Edward Lister, Head of External Politics and Reconciliation from the British Embassy in Pristina, said that “producing such an important survey will help us identify future project activities that will aim to improve the inter-ethnic relations.” For the British Embassy, respect and understanding between communities are prerequisites for a society that looks ahead and strives to become part of the European family. “Through this project we create opportunities for different communities, youth and their families, to communicate between themselves, build trust and friendships, learn about each other cultures, and finally think jointly about how they can make Kosovo, but also the entire region, a better place for their families and future generations,” said Lister.

Stating the importance of initiatives in the social cohesion field, Samir Selimi from the EU Office in Kosovo shared examples of social cohesion work within projects funded by the EU. “Over the years we have supported many different projects be it families, businesses, or community-based projects. And all this would have not been possible without a very strong element of inter-ethnic dialogue, inter-ethnic reconciliation, and social cohesion in general. Social cohesion is an overarching dimension of strengthening inter-ethnic relations and increasing the sense of solidarity among members of the community.”

The presentation of the report was followed by a workshop on the potentials and obstacles for wider community engagement in social cohesion initiatives. As a result of the groups’ discussions, an engagement plan will be developed and published.

The event was organized in cooperation with the EU funded Community Stabilization project.

The Social Inclusion Assessment Report is available in three languages on the IOM website.

For more information, please contact Igor Rašić at IOM Pristina, email: irasic@iom.int or Sejdiu Arlindë, email asejdiu@iom.int.