Date: March 26, 2025,
Location: Gračanica
The meeting centered on the presentation of the public opinion research “Insight into the Challenges, Needs, and Attitudes of the Kosovo Serb Community,” a debrief from a meeting with ambassadors, and a discussion on political and social developments.
Two of the four authors of the research presented key findings. Milena Lazarević presented the phenomenon of mass migration from Kosovo, outlining its underlying causes and offering recommendations. Sanja Vuković presented findings on Kosovo Serbs’ access to public services at the central level, as well as local-level service access, in the absence of the original author. Participants agreed that the research is an essential tool for advocacy, given its broad sample size of over 800 respondents. Discussions followed on how best to use the findings, including strategies for promotion in Kosovo and beyond. It was proposed that, once printed in three languages, the report be published on the CASA website and presented at a press conference at the Barabar Center, Media Center in Čaglavica, or another venue in Pristina. CASA will integrate the research into advocacy activities involving its authors and Platform members.
A briefing was also provided on March 11, 2025, meeting with ambassadors, where the research findings and insights from community forums were presented. The discussion emphasized the importance of continued international engagement in advocating for Kosovo Serb rights.
The meeting concluded with an analysis of political developments, including the February 2025 parliamentary elections, challenges in service access, and growing concerns over the community’s declining representation in Kosovo’s institutions. While the upcoming local elections were seen as an opportunity, frustration and lack of hope persist within the community.
Recommendations included the immediate dissemination of the research for advocacy at all levels, coordinated efforts to address key findings, strengthened diplomatic engagement, and public promotion of the report’s results through media and events.
This initiative is supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Kosovo and implemented in partnership between Center for Affirmative Social Actions – CASA and Space/s for Societal Change – Space/s.
