The aim of this study is to present more completely one of the aspects of the topics on which the research within OPEN project was conducted, the purpose of which is measuring the openness of the Kosovo Serb community. Different dimensions of the dialogue will be in the focus of the study, i. e. the normalization process pursued between Belgrade and Pristina with a special emphasis on the impact and practical consequences it has had on this non-majority community.

After more than 20 years since the end of conflict in Kosovo, there are still many open wounds. How to reach reconciliation and normal life? What are the obstacles in the process of transitional justice? What are the greatest challenges which we face today on the road to reconciliation and peaceful coexistence of Albanians and Serbs, but also all other citizens of Kosovo?

Our organization was honored to be one of the thirty four civil society organizations that contributed to the joint civil society Report on human rights.

People in Need is continuing with its small grants schemes for communities in Kosovo in the scope of the project Amplifying Local Voices for Equitable Development (ALVED). This grant scheme is supported by the UK Government’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF).

Current economic cooperation between Kosovo and Serbia is reduced a trade of goods - exports and imports which are also heavy influenced by political obstacles. Currently Serbia returned in Kosovo market with its imports. It counts now about half of their value before the 100% tariff introduction. On the other side Kosovo exports in Serbia remain modest. Currently lower than in Macedonia for 60% and lower than in Albania for about 300%. The 100% tariffs and reciprocity contra-measures to the imports for Serbia and Bosna and Hercegovina were removed by Kosovo, in a spring last year, in account of restarting dialogue in Brussels. On the other side obstacles for Kosovo exporters in Serbia remain the same. Serbia has not responded equally yet to remove several non-tariff barriers e.g. documents related to food exports, additional requirements for standards, labeling of products, obstacles to Kosovo exports and imports for transit through Serbia and similar.  

”Democracy, Openness and Prospects of the Serb Community in Kosovo – Open” is a new initiative of the Kosovo Foundation for Open Society (KFOS), initiated in 2020. Open is realized in cooperation with nine civil-society organizations that are active in the Serb community in Kosovo. 

"The will of politicians also affects the economic cooperation between Serbia and Kosovo" - this was said in the show "Sporazoom" by the advisor to the President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce Nenad Đurđević, the founder of the Riinvest Institute in Kosovo Muhamet Mustafa, and the entrepreneur from Kosovo and director of RTV Kim Isak Vorgučić.