2007

1. Project Title: Materialization of the Component Plans for the Fourth Phase and long-term strategy
Duration: 1 month (April – May 2007)
Location: Macedonia
Implementing organization(s): Syri i Vizionit leading organization assisted by Zavicaj za Povratak (ZZP) Kragujevac, Serbia
Budget: 7,107.08 €
Donor: Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Kosovo Initiative Program (KIP)

Project Aim:

To empower and support youth groups coming from Kosovo and Serbia through regular meetings. These meetings had impact on determination of work and growth of actions initiated by the youth in the past three years, thus contributing to improvement of inter-ethnic relations. Youth Activation Component that acts under the Kosovo Initiative Program is a continuation of the fourth phase since its establishment by the KIP Secretariat Fund in 2004.

Beneficiaries:

Four (4) organizations of the KIP Network, two (2) representative from each member organization, namely people that work in strengthening activities and partnership between the fieldwork and partnership within organizations as well as student groups from 12 secondary schools from Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro.

Project Approach:

This short project will focus on organization of a joint meeting with all KIP partners to discuss about youth development, networking, and education within the Youth Component; developing a detailed action plan for future work of this Component and determining implementation period.

Results:

Increased cooperation among the Youth Component organizations and strengthening of the network;
Determining partnership functioning within the sub-component;
Improved division (determination) of responsibilities among partner organizations;
Improved dissemination of information among partners for all activities of the Component;
Increased number of schools in projects – two more schools added to the actual ten;
Drafted the Youth Component strategy until the end of 2007.

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2. Project Title: Youth for Transparency
Duration: July 2007– August 2008
Location: Municipality of Peja
Implementing organization(s): Syri i Vizionit leading organization with partners Qendra Rinore Atë Lorenc Mazreku, and Municipality of Peja
Budget: 2,252.00 € (1,420.00 + 832.00)
Donor: Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and GTZ, 1,420.00 €, and Municipality of Peja 832.00 € (allocated in 2008)

Project Aim:

This project aims to assist the Municipality of Peja in drafting and preparing the regulation on transparency. The activity will be conducted in close cooperation with the partners in this project and in cooperation with Municipal officials, but on voluntary basis as far as the engagement of the youth groups is considered and other logistic and administrative matters required.

Beneficiaries:

In particular, the direct beneficiaries are the municipality and the local institutions. However, through the implementation of the regulation on transparency, the citizens will benefit directly because they will know how their taxes are spent and simultaneously the can ask for accountability from their elected officials.

Project Approach:

The entire project will be implemented on voluntary basis. The groups engaged will work during the entire period for the public benefit. Most of the activities will be covered through the volunteer groups the two partner organizations will mobilize. The current project entails creation of focus groups combined with municipal officials, citizens and youth from urban and rural areas. In addition, it will include the establishing of working groups to draft (10 persons will be selected from the focus groups) their additional suggestions on the regulation for transparency. Furthermore, a three (3) days training on civic participation will be organized and facilitated by the project implementers with the participation of focus groups. Finally, there will be brochures produced and distributed, press releases, and Radio and TV shows with the aim at informing the citizens about the activity.

Results:

Drafted a regulation on transparency with the group of 10 persons comprised of local institutions, citizens and youth;
Finalized and submitted draft regulation to the Municipal Assembly;
Designed and distributed brochures (800 in Albanian and 200 in Bosnian-Serbian) to inform the public opinion;
Prepared and issued press releases and organized two (2) Radio shows (1 in Radio Peja and 1 in Radio Dukagjini) and one (1) TV show in TV Dukagjini;
Organized and facilitated a three (3) days training on ‘civic participation in decision making’.

