On Wednesday, April 30, NGO Aktiv presented the publication “Trend Analysis 2024” in Pristina, showcasing the results of a survey on the attitudes of Kosovo Serbs regarding key socio-political issues, security, trust in institutions, and future perspectives in the community.
This year’s findings confirm the continuation of troubling trends — including a deep sense of insecurity, profound institutional mistrust, and growing pessimism. Particularly alarming is that over 50% of respondents said they would leave Kosovo if given the opportunity. The lowest levels of trust are directed toward the Government of Kosovo and Serb MPs in the Kosovo Assembly, who were rated with the lowest possible score.
Miodrag Milićević, Executive Director of NGO Aktiv, stated that the data reflects a long-standing and systemic crisis of trust. “Trend Analysis confirms that the Serb community in Kosovo continues to face deep insecurity. What is especially worrying is that over 50% of respondents would leave Kosovo in the next five years if they had the opportunity.”
“Security remains one of the key challenges, especially in the northern municipalities. Meanwhile, 72% of respondents do not trust any political party or politician. While we note a slight increase in trust toward the European Union, overall trust in local and international institutions remains very low.”
According to the survey, 66% of respondents know someone who has left Kosovo, and in the north that number rises to 70.9%. The main reasons for leaving, the Analysis shows, include political instability, lack of rights protection for the Serb community, and personal safety concerns.
Commenting on views regarding the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities, Milićević noted: “40% of respondents see the ASM as the most acceptable institutional solution for improving the status of Serbs in Kosovo, but there is growing pessimism about its realistic implementation.”
The average rating for reporting by Serbian-language media in Kosovo is 3.28. According to Darko Dimitrijević, Editor-in-Chief of Radio Goraždevac, the modest increase in trust is encouraging, but major challenges remain.
“Unfortunately, journalists continue to face many obstacles. We try to present the facts clearly and objectively, and the public is starting to recognize that. Still, I’m not satisfied. In recent days, we’ve had several incidents in Goraždevac, and it is concerning that people turn to the media before contacting the police.”
Jovana Radosavljević, Executive Director of the New Social Initiative, emphasized that the Serb community does not perceive Kosovo institutions as its own.
“Trust in Kosovo’s institutions is collapsing. We’re witnessing a deep institutional crisis. At the same time, there are no political representatives who enjoy the trust of the Serb population. This has led to a leadership vacuum in representing citizens’ interests.”
NGO Aktiv representatives concluded that the Serb community faces serious challenges that require concrete political action and institutional accountability.
Trend Analysis is a tool for better understanding the position of Serbs in Kosovo and a call for responsible action by decision-makers, both local and international.
The publication is available in Serbian, Albanian, and English on the NGO Aktiv website.
