Back Five civil society initiatives to promote equality and combat hate speech receive support

Five civil society initiatives to promote equality and combat hate speech receive support

Five civil society initiatives promoting equality and countering hate speech across Kosovo have received support from the Council of Europe. The projects will help strengthen local responses to discrimination, empower communities and promote more inclusive narratives for vulnerable groups.

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.

Pristina 15 July 2026
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Welcome to the Council of Europe Office in Pristina

The Council of Europe Office in Pristina began its cooperation activities in the areas of human rights, rule of law and democracy in 1999. Since then  the Office has continuously facilitated the delivery of significant programmes of support towards the realisation of Council of Europe standards in practice for all people, assisting key institutions in the process of their democratic reforms.

Our cooperation has so far focused on building the capacities of judges and prosecutors on European Human Rights standards, supporting effective civil society engagement, promoting cultural diversity, providing expert support to legislative development, reinforcing independent institutions such as the Ombudsperson Institution, strengthening the role of the media and working to counteract economic crime and corruption, and elections monitoring. We have also provided the support of our expert monitoring and other mechanisms in line with relevant agreements.

The Council of Europe functions in full compliance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and in this context the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), OSCE Mission, the European Union Office in Kosovo and European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo are among our key strategic partners. Driven by a commitment to addressing local needs, ensuring value-added contributions and reinforcing partnerships, the Council of Europe Office in Pristina actively coordinates efforts with all relevant local and international actors in the field.

You will find further information about the Office, our cooperation and monitoring in the links above, as well as about the work of the Council of Europe in general.

 

 


 

 

  Council of Europe Office in Pristina - Factsheet 2025