Back Three Grant Agreements supporting ethical journalism and minority rights signed in Pristina

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Three Grant Agreements supporting ethical journalism and minority rights signed in Pristina

On 24 July, the Council of Europe Office in Pristina signed three grant agreements with representatives of civil society and media, namely Centre for Affirmative Social Actions (CASA), Radio KiM, Reporteri, Community Building Mitrovica (CBM), and Radio Kontakt Plus. The main purpose of the grants is to strengthen media professionalism, foster cross-community collaboration, and enhance media literacy, contributing to a more ethical, inclusive, and professional media landscape in Kosovo.

These objectives will be achieved through a range of activities implemented by such organisations and media outlets, including support to cross-community journalism initiatives, production of multilingual news content and stories, youth-focused media literacy training aimed at strengthening skills in evaluating information credibility and understanding journalistic ethics. Collectively, these efforts aim to enhance public awareness of minority issues and relevant European standards, foster a more informed and inclusive public dialogue, and safeguard the language rights of all citizens of Kosovo.

This call for proposals was launched in the framework of the Council of Europe Project Fostering Societal Cohesion by Reinforcing Minority Rights and Minority Languages, and its third component on raising public awareness on the rights of national minorities and relevant European standards, including the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

Pristina 24 July 2025
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Goal

The proposal aims to foster reconciliation and societal cohesion at different levels of society allowing for rights-holders from minority groups to better enjoy their rights. This will be achieved by ensuring the implementation of the recommendations of the Advisory Committee of the FCNM, notably those contained in its Fifth Opinion on Kosovo*, and of the Committee of Ministers’ Resolution CM/ResCMN(2023)12 on the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Kosovo and the integration of relevant European standards, including the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, in the work of the institutions.

The project started on 1 July 2024 and will be implemented until 30 June 2026.

What is the goal and objective of the project?

Main goal of the project is enhancing implementation of the relevant legal framework on national minorities, in line with European standards.

By doing this, it will raise awareness on the rights of national minorities and foster reconciliation and societal cohesion at different levels of society, enabling minority rights-holders to better exercise their rights.

How does the project work?

The project will work at different levels, with activities addressed at central and local institutions, civil society organisations, youth and religious leadership, and the media.

This will include, among others: assisting the Technical Working Group in charge of the Co-ordination of the Implementation of the Recommendations for the Framework Convention; training law enforcement officials to address hate crimes based on ethnic or religious grounds; supporting the development of training modules based on Council of Europe minority standards and their rolling in the higher education sector; enhancing the use of official languages in municipalities; local initiatives addressing youth, civil society and local authorities to raise awareness on the daily impact of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities on their lives; micro-grants to minority media.

What do we expect to achieve?

Working with institutions in charge of minority issues at national and local level, the project will integrate the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) standards in their daily work.

By cooperating with public administration and the higher education sectors, the project will enhance the use of minority languages in these two domains, in line with European standards, in particular the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

Through a series of targeted initiatives, the project will raise institutional and societal awareness on the rights of national minorities and relevant European standards.

*All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.

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Project at a glance

Duration: 24 months (July 2024 - June 2026)

Beneficiaries :
► All citizens and communities, particularly ethnic or linguistic minorities communities.
► Civil society organisations engaged in promoting and protecting human rights.

Funding: Council of Europe Action Plan for Kosovo* 2022-2025.

Budget: 700.000 EUR.

Project team

Betim Zllanoga, Senior Project Officer, Pristina
Lindita Hoti-Shala, Project Assistant, Pristina

 Contact us

 Council of Europe Office in Pristina

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