Project Title: Building Age-Friendly Communities through Intergenerational Action in Kosovo – AGE+
Duration: 36 months (January 2023 – December 2025)
Location: Kosovo, Serbia
Implementing Organizations: Syri i Vizionit (for the project in Kosovo) in partnership with Volkshilfe Solidarität
Donor: ADA – Austrian Development Cooperation
Budget: €318,228

Project Objective: The project aims to contribute to strengthening the participation of older adults in dialogue with their local governments, expressing their needs and involvement in decision-making regarding services for them. It seeks to enhance the capacities of municipalities, the private sector, and other service providers to deliver services for older adults based on their recommendations and to increase the provision of complementary services supporting older adults at the local level.
Beneficiaries: In the two municipalities where the project will be implemented in Peja and Istog, Syri i Vizionit will work closely with various actors supporting the project, including the Directorate of Education, Directorate of Social Welfare, Directorate of Health, Social Work Centers, secondary medical schools, and preschools. At the central level, collaboration will involve the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, the Ministry of Finance, Labor and Transfers, and the Ministry of Health, who will participate in working groups, conferences, trainings, and individual meetings during project implementation.
Project Implementation: The three-year program in Kosovo, implemented by Syri i Vizionit in Peja and Istog, focuses on strengthening existing initiatives and services for older adults while addressing the specific needs of older women and men. The project develops new and transformative services by creating solidarity centers, building capacities, and increasing knowledge to sustainably meet the needs of older adults, with a special focus on gender. The program aims to address and mitigate several issues, including: reducing loneliness among older adults and its effects, building private sector capacity to support older adults based on their needs, providing complementary and supportive services for older adults at the local level, supporting senior centers with intergenerational activities, raising awareness of gender-related issues such as gender-based violence, specific gender needs and desires, gender stereotypes, and developing local policies that recognize the rights and needs of older adults.

Expected Results:
•	Technical assistance will be provided to local government units and advisory centers for older adults to develop a strategy for creating a local action plan for older adults’ activities. Rewards will be given to individuals, organizations, media, or private sector actors who stand out in contributing to mitigating the effects of aging in the municipality.
•	Training for local social and health service workers who directly work with older adults on intergenerational solidarity, aging, elder abuse, gender issues, and conflict prevention and resolution. This will enhance skills and reduce inappropriate behavior. Study visits will be organized with relevant stakeholders, as they are a key factor in creating strong local impact. All resource materials will be made available to partners and other relevant actors.
•	Establishment of local intergenerational solidarity centers in the target municipalities, as well as intergenerationally supported services in psychosocial and health activities, horticulture, digital literacy, creative activities, nutrition and clothing, and outdoor activities.
•	Each partner will implement a pilot action with a related research activity to assess the effectiveness of the intergenerational pilot action.
•	Intergenerational cooperation and solidarity will be integrated into school activities. At the end of the program, a promotional conference will be organized. Target municipalities in Kosovo will advocate for the creation of sustainable social service models for older adults and improvement of pension infrastructure based on pensioners’ needs at the central level.
•	Awareness-raising activities will be carried out through social media and promotional materials to promote age-friendly communities, reduce prejudice, encourage healthy aging, and foster intergenerational solidarity.

Project Title: Decentralization and Support to Municipalities
Duration: May 1 – July 31, 2023
Location: Peja, Junik
Implementing Organizations: SiV in partnership with GAP
Donor: GAP

Project Objective: To measure the progress in fulfilling electoral promises.
Beneficiaries: Local institutions, civil society, political parties, and all citizens.
Program Implementation: The program was carried out through several activities implemented during this phase of the program:

Results and Activities:
•	Meetings with municipal mayors and local institutions responsible for implementing electoral campaign promises.
•	Meetings with representatives of political parties in both government and opposition.
•	Meetings and interviews with civil society organizations and citizens.
•	Interviews with residents of neighborhoods and locations where some of the promises have been implemented, etc.

