UNDP released today the Public Pulse Analysis on Reconciliation and Coexistence in Kosovo which explores people’s perceptions on inter-ethnic reconciliation process, its problems, challenges, and opportunities aiming to learn how institutions, donors, and international organizations can best support reconciliation in Kosovo from people’s perspective.

For the purposes of this study an opinion poll with a total of 451 Kosovan respondents and additional 12 focus groups were conducted during June-July 2019  carried out in seven multi-ethnic municipalities, namely: Prizren, Mitrovicë/Mitrovica south, Mitrovicë/Mitrovica north, Kamenicë/Kamenica, Shtërpcë/Štrpce, Graçanicë/Gračanica, and Istog/Istok.

"As daily interactions in a multi-ethnic environment increases, the comfort level of living with other ethnicities also increases, “ said Ms. Christina T. Davis, Director, Democratic and Governance Office, for USAID Kosovo and concluded that “ We should work to ensure opportunities for people from different ethnicities to come together to address the common challenges and find common solutions, while seeing their differences as a benefit and not an obstacle."

Maria Suokko, UNDP Resident Representative addressing the media emphasized:  “Over the last 17 years, in partnership with USAID, we have gathered data and information which have translated into insights ranging from perceptions on democratization, economy, political direction, safety and security - to how diverse ethnic communities in Kosovo see themselves and other communities.”

“A common point of departure - when working to build trust and social cohesion among communities - is to look at how they interact with each other. We have used this concept through the “Inter-community Dialogue through inclusive Cultural Heritage Preservation” project supported by the EU – which aims to break down the barriers between communities through shared interests,” she concluded.

Below are some of the key findings from the Analysis:

• The involvement of international community was considered as very important by 47% and as somewhat important by 31% of respondents. In addition, participants in several focus groups outlined the importance of international community as facilitator of the reconciliation process.

• The majority of respondents in the municipalities of Graçanicë/Gračanica (92%) and Mitrovicë/Mitrovica north (73%), claimed to be somewhat or very uncomfortable living in a multi-ethnic environment. In addition, the majority of respondents from Mitrovicë/Mitrovica north believe that reconciliation is not necessary (60%).

• Although ethnic groups differ in their understanding of the concept of reconciliation, they all agree that punishing those who committed crimes during the conflict and building good inter-ethnic relations is vital to achieving reconciliation in Kosovo. In addition, participants in focus groups believe that there are many ‘open wounds’ from the conflict which should be dealt with before reconciliation can be achieved. Kosovo Albanians also said that the issue of missing persons from the conflict is also a significant barrier in this regard.

• Almost half of respondents are dissatisfied with the work of public institutions of Kosovo regarding the promotion of reconciliation. In addition, respondents largely believe that the public institutions of Kosovo have not done enough to support victims who experienced human rights abuses during the conflict.

• Public safety is an issue of concern for 46% of Kosovo Serbs who claimed to feel at least somewhat unsafe outside. There is a strong positive correlation between the level of respondents feeling safe out and their perspective on the possibility of reconciliation.

• During focus group discussions, Kosovo Serbs said that Kosovo Albanians do not want to reconcile, and Kosovo Albanians said that Kosovo Serbs are the ones that do not want reconciliation. However, survey findings revealed that most people of both ethnicities support inter-ethnic reconciliation in Kosovo.

• In the municipality of Shtërpcë/Štrpce, Kosovo Serbs and Kosovo Albanians said that the municipality and NGOs should work together to design programmes and activities that bring local Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs together as means of facilitating reconciliation. Furthermore, focus group participants of all backgrounds mentioned cultural differences, including the language barrier, as an obstacle.

Public Pulse project is generously funded by American people through USAID.

For more information, please contact:

Burbuqe Dobranja, UNDP Communications Associate

Phone: (038) 249 066 ext. 410;   mobile: 049 720 800      e-mail: burbuqe.dobranja@undp.org

Danijela Mitić, Communication Associate UNDP

Phone: (038) 249 066 ext. 412;    mobile: 049 720 824     e-mail: danijela.mitic@undp.org