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3. Project Title: Information Exchange and dissemination on the return process to Kosovo/Establishment of municipal web-pages in selected municipalities in Kosovo
Duration: 14 months (July2006 - October 2007)
Location: Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro
Implementing organization(s): Syri i Vizionit in partnership with International Aid Network (IAN), Belgrade, Serbia
Budget: 28,708.36 € (25,131.60 + 3,576.76)
Donor: Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Kosovo Initiative Program (KIP)

Project Aim:

This project includes the pilot phase of two months implemented during July - August 2006, and continued with the KIP approval an extension for an additional period of 14 months based on the evaluation and the positive results of the two-month pilot phase. The project aim is to strengthen the cooperation between civil society (KIP NGOs) and Kosovo Municipalities in order to support return and reintegration activities. The cooperation will be promoted through facilitation of the development of municipal web-pages with a focus on the return and reintegration process to Kosovo in five (5) selected municipalities in Kosovo, Istog, Klina, Prizren, Skenderaj, and Mitrovica within a period of 14 months.

Beneficiaries:

Direct beneficiaries are five (5) municipalities around Kosovo, the returning and receiving community, as well as the wide public opinion in Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro through access to information about the returning and reintegration process in general. In addition, local media from Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro will have the possibility to expand their sources of information on returning process.

Project Approach:

The project will be based on cooperation with KIP network member organizations and Municipalities. This project through designing of web pages will be directed toward local authorities, civil society sector in Kosovo, Serbia, and Montenegro, internally displaced persons, and refugees in order to facilitate and support the minority return process by linking IDPs and refugees with their communities from the place of origin through continual flow of reliable and relevant information’s; provide a valuable information resource for refugee/IDP assisting organizations, as well as presenting the issue and problems to decision makers; improve the quality of assistance provided by NGOs, local authorities and business community through exchange of information among themselves; provide regional trainings and workshops on IT for Municipal officials and KIP member NGOs.

Results:

Proper presentation of essential information on the returning process;
Easy and in-one-place updated relevant information, forms, procedures and other resources on IDP, assisting NGOs, local media, municipality representatives and international agencies;
Increased exchange of information among NGOs in the region & higher visibility;
Enhancement of the IT uses among KIP partners.

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4. Project Title: Fourth Phase Meeting for Youth Activation Component – KIP
Duration: 5 months (June - November, 2007)
Location: Kosovo, Serbia, and Montenegro
Implementing organization(s): Syri i Vizionit leading organization assisted by Caritas Kosova/o – Mitrovicë/a, Initiative for Peace (IFP) - Pejë/Pec, and Zavicaj za Povratak (ZzP), Kragujevac, Serbia
Budget: 27,258.00 €
Donor: Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Kosovo Initiative Program (KIP)

Project Aim:

The current project is a continuation of the work with youth within the Youth Activation Component. The project aims to further expand and advance cross-boundary linkages between youth groups, activists and high schools in Kosovo, Serbia, and Montenegro with focus on capacity building. As compared to the previous phases, in this part will be an increase in number of schools and number of students’ simultaneously taking part in youth activities and experience sharing.

Beneficiaries:

Student groups from 12 secondary school of Kosovo and Serbia will be direct beneficiaries as opposed to the previous group of ten (10) schools. In total, direct beneficiaries will be 120 students from these schools as well as other students (indirectly) expected to participate in activities during the implementation of the small fund award.

Project Approach:

This component will be implemented in 12 different locations (6 in Kosovo and 6 in Serbia) and target up to 120 students, 12 per location in average. In terms of geographic coverage the following schools are anticipated to take part: Peja, Mitrovica, Klina, Istog, Gurrakoc and Skenderaj in Kosovo, while in Serbia, Smederevska Palanka, Kragujevac, Kraljevo, and Technical School in Knic. The implementation will consist of networking and outreaching; capacity building, designing and launching of 12 web sites in all 12 participating schools; drive and guide youth groups to draft and submit project 6 in Kosovo and 6 in Serbia; and awarding grants and monitoring project implementation.

Results:

Increased knowledge of students and schools with KIP and youth component functioning;
Functionalized existing websites and created new ones for all the participating schools;
Increased capacity of youth and greater opportunity to transfer the knowledge gained to others;
Established a strong network of 12 youth groups;
Monitored implementation of 12 projects in various fields awarded to students;
Running of 12 websites in respective schools;
Issued KIP and youth component leaflet/brochure.

