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| Our Municipality – My Opportunity |
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 Our Municipality – My Opportunity Since 2006 and program Enclavia, NGO Fractal has strategically advocated for process of decentralization in Kosovo. Decentralisation (delegation of authority to the local level – closer to the citizens) and active cooperation of local governments are among the most important processes in Kosovo. With respect to the specific socio-political, economic, and security context within and around Kosovo today, it is not hard to understand why decentralisation is one of priority issues. It is clear that decentralisation and successful community integration processes are heavily interlinked. Unfortunately, due to various political reasons, Kosovo Serbs are still not participating in full scale in the process of decentralization. They are still not well informed about what this process brings to citizens and how they can enjoy rights given to them by decentralisation. In this respect we are concerned that Kosovo Serb communities, living south of river Ibar, might remain on the margins of the process, while we believe that their inclusion and active participation in this process is one of the key elements of their sustainable development. The Our Municipality – My Opportunity project contributes to inclusion and participation in a crucial way: it gives Kosovo Serbs an opportunity to learn what decentralisation will bring them, their family and their community. It will give them a voice to formulate their concerns and empower them to become active citizens, which is the precondition for social, economic, and political participation and integration. The main goal of the Our Municipality – My Opportunity project is to give modest, but nevertheless important contribution to this process, especially in the establishment of transparent, efficient, and effective communication on the process of decentralisation between and within Serbian communities in Kosovo. Aim of the Our Municipality – My Opportunity project is to inform citizens of the Kosovo Serbian community about the process of decentralisation and to discuss topics in its context. With this project we targeted three locations in Kosovo. Geographical coverage is an important element because of the centralised character of Kosovo. Kosovo Serbs that used to live in cities (e.g Pristina, Prizren, Pec) until 1999 are still displaced, mainly within Kosovo enclaves. People living in cities (e.g. Mitrovica) have more opportunities to get information about important political processes and events happening around them. People living in other places in Kosovo (semi rural areas, so called enclaves) are not informed about political issues and developments. Because of this exclusion (and self-isolation), channels of communication between the Kosovo Serbian community and local, national, and international institutions are rarely open or even non-existent. This is why we decided to select three locations where our activities will take places: Gračanica/Graçanicë, Partes/Partesh, Ranilug/Ranilug. We aim to break the (self-) isolation of Kosovo Serbs and build bridges between Kosovo Serb communities and between Kosovo Serbs and their neighbouring communities. We want to give inhabitants of enclaves a voice so they can be heard by local, national, and international stakeholders. The project will bring politicians and representatives from Pristina and the international community to different areas and places in Kosovo to discuss topics that are important for the future of Serbs in Kosovo, and which are directly linked to the process of decentralisation and integration. Activities Public community hall meetings (debates) – The main aim is to inform citizens about the decentralisation process and to discuss topics in the context of decentralisation. Discussed topics: Community expectations from decentralisation, Facts and figures in decentralisation in Kosovo, Decentralisation and integration, What decentralisation brings to citizens (e.g. politically and economically), etc. Seminar and public performances – With seminar, workshops, and simulation games on the decentralisation process we composed a group of creative young people, well-trained and eager to disseminate information about decentralisation. Through public performances (street performances, theatre shows, TV- and radio clips, art workshops) they informed a broader community in a creative way on topics that are connected with the process of decentralisation. Such creative/cultural events are extremely rare in the Serbian community and through them the attention of the wider audience has been attracted and the message about decentralisation spread. Training on the topics of decentralisation, lobbying, and self-advocacy – The aim of the training is to demonstrate the importance of lobbying and civic activism for the Serbian community within the current processes in Kosovo and to equip participants with practical skills in this field. |