Public participation

The Mission works to ensure full, equal and meaningful participation of the general public in policy and decision-making processes. Its work is focused on three key societal actors—youth, women and civil society organizations—and their intersections. This inclusive approach ensures the involvement of various communities, persons with disabilities, and individuals from remote and hard-to-reach areas, transforming them into active stakeholders who serve as positive examples and drivers of societal change.

OSCE Dialogue Academy for Young Women

The OSCE Dialogue Academy  for Young Women is the Mission's flagship activity in this field of work. In collaboration with the Mission to Serbia, it engages young women from Prishtine/Pristina and Belgrade in topics ranging from dialogue to peace-building, conflict resolution, gender equality and women empowerment. This contributes to advancing the Women and Youth Peace and Security agendas. The Academy fosters personal connections and maintains dialogue between participants while promoting better inter-community relations. The Mission strengthens the capacities of the Academy network, which comprises 230 members, including through an extrabudgetary OSCE project.

EmPOWER initiative

The Mission supports the participation of women at the local level through the EmPOWER initiative, which strengthens the capacities of local female politicians and facilitates mentorship opportunities between them and experienced members of Kosovo Assembly. By working with Local Women's Caucuses, the Mission enhances the work and impact of these local participatory mechanisms, enabling them to have greater impact in their communities and beyond.

Civil society engagement

The Mission also promote the sustainability of civil society organizations and their active engagement in public life by enhancing their capacities and providing tailored mentorships to address their specific needs. The Mission creates spaces, such as the annual Civil Society Forum, for diverse civil society organizations to co-ordinate and discuss key societal issues, including the civil society organizations' role in empowering young people to become agents of change or their contributions to build a resilient and inclusive society.

Youth legal and strategic framework

The Mission contributed to the reform of Kosovo’s youth framework by providing key input and expertise in drafting new youth legislation, including the Law on Youth and relevant by-laws. Building on these achievements, the Mission continues to support the development and operationalization of Kosovo youth infrastructure on central and local levels, while supporting youth activists and youth organizations.