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5. Project Title: Support to Return of RAE to 7 Shtatori neighborhood– Reintegration through work placement and community mobilization – Phase II
Duration: 16 months (August 2006 - November 2007)
Location: Municipality of Peja
Implementing organization(s): Syri i Vizionit leading organization in partnership with the NGO Visioni 02 Istog
Budget: 26,950.00 € (20,000.00 + 6,950.00) allocated in 2006 while 44,990.00 € in 2007
Donor: Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Kosovo Initiative Program (KIP) 64,990 € (20,000.00 + 44,990.00) &
Dutch Government through Danish Refugee Council (DRC) 6,950.00

Project Aim:

This project is an extension called “Support to Return of RAE to 7 Shtatori neighborhood – Reintegration through work placement and community mobilization - Phase II”. In general terms, the current project principally aims to create conditions for the sustainable reintegration of selected RAE families recently returned from Montenegro to Pejë/Pec town, by ensuring an efficient linking with local businesses operating in the area. After an initial phase of four months from October 2006 till 30th January 2007 and completed under Open Fund 07, the current project covers the remaining ten months of the project till the end of November 2007, under Open Fund 08.

Beneficiaries:

Direct beneficiaries are 8 RAE returned families and 4 families from receiving community as well as 20 children whether being part of the returned families or members of the neighborhood will benefit through social activities and pre-school courses.

Project Approach:

The project mainly consists in a work placement program for eight (8) RAE returnees targeted and four (4) receiving community members (12 individuals in total); it includes in the first place the payment of salary subsidies to local businesses employing the project beneficiaries. Secondly, it foresees some minor capital investments to the selected companies employing the RAE beneficiaries. In addition, it entails a weekly monitoring and follow-up of the selected companies and a regular evaluation of the performance of the twelve RAE workers employed, minor capital investments as part of the work placement project (up to 1,500 Euro per company net capital investment) for each RAE worker they employ and partly subsidize work placement benefit for a total of twelve (12) RAE recent returnees or receiving community members till the end of November 2007. Moreover, it should facilitate two types of community development activities over the period of this project in the neighborhood. This includes the continuation of ongoing pre-school activities for RAE children four times a week, two hours a day for 20 children maximum, and the delivery of a computer literacy course three times a week for two groups of six children each (six hours in total for twelve recent returnees). In terms of communication & information, the current project foresees the facilitation of three (3) radio shows in local media and the release of various articles in printed or electronic media with the aim to increase the visibility of KIP actions and further advocate for the return of RAE displaced to Pejë/Pec town.

Results:

Organized and facilitated computer literacy courses for 20 RAE children;
Organized social activities with pre-school children such as literacy course for 12 children;
Monitored regularly the 12 employees and businesses;
Provided equipment and subsidies to the 12 beneficiaries and the businesses;
Organized and facilitated three (3) radio shows in local media and issued a number of articles and interviews.

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6. Project Title: Together we make better cities
Duration: 5 months (April - August 2007)
Location: Municipality of Peja
Implementing organization(s): Syri i Vizionit
Budget: 2,922.40 €
Donor: IREX/ ATRC

Project Aim:

This project aims to assist in realization of the Urban Planning with particular emphasis in the area of ‘Zatra’ in Peja, identified as an informal individual residence. This would be achieved based on the needs of the inhabitants of the area and their direct participation in the decision making for the benefit of the neighborhood.

Beneficiaries:

Direct beneficiaries of the project are 1300 inhabitants living in 350 houses. In addition, this enterprise would impact in raising awareness of the wide population in the municipality of Peja on how the living conditions can be improved by joint efforts and organization of a better life is possible.

Project Approach:

The project is anticipated to be implemented through a number of activities such as: direct consultations with the urban planers and inhabitants of the area (paying direct visits and organizing a joint workshop), and analysis of the urban, social, environmental and economical situation, (conducting a survey which includes a form of ‘household registration’ of the area).