Project Title: Cohesive Futures – Building Resilient Communities through Social Cohesion and Inter-ethnic/Inter-religious Exchange
Duration: September 1, 2023 – August 31, 2026
Location: Peja, Vitia, South Mitrovica, North Mitrovica, Zubin Potok, Zvecan and Leposavic
Implementing Organizations: Syri i Vizionit in partnership with Edutask Institute and NGO Aktiv
Donor: GCERF - Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund
Budget: €704,999

Project Objective: The project aims to increase community knowledge against violent extremism, promote social cohesion, and provide opportunities for education and economic advancement to counter drivers of radicalization. Through targeted interventions, the project seeks to foster a more inclusive and connected society, reducing the risk of extremist ideologies taking root in vulnerable communities.

Beneficiaries:
•	Youth aged 16 to 29, including high school and university students, employed or unemployed.
•	Women: Women aged 29 and above, including both single and married individuals, encompassing those in the workforce as well as those not currently employed.
•	Village Leaders: Elected by local communities to articulate the concerns and needs of their community to municipal authorities.
•	Religious Leaders: Defined as local imams, Orthodox and Catholic priests leading religious institutions, and playing a leadership role in providing religious education in local communities.
•	Influential Personalities: Individuals recognized for their visible roles and influence within society.
Project Implementation: The project will be implemented through promoting intergroup interactions among youth, exchanges involving various professionals, businesses, and cultural entities, and organizing inter-community thematic excursions to enable youth of different ethnic backgrounds to engage and learn from one another.
Key change agents in the project will be local and village council leaders, who will assist in selecting project participants and will be trained on key aspects of violent extremism and its prevention.
A particular focus will be placed on ensuring equal access to social and economic opportunities. This will be achieved by creating/operationalizing local centers where women and youth can participate in educational and cultural activities. Another aspect of promoting equal access will involve collaboration with employment offices and skills development training for employment.

Expected Results:
•	Community Leaders, Religious Leaders, and Influential Personalities will gain knowledge on PVE (Prevention of Violent Extremism) and promote a sense of belonging, inclusion, tolerance, and safety within the community through dialogue sessions.
o	Conduct dialogue sessions with village leaders to promote PVE and social cohesion.
o	Train village councils, religious leaders, and influential personalities.
o	Organize thematic dialogue sessions and meetings on specific topics based on identified community needs.
•	Youth and Women will have access to local center services where skills development for employment and intercultural understanding will take place.
o	Establish and operationalize local community centers.
o	Develop program curricula, training methodologies, and trainer manuals, and provide ToT (Training of Trainers).
o	Organize career and soft skills trainings, PVE seminars, and cultural events.
o	Facilitate collaboration with employment offices.
•	Inter-ethnic Communication, Cooperation, and Trust will be strengthened to address mutual community interests.
o	Organize community meetings in target municipalities where the community discusses overall challenges and identifies initiatives to improve community life.
o	Selected initiatives will support inter-community exchange activities in areas such as culture and business.
o	Selected initiatives will organize thematic excursions between communities and receive support through small grants.

Project Title: Promoting Green Activism in the Community
Duration: 21 months (September 2023 – June 2025)
Location: Peja
Implementing Organization: Syri i Vizionit in Partnership with Kosovo Democratic Institute - KDI
Budget: €8,307.68
Donors: UNDF

Project Objective: The Democratic Institute of Kosovo has created a network of non-governmental organizations in 12 municipalities in Kosovo, aiming to identify and influence decision-makers to fulfill electoral promises and objectives related to the green agenda.

Beneficiaries: All citizens in the municipalities where the project is implemented, local and central institutions, media, and the wider Kosovo population.
Project Implementation: By providing technical expertise and advocacy knowledge to civil society actors, this project facilitates the created network to help community groups and elected officials in different cities share best practices on implementing sustainable policies and environmental projects.
The project promotes greener governance in Kosovo through expanded community activism in advancing environmentally oriented policies and holding local governments accountable through monitoring and social auditing.

Achievements:
•	Organizing field visits by NGOs and community members.
•	Organizing public discussions.
•	One-day workshops.
•	Two “Green Hour” discussions.
•	A notebook/report on local governance performance.
•	A social audit.

