Dejan Simic

General information

Project title: ArtSphere: Diversifying the Social Landscape Through Art
Duration: 8 months
Implementation period: April 1- November 30, 2023
Supported by: The Swiss Cooperation Office in Kosovo
Status: Completed

Project objectives:

The overall objective of the project is to create an environment that promotes the growth and recognition of young artists in Kosovo while fostering intercultural communication and academic exchange to increase the public’s understanding and appreciation of Kosovo’s cultural diversity. The specific objectives that serve as the building blocks to achieve this overarching goal are defined as:

Specific objective 1: Foster the development of young artists in Kosovo by creating a supportive environment for the promotion of work and peer exchanges, and

Specific Objective 2: Stimulate intercultural communication and academic exchange to enhance public understanding and appreciation of Kosovo’s rich cultural diversity.

Expected Results:

The project’s expected results cover both collaborative and practical aspects:

• Heightened support for young artists, which results in greater visibility of their work and
  increased public recognition. The goal is to include at least 15 emerging artists from various communities in Kosovo in this initiative.
• Enhanced social interaction among young people from diverse cultural backgrounds. This is a key component of the project, where interactions are facilitated throughout its activities, leading to the involvement of at least 300 individuals including artists, academics, civic activists, etc.
• Increased number of young academics dedicated to promoting cultural diversity in Kosovo. In addition to directly involving at least 10 young academics from universities in Pristina, Mitrovica, and Belgrade, the dissemination of the dictionary through public libraries and civic initiatives is expected to reach at least 1,000 individuals.
• Increased public appreciation and understanding of Kosovo’s rich artistic and cultural landscape. The standard communication practices of project partners Integra and CASA, which include regular media outreach, social media promotion, and stakeholder involvement, will facilitate substantial community outreach and promote a greater understanding of the country’s vibrant artistic and cultural offerings.

Related reading:

• Publications
• Final report

General information

Project title: The Barabar Centre
Duration: 11 months
Implementation period: July 15, 2023 – June 15, 2024
Supported by: UNMIK
Status: Completed

Project objectives:

The objective of this initiative is to tackle the primary difficulties surrounding reconciliation and the process of building trust in Kosovo. Despite more than twenty years passing since the conflict ended, Kosovo continues to be a society divided in practice, with tensions among its communities persisting due to unresolved political disagreements, contradictory public narratives, and ongoing instabilities on the ground. While the reconciliation process has been ongoing, it has struggled to yield concrete and lasting outcomes, necessitating fresh strategies and approaches.

This proposed project aims to provide a solution by establishing the Barabar Centre in Pristina. This center will serve as a hub for activities focused on building trust among different ethnic groups, offering a welcoming environment for professional, social, and cultural interactions among peer groups from all communities within Kosovo. The primary goal of this initiative is to enhance direct engagement and dialogue among these groups on both a local and regional level. This will involve civil society, academia, media, as well as youth and women’s organizations. By doing so, the project seeks to promote and contribute to the potential for achieving sincere and enduring peace in the region.

Expected results:

The primary actions planned for achievement encompass:

• Establishment and operationalization of an open public Centre (Barabar Centre).
• Elevating the prominence of the Barabar Centre as a central hub for the facilitation of inter-community dialogue (Barabar Talks, Podcast “She, Trust Building Forum).
• Strengthening the involvement of women and underrepresented social groups in endeavors aimed at building trust, as well as fostering a culture of rights awareness. This includes activities such as the Women in Peacebuilding Forum, the Barabar Language Hub, etc.
• Initiation of joint sets of grassroots actions promoting the principles of transitional justice and culture of memory (The Culture of Memory initiative, The Culture of Understanding initiative, victim-sensitive media reporting Code of ethics, etc.).
• Amplifying the momentum of reconciliation in Kosovo by facilitating and advocating for intercultural and artistic exchange. This involves fostering cultural interactions and exchanges among different ethnic groups.

Related reading:

• Publications
• Final report