The Council of Europe Office in Pristina has awarded five grants to civil society organisations working to combat discrimination and hate speech and to reduce the stigmatisation of vulnerable groups across the country. The five selected organisations represent communities and groups from different regions: the United Youth Task Force, Sekhmet Institute, Kosovo Disability Forum, Mus-e Kosova, and the Union of Social Workers of Kosovo.

The supported projects aim to strengthen the capacities of school psychologists to prevent and address hate speech and discrimination in schools; support youth-led responses to hate speech through partnerships with municipal and educational authorities; build the capacities of journalists and media professionals to identify and responsibly report on hate speech affecting LGBTI+ communities; and reduce hate speech and discriminatory attitudes towards persons with disabilities by promoting inclusive narratives and fostering a culture of respect and social cohesion.

This initiative is implemented under the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”. It contributes to Kosovo's alignment with European anti-discrimination standards, supports the implementation of the Block the Hatred. Share the Love! 2.0 initiative, and responds to the recommendations of the latest EU Progress Report in the area of fundamental rights.