"Kosovo/a Initiative" Assessment Mission
R E P O R T
2003
DRC Job no. 503-556
Supported by FRESTA
5.X.3.Balkan.2
4.1.2. Conclusions and recommendations - Kosovo:
Return related
- Continue and enhance information-exchange mechanisms among stakeholders in Kosovo and other parts of the region (Serbia proper, Montenegro, Macedonia) regarding key information for IDPs and refugees from Kosovo, aimed at informed decision-making.
- Continue work across boundaries in order to facilitate the minority return process through go-and-see visits, information visits, material support to returnees and their families until full sustainability is reached.
- Facilitate further involvement of local NGOs and IDP associations in the relevant local structures in communities of return, such as Municipal Working Groups (MWG) and Regional Working Groups (RWG), simultaneously enhancing their ability to prepare, submit and implement return projects based on "Concept Paper" mechanism.
- Allow appropriate exchange for linking NGOs and businesses, in order to achieve better sustainability of return through income-generating projects and market access for returnees and their wider community.
- Related to the above, explore the possibility of establishing a pilot project and later on a proper network of TELECENTRES or Tele-cottages, based on the already tested experiences in Bosnia, Serbia and other countries of the SEE.
NGO development related
- Strengthen the capacity of civil society actors in Kosovo through skills building, training, networking, material and project support, as well as through meaningful partnerships with international NGOs.
- Enhance the capacity of local NGOs to work with and influence local communities, making them more tolerant and therefore more conducive to return. This should involve upgrading their lobbying and advocacy skills, visibility and knowledge of relevant structures.
- Establishing of an "NGO Transition and Development" type of project in Kosovo would be a worth while exercise and if well targeted could significantly improve the level of NGO development and influence better service provision and sustainability of organizations.
- Enhance cross boundary aspect of NGO work, through various types of exchange with NGOs in Serbia proper, Macedonia and Montenegro - mutual visits, conferences, experience sharing, joint training sessions, common advocacy projects on human rights and related issues, secondments, shadowing programmes, study visits, etc., among interested organizations.
- Establish closer links among existing local networks in order to improve information exchange, skills and experience sharing as well as performance of individual organizations.