Project Title: AQH – Accessible and Quality Healthcare
Duration: 8 months (March 2023 – November 2023)
Location: Peja, Istog, Decan 
Implementing Organization: Syri i Vizionit in Partnership with Accessible and Quality Healthcare
Budget: €41,900
Donors: Swiss Agency for Development

Syri i Vizionit has been engaged in improving public health by raising citizens’ awareness about non-communicable diseases. During 2023, with the support of the AQH – Accessible and Quality Healthcare Project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by Swiss TPH, we conducted awareness sessions and health caravans aimed at educating the population on the prevention and management of hypertension, diabetes, and asthma in several municipalities across Kosovo.

Community Awareness Sessions: From March to November, 44 awareness sessions were held in cooperation with healthcare staff from five municipalities: Peja, Istog, Klina, Deçan, and Junik. These sessions were mainly organized in Family Medicine Centers (FMCs) and schools, targeting individuals with health issues to inform them about hypertension, diabetes, and asthma. In addition to providing information, participants also received screenings for these non-communicable diseases. In total 44 sessions, 1124 participated in sessions. During these sessions 21 new cases of hypertension, 14 cases of diabetes, and 3 cases of asthma were identified and referred for further treatment.

Health Caravans: Community Engagement: In addition to awareness sessions, 13 health caravans were organized in various municipalities, reaching a total of 1,984 participants. The goal of these caravans was to increase awareness of non-communicable diseases and encourage healthier lifestyles.
These health caravans also helped identify 85 new cases of hypertension, diabetes, and other diseases, ensuring that individuals receive the necessary care.
Impact and Achievements: In total, 2,524 individuals participated in the awareness sessions and health caravans, including a significant number from local communities. Beyond improving health education, 106 new cases of hypertension, diabetes, and asthma were identified and referred for further treatment.

Project Title: Our Obligation 4 the Future – Child Protection and Child Rights Governance
Duration: 12 months (January 2023 – December 2023)
Location: Peja, Gjakova, Klina, Gjilan, Prizren, Prishtina, Ferizaj, and Mitrovica
Implementing Organization: Syri i Vizionit in Partnership with Save the Children
Budget: €91,938.62
Donors: SIDA - Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency

Project Goal: Within this program, Syri i Vizionit will work on two thematic areas: Child Protection and Child Rights Governance.

In the area of Child Protection, the project aims to influence the development of a legal infrastructure that protects children and prohibits violence and corporal punishment in all settings. It will also focus on strengthening the professional capacities of institutions mandated to protect children so they can provide timely and professional services.

In the area of Child Rights Governance, the program will work with the monitoring group Respect Our Rights (RoR) and Children’s Assemblies to empower children’s roles in policymaking and participation in decision-making processes at both local and national levels.

Beneficiaries: The beneficiaries are all children in Kosovo—regardless of ethnicity, religion, race, gender, or disability. Other beneficiaries include local and national institutions mandated for child protection and child rights governance, Children’s Assemblies, schools, parents, teachers, and CSOs working with children.

Project Implementation: Syri i Vizionit will work in two main areas: Child Protection and Child Rights Governance. In Child Protection, the organization will work in five municipalities (in 10 schools across Peja, Gjakova, Prizren, Klina, and Gjilan), influencing the development of legal frameworks that protect children and prohibit violence against them. SiV will collaborate closely with local and national institutions to promote the Law on Child Protection and support the drafting of Administrative Instructions, particularly one that prohibits corporal punishment of children.

SiV will also organize trainings on positive discipline in everyday parenting as an alternative for raising and educating children without violence or corporal punishment. The program will further support capacity-building for mechanisms/institutions mandated to protect children, helping them offer professional services and strengthening social dialogue between schools, Centers for Social Work (CSWs), and child protection mechanisms to safeguard children and families from abuse.

