Nearly 20 years after the conflict in Kosovo, conflict narratives continue to fuel mutual suspicion and mistrust between the communities. According to IOM research from 2018, more than 70 percent of Kosovo-Albanian youth and 72 percent of Kosovo-Serb youth have never interacted with their peers from another community!

Human exchange and peer-to-peer learning beyond ethnic, religious and other boundaries are essential for strengthening the abilities of young people to start building a new future while developing resilience to mis- and disinformation and divisive narratives.

Recent Achievements:

• In 2022, UNMIK partnered with a Kosovo-based multi-ethnic network of young astronomers, the Astronomy Club of Kosovo, to revitalize the defunct Pristina Observatory into a multi-ethnic youth scientific hub. The observatory, closed to the public for over 35 years, reopened on 13 July 2022 and is now hosting weekly outreach and educational activities. Read more here.

• In June 2022, UNMIK also supported the launch of the first youth-led TV programme in Kosovo, Youth Heroes: United in Diversity by YMCA Kosovo, featuring a multi-ethnic team of young change-makers who develop creative solutions to issues such as bullying in schools and hate speech. Read more here.

Other success stories:

The easiest way to cover 10KM in the rain – UNMIK-supported project reaches young people to promote the environment, health and multi-ethnic friendship | UNMIK (unmissions.org)

Scoring goals of togetherness: The first multi-ethnic girls’ football tournament in Kosovo celebrates strength and diversity | UNMIK (unmissions.org)

Colors of solidarity: Youth from Kosovo communities create collaborative street art at Muralfest Kosovo 2022 | UNMIK (unmissions.org)

Looking Skywards: Sharing their Passions and Building Trust, Kosovo Youth Come Together Under the Stars | UNMIK (unmissions.org)

“Colors of Nature with Uta and Miljana”: Bilingual Children’s Book Celebrates the Diversity of Kosovo | UNMIK (unmissions.org)

KOSOVO’S YOUNGEST ENVIRONMENTAL WARRIORS MEET ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPION AS THE WORLD CLEARS ITS LUNGS ON ENVIRONMENT DAY | UNMIK (unmissions.org)

Climate Action for Peace: Young environmentalists in Kosovo unite for a better future | UNMIK (unmissions.org)

Kosovo’s 1990s Generation Take Reconciliation Personally | Balkan Insight

The community that plays together stays together | UNMIK (unmissions.org)

Playing their way to a better community | UNMIK (unmissions.org)

Music Connecting Communities: The Story of Mitrovica’s Multiethnic Rock School | UNMIK (unmissions.org)