As part of the project “Fostering Political Dialogue on Interethnic and Social Cohesion”, a community discussion was held on the topic “Community Dialogue – Strengthening Capacities for Interethnic Cohesion” with members of the Roma, Ashkali, and Albanian communities in the Municipality of Gračanica.
The aim of this meeting was to gain a better understanding of the daily realities, challenges, and aspirations of these communities in Gračanica, as well as their interethnic relations and institutional engagement.
Some of the key issues identified during the discussion included: lack of safety after dark and high unemployment rates after completing education; exclusion from the labor market despite qualifications, due to discrimination and lack of representation; language barriers with other communities and limited inclusion in institutional platforms; low trust in Kosovo institutions and unequal access to economic opportunities; and exclusion from public consultations or local decision-making processes.
Participants highlighted several recommendations, such as: full implementation of existing laws on minority rights and employment; youth empowerment through intercultural activities and educational opportunities; Albanian language training and greater inclusion in intercommunity projects; concrete support for job creation and assistance in formalizing economic initiatives.
This activity was implemented as part of the project “Fostering Political Dialogue on Interethnic and Social Cohesion”, funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and implemented by the Institute for Social Policy Musine Kokalari.
