Position: Junior researcher

The results of recent statistical research conducted by NGO AKTIV in Serbian communities south of the river Ibar show the alarming position that young people find themselves in.  The research revealed that only 32% of people between the ages of 18 and 30 questioned as part of the survey expressed a desire to stay and build a life in their current place of residence in Kosovo. A proportionally similar number of respondents claimed that they had either made a firm decision to leave (35%) or that they were seriously considering it (33%.) Young people in Kosovo view unemployment as the main cause of outward migration (48.5%) as well as higher living standards in other areas (19.5%.) Among respondents who expressed a desire to leave their current place of residence, 56% claimed that they plan to do so in the next three (3) years.   Responses also show that local governments do not have sufficient understanding for young people (66%) and they in general they are not responsive to the needs of young people (74.6%.)  This research was conducted as part of the Point One Program within the Framework of the Civic Energy Center project that is supported by the Kosovo Fund for Open Society.

Five years after reaching the Brussels agreement, Serbs are not fundamentally integrated into Kosovo society and with the establishment of the Association of Serbian Municipalities, Serb municipalities will be put out and more than 20,000 Serbs may remain without wages, it was said in the debate at the Social Club of Mitrovica which was held last night in North Mitrovica.

Training for civil society organizations has been completed with the topic "Cooperation between Media and Civil Society in Addressing Corruption" in the city of North Mitrovica, training is organized by NGO Aktiv and  CiviKos within the project USAID Transparent Effective and Accountable TEAM. This training provides opportunities for continuing to gain knowledge of public procurement with a focus on addressing corruption. On this occasion certificates were shared for all participant. 

"Cultural currents, where do they take us?" was the name of the recent debate held on 11 April in the Mitrovica Social Club. Andrijana Živanović, Director of Home of Culture "Stari Kolašin" and Predrag Radonjić, Director of the National Theater of Pristina, based in Gračanica, talked about the state of culture in Serbian communities in Kosovo.

The signatories of this public statement, a group of non-governmental organizations, after discussions with witnesses, participants in the roundtable discussion held in North Mitrovica on the 26^th of March 2018 as well as analyzing video footage of the event, condemn in the strongest possible terms the unequivocal use of extraordinary force on the part of the Special Forces of the Kosovo Police against citizens, meeting participants and journalists covering the event.

Creating a favorable climate where young artists will want to stay and create, as well as developing the awareness that tradition is not something that is necessarily inherited, but something gained through active participation in its creation are the key recommendations of the participants in the debate on culture and art in the Serb community in Kosovo, which was held last night at Mitrovica Social Club in North Mitrovica.