Results:

Identified and cataloged informal resident areas;
Included all inhabitants of the area in direct participation of the urban planning for the neighborhood;
Increased awareness of the community and their direct participation in urban planning;
Drafted a list of inhabitant’s needs during the SWOT analysis;
Established an adequate database for the area including current situation in the urban, social, environmental, and economical aspect.

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7. Project Title: Action Plan for Reintegration in Llazovic neighborhood in Peja
Duration: 11 months (April 2007 - February 2008)
Location: Municipality of Peja
Implementing organization(s): Syri i Vizionit
Budget: 13,800.00 €
Donor: European Agency for Reconstruction through Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Project Aim:

This project aims to create conditions for the return and reintegration of 30 Serb families with over 120 members from Serbia and Montenegro to their places of origin in Kosovo, namely in the neighborhood ‘Llazovic’, an urban area in the Pejë/Pec Municipality.

Beneficiaries:

Direct beneficiaries are 30 Serb families with over 120 members currently displaced in Serbia and the receiving community in Kosovo. There will be work in groups split into (women, men, and youth) focus groups each having 5 members combined with those planning to return and the receiving community.

Project Approach:

The project largely consists of dialogue activities through focus groups and workshops and of social activities in the field of advocacy and education. In addition, gathering of groups is made up to 5 people/participants maximum in 3 focus groups selected based on three different groups (women, men, and youth) and they will go through a process of training and meeting with each other from both communities. Selections of these groups of people will be conducted based on their articulated will (from both parts) and readiness for working, cooperating and co-living with all the communities in Llazovic neighborhood. Additionally, at all times specific awareness-raising activities in the local media in order to inform the wider public opinion will go on.

Results:

Increased collaboration and contributed to strengthening relations between the relevant groups and community groups;
Established three (3) focus groups consisted of women, men and youth;
Enabled direct contact between the groups and communities;
Established jointly with the communities the agenda for further action in improving conditions in Llazovic neighborhood.

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8. Project Title: OWSEE Portal Network coordination for Kosovo and Albania
Duration: January – December 2007
Location: Kosovo
Implementing organization(s): Syri i Vizionit
Budget: 13,783.20 €
Donor: Through One World for south-east Europe (OWSEE)

Project Aim:

To support and promote the OWSEE Program Areas (projects and initiatives) with focus on specifically the content for the platform in Albanian language edition and networking management/representative for Kosovo and Albania of the OWSEE. The coordination of the activities will be through OW network in SEE Region covering the three main pillars, human rights, civil society strengthening and enhancing partnership with other civil society organizations.

Beneficiaries:

Beneficiaries of this undertaking are all those countries accessing through internet OWSEE webpage and thus gain fast insight about the developments occurring in the area of OW coverage, and in the languages covered by the specific-country readers.

Project Approach:

This project is based on providing mutual cooperation through exchange of online and print materials related to the areas of direct cooperation and information of the public. In addition, the OWSEE enables the readers to gain information about various social, economical and political developments in the area covered by the platform. Communication between members of the network is based on the partnership where each organization exchanges information and materials for a coordinated distribution.

Results:

Covered over 200 various issues and published in Albanian language. The same information was further translated into languages of counties covered by OW;
Engaged on regular basis three (3) persons (networking manager in Kosovo and 2 editors one in Kosovo and one in Albania);
Increased diversity of information provided to other countries covered by OWSEE.

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9. Project Title: Support to Return of RAE in 7 Shtatori neighborhood – Reintegration through work placement and community mobilization – Phase II
Duration: 5 months (December 2006 – April 2007)
Location: Municipality of Peja
Implementing organization(s): Syri i Vizionit
Budget: 19,310.00 €
Donor: Dutch Government through Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Project Aim:

The current project primarily aims to create conditions for the sustainable reintegration of six additional (6) selected RAE families returned from Montenegro to Pejë/Pec town, by ensuring an efficient linking with local businesses operating in the area. In practice, the project consists in a work placement program for sixteen (16) RAE returnees targeted and four (4) receiving community members (20 individuals in total); it includes the payment of subsidies to local businesses employing the project beneficiaries following a total period of 7 months.