In Child Rights Governance, SiV will engage with child-led groups, including the national monitoring group of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) “Respect Our Rights”, the Municipal Children’s Assemblies (MCAs), and child rights coordinators in seven municipalities—Peja, Gjilan, Ferizaj, Gjakova, Klina, Prishtina, and Mitrovica.
The project will also promote institutional transparency by engaging children in direct meetings and workshops with institutions. During this period, SiV will address findings from the Young Voices report, through the ROR group and MCAs.
This year and beyond, special attention will be dedicated to environmental education and climate change awareness, where children will not only be sensitized about these issues but will also lead advocacy campaigns urging institutions to design practical policies for environmental protection and climate action.

Objectives and Expected Results:
•	Strengthen the expertise and technical resources of CSOs to improve internal efficiency and governance effectiveness.
•	The updated strategy will redefine the organization’s mission and vision, guiding NGOs to make better strategic decisions.
•	Update and reaffirm the Child Protection Strategy to strengthen the child protection system and develop/adapt new programs aligned with the revised strategy.
•	Ensure a more comprehensive Safety Plan that includes an updated emergency response plan.
•	Installation of a Windows server system to enhance data protection and secure all organizational files and sensitive documents.
•	Increase opportunities for children to organize and express themselves on matters of shared concern.
•	Enable children to participate actively in decision-making processes, demanding effective monitoring and accountability from mandated institutions and initiating advocacy on emerging issues.
•	Train and support CSOs and informal/formal child-led groups to engage duty-bearers and ensure accountability to children.
•	Support children to report and advocate through national and regional human rights mechanisms in accordance with the CRC.
•	Strengthen advocacy and lobbying capacities of child-led groups focused on accountability for child rights, gender equality, environmental issues, and climate change, supported by SiV and Save the Children.
•	Enhance the capacities and expertise of CSOs to protect children’s rights and ensure equal access to quality child protection systems and mechanisms.
•	Raise community and child awareness about preventing and responding appropriately and promptly to violence, in line with the mandates of local institutions.
•	SCI will support CSO partners and child-led groups to engage in policy dialogue and advocacy, holding the state accountable for reporting on child rights and implementing recommendations from child-led groups.
•	Parents/guardians, boys, and girls will strengthen their capacities for non-violent parenting.
•	SC will support CSOs in promoting three (3) intervention models for child protection and assist child protection mechanisms/institutions in adapting them to overcome social, legal, political, or financial barriers—or harmful norms—affecting equal access, protection, and exercise of child rights.
•	Tools for reporting school-based violence will be known and used as reliable and functional mechanisms for protecting children from violence.
•	SiV will support municipalities in creating and strengthening legal mechanisms for child protection and implementing local policies.
•	SC will support CSO partners to conduct campaigns at all levels in their focus areas, aligned with the five quality perspectives.
•	SiV and child-led groups will engage in dialogue with institutions at all levels for improved coordination on child rights and protection.
•	CSOs and children, supported by SC, will engage with institutions to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Activities:
•	Workshop: Development of the Action Plan for the Strategy with clear goals, objectives, and milestones.
•	Seminar: Development of the Child Protection Strategy.
•	Seminar to update the Safety Plan and assign a safety focal point.
•	Installation of new IT equipment and software, followed by user training and the development of management protocols.
•	Workshop to develop ideas for two advocacy campaigns on environmental protection and non-discrimination.
•	Child-led campaigns on environmental protection and non-discrimination.
•	Commemoration of CRC Day and International Children’s Day.
•	Monitoring report on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 19).
•	Advocacy meetings with ZQM, MESTI, the Parliamentary Committee on HRGJPSD, and child rights coordinators.
•	Training to build children’s capacities for accountability and transparency.
•	Periodic meetings with Municipal Children’s Assemblies (MCAs).
•	Campaign to promote the Law on Child Protection.
•	Regular meetings between child groups and the Council for Child Rights.
•	Workshop to develop a Standard Framework for Monitoring the Work of Child Rights Teams.
•	Training on non-violent parenting.
•	Workshop with the working group to develop a Child Protection Policy for the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI).
•	Information sessions with school and municipal quality coordinators.
•	Meetings with municipal mayors and ZQM to establish