Kosovo School for European Integration

The Kosovo School for European Integration provides specialist teaching on the idea and historical, political and economic characteristics of the EU, as well as the prospects of Kosovo and the surrounding region for European Integration.

Description

The Kosovo School for European Integration is a well established institution which offers a unique program for education on the idea of the EU, and its and historical, political and economic characteristics. It teaches participants about the EU’s legislative framework, policies and policy processes, about Europe as a global player, and the prospect of the region and Kosovo for European Integration.

Since its founding in September 2005, four generations with a total of 203 participants have attended the Kosovo School for European Integration. Every year, two generations of the School are organised on applying the lessons learned.

Aims / Objectives

Through its focus on European Integration, the Kosovo Civil Society Foundation (KCSF) board of governance aims to promote better knowledge of the functioning of the EU, raise public awareness, and promote dialogue on the project of European Integration. Communication and information activities aim to facilitate a better understanding, coherence and consistence in the approach towards European Integration.

The people of Kosovo, coming from all different ethnic groups, are convinced that the integration of Kosovo in EU is the best thing for them all. Recent studies have shown that the majority of people in Kosovo from all ethnicities are in favour of the EU and they would like to see Kosovo being a part of the EU.

The aim of this initiative is to use best practice training and capacity building to enhance the knowledge of local civil society organisations and their role in society. This initiative has contributed to placing civil society in a more active role advocating for the needs of the whole society.

How it is Articulated

• Lectures - The school brings together 70 participants twice a week for one semester. The sessions are held as 2-hour seminars. Each lecture teaches an interesting and important aspect of the European Integration process and is followed by discussion session. Lectures are in English and Albanian and translation is provided.
• Open Lectures - To enrich the curricula the organisers of the school invite key decision and policy makers in Kosovo for an Open Lecture to present the most up to date issues in the field of European Integration.
• Regional Conference – Half way through the program a regional conference is organised to share knowledge and acquaint participants with the experience of the countries in the region and learn from their path towards European Integration.
• Seminar / Study Visit to Albania – The opening 2 day seminar as well as a 3-day seminar by the end of the School on drafting public policy papers takes place in Durres, Albania. The closing seminar is accompanied by a study visit to the Albanian Ministry of European Integration, the Parliament and influential NGOs and Think Tanks which focus specifically on applying the lessons learned.

Achievements / Learning points

• 270 projects granted to individuals and local NGOs in the fields of Cultural development, Social work, Environmental protection, cross-ethnic peace-building;
• 403 scholarships for RAE students;
• 15 publications;
• More than 100 basic and advanced training sessions to educate target groups about the EU; and
• 200 graduates from Kosovar School for European Integration.

Geographical Area of Operation

The activities of KCSF take place throughout Kosovo, contributing to development of civil society organisations in every region and at the EU level.

Organisations Involved

• Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF);
• European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR);
• Kosovo Foundation for Open Society (KFOS);
• Balkan Trust for Democracy (BTD);
• British Council;
• Friedrich Ebert Stifftung (FES), Germany;
• Community Development Fund (CDF);
• DANIDA – Dialogue Development (Denmark);
• Olof Palme International Center
• USAID – OTI;
• Open Society Institute (OSI);
• Alternatives Canada, and
• Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)