Beneficiaries:

This project will be focused in 7 Shtatori neighborhood, in which the return of 25 families is happening and there are different companies that showed readiness to employ people from neighborhood. In addition, 13 members of the neighborhood are direct beneficiaries through employment with local Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Approximately fifty (50) members of their families are indirect beneficiaries.

Project Approach:

This project is a follow-up activity of a previous KIP Open Fund project in 7 Shtatori/7 September Return and Reintegration Project now extending further the work placement program as Phase II. The current project covers a seven months’ project with a focus on economic development through work-placement program. Beside the implementation of this work placement program, the project foresees the development of a training package for businesses interested in employing recent returnees. Such training aims to ensure a full and sustainable recruitment process. All events organized throughout the current project are covered by the local printed media and local radios.

Results:

Organized and facilitated community meetings;
Identified and worked with three (3) local Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in order to employ 6 recent returnees;
Organized, developed, and held a two day training package with a focus on Business Plan Design & Project Development with businesses;
Supervised the recruitment process of a total of six RAE recent returnees/beneficiaries;
Facilitated radio shows in local media and released articles in printed and electronic media.

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10. Project Title: Support to Reintegration of RAE community in 7 Shtatori neighborhood
Duration: 5 months (August – December 2007)
Location: Peja region
Implementing organization(s): Syri i Vizionit
Budget: 6,125.00 €
Donor: Danish Foreign Ministry through Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Project Aim:

This project is a follow up of previous projects offering assistance to neighborhood 7 Shtatori. Concretely the project is focused on mainly pre school activities with the children from the neighborhood from the returning and hosting community.

Beneficiaries:

Direct beneficiaries are 20 children from the neighborhood 7 Shtatori whether being part of the returned families or members of the neighborhood will benefit through social activities and pre-school courses.

Project Approach:

This project is a follow-up of pre-school activities for 20 RAE children on the delivery of a computer and literacy courses. In terms of communication & information, the current project foresees the facilitation of radio shows in local media and the release of various articles in printed or electronic media with the aim to further advocate for the return of RAE displaced to Pejë/Pec town.

Results:

Twenty (20) children from RAE community aged 4-6 benefited from the courses and other activities;
Organized a number of pre-school activities and social activities for the RAE community;
Contributed to improve community center where children could gather;
Facilitated two (2) radio shows and issued press releases.

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11. Project Title: Kosovo Initiative Program (KIP) Visibility
Duration: 7 months (May – November 2007)
Location: Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro
Implementing organization(s): Syri i Vizionit in partnership with IAN
Budget: 9,391.80 €
Donor: Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Kosovo Initiative Program (KIP)

Project Aim:
This project aims at providing reliable information on return process in Kosovo in three languages (Albanian, Serbian and English). The process entails collection and dissemination of data and other necessary facts in order to enable proper planning and facilitate the return progress. The gathered information is planed to be printed and distributed as well as published in municipal web pages including Istog, Klina, Skenderaj, Prizren and Mitrovica.

Beneficiaries:

Direct beneficiaries are Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) currently residing outside Kosovo and the five (5) municipalities that would gain a brochure containing all the information in one place and will have a more up to date webpage with the information on returns process.

Project Approach:

This project entails research and collection of information, design, editing, printing and distributing of brochures. In addition, it includes a variety of other activities to undertake such as, conducting regular meetings with municipal officials to gather information, signing memorandums’ of understanding and other technicalities covering Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro.

Results:

Conducted over 40 meetings with various institutions in Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro in order to gather the most accurate information on return;
Signed 5 memorandums of understanding on joint cooperation on return process with Istog, Klina, Skenderaj, Prizren and Mitrovica;
Printed the brochure in one thousand (1000) copies in color in three languages (Albanian, Serbian and English) separated for each municipality.

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12. Project Title: Democracy in Action - Elections 2007
Duration: 2 months (October – December 2007)
Location: Peja region (Peja, Klina, Istog, Deçan)
Implementing organization(s): Syri i Vizionit in partnership with Democracy in Action
Budget: 25,280.90 €
Donor: USAID / IFES

Project Aim:

Democracy in Action is established with the aim at monitoring parliamentary and local elections organized in November 2007 as well as increasing awareness of citizens to participate in the elections. Part of the Coalition Democracy in Action is 10 Kosovo NGOs. 1. Community Building Mitrovica (CBM): 2. Communication for Social Development (CSD): 3.Center for Civil Society Development (CCSD): 4. Developing Together (DT): 5. Forum for Democratic Initiatives (FDI): 6. Initiative for Progress (INPO): 7. Kosovo Centre for International Cooperation (KCIC): 8. Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI): 9. Mother Theresa Association: 10. Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED).

Beneficiaries:

Direct beneficiaries are the entire population of Kosovo. In particular, a number of persons involved in the process as monthly and daily observers will benefit in training on election process and system in Kosovo. Moreover, through the voters education campaigns will benefit all voters in general while in particular the undecided ones.

Project Approach:

The project entails monitoring of election campaigns of political parties, media monitoring, voters’ education campaigns, election process, parallel voting tabulation and publishing of preliminary results.

Results:

Monitored over 100 rallies during election campaign period;
Engaged 5 long term observers (LTO) for a period of one month;
Engaged over 300 short term observers (STO) on the election day;
Hold over 50 trainings for STOs and LTOs for a period of 10 days;
Organized a campaign on voters’ education a week prior to Election Day.

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13. Project Title: See You at the Box – Election 2007
Duration: 1 month (November – December 2007)
Location: Peja region
Implementing organization(s): Syri i Vizionit
Budget: 5,193.39 €
Donor: IREX/ATRC

Project Aim:

Increase of the citizens’ participation in Elections 2007 in Peja region, which includes four municipalities: Deçan, Klina, Istog and Peja.

Beneficiaries:

Direct beneficiaries are the citizens residing in Peja region target of this project which comprise over 200.000 inhabitants. Through various awareness activities during a period of one month, it is aimed to contribute to increase the number of voters on the Election Day.

Project Approach:

This project consists of activities related to awareness campaigns and voters’ education during the election campaign in November 2007. This enterprise entails appeals to go to vote through promotional materials, phone calls, stickers, leaflets, t-shirts, sugar packages, posters and e-mail distribution.

Results:

Greater number of citizens informed with the importance of taking part in elections;
Participation of citizens in debates;
Gathering opinions from the telephone calls made;
Increase awareness of citizens with programs of four candidates for mayors in Peja, Istog, Klina and Deçan.

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14. Project Title: Strengthening Democracy Efforts in Kosovo through Peace building Initiative
Duration: 16 months (June 2007 – September 2008)
Location: Peja region
Implementing organization(s): Syri i Vizionit
Budget: 21,931.00 €
Donor: United Nations Democracy Fund through CARE International

Project Aim:

The overall goal of this project is to reduce interethnic conflict in targeted communities in Kosovo through initiatives that strengthen reconciliation. With this project partner organizations will work closely with municipal government authorities and civil society organizations in undertaking activities aimed at supporting them to address and manage inter-ethnic conflict at community level.

Beneficiaries:

Beneficiaries are all communities living in the Peja region covered by this project. This includes not only the minority community but the majority as well. In addition, the municipal government and civil society will benefit from the assistance in capacity building.

Project Approach:

The project will focus on capacity-building interventions aspiring at increasing the quality of local government services to the communities with ethnically mixed populations, as a critical component for establishing trust and sound working relationships between municipalities and communities. Furthermore, the project will focus on supporting civil society organizations and municipal governments to identify the root causes of conflict and ways of addressing them, in order to end the cyclical nature of violence in Kosovo.

Results:

Engaged through training 25 representatives of civil society organizations in conflict resolution, mediation and rights-based programming;
Promoted community structures (village councils), inter-ethnic participation, cooperation and accountability;
Assisted in initiating 3 community initiatives to improve the quality of life of minority and marginalized groups such as women;
Increased participation of civil society organizations in local government decision-making structures.