New Publication: Kosovo-Serbia: A Different Approach – Serb Community Attitudes

This project seeks to thoroughly analyze the viewpoints and sentiments of the Serbian community in Kosovo using quantitative research methods. The main goal is to gather and assess their perspectives on a range of issues that are important to them and relevant to the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo. Through this research, we aim to provide empirical data that can help improve internal dialogues between central institutions and communities in Kosovo. Below, we present the key findings of the report:

Key Findings

Community Challenges and Issues

-The top three daily concerns for the community are general security/stability (51%), political freedom (43%), and employment/economic conditions (40%).

-Corruption is seen as the most significant challenge (42%), particularly concerning political freedom and democracy.

-There are notable differences between urban and rural areas regarding challenges, with corruption being more prevalent in rural areas (49%) compared to urban areas (31%).

Click here for the full Report:

https://bit.ly/4eHvNjM

The Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue

-Respondents have mixed perceptions of government efforts towards minority groups, with 61% agreeing that dialogue is promoted, but 68% expressing concerns about service access barriers.

-The Serbian Orthodox Church is viewed as the primary stakeholder for community dialogue (58%).

-Preferences for dialogue mediators vary by region, with urban respondents favoring Kosovo political parties (31%) and rural respondents favoring Serbian political parties (59%).

Trust in State Institutions and Superpowers

-Healthcare workers are the most trusted among respondents.

-Trust in various institutions fluctuates, with Russia being the most trusted, while entities like KFOR, the EU, and the USA have seen decreases in trust.

Self-Management Framework

-64% of respondents have a basic understanding of the Self-Management Framework, with a notable shift in opinions between two survey waves.

-A majority (70%) view the framework positively for Serbian rights and reconciliation.

Future in Kosovo

-There is a decline in the belief that inter-ethnic relations will improve, from 36% in Wave 1 to 28% in Wave 2.

-Shopping remains the primary reason for city visits, though interest in nightlife has declined.

-Respondents generally perceive low obstacles to interacting with diverse communities, but Albanians are seen as a moderate obstacle in workplace settings.

Sentiment towards CBK’s Decision on Currency

-Most respondents (64%) believe Euro adoption is likely, with urban respondents being more optimistic than rural ones.

This comprehensive analysis aims to foster better dialogue and understanding between central institutions and the Serbian community in Kosovo.

The study was supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Kosovo, a joint project with the New Social Initiative – NSI and the Center for Social Initatives.

May 23, 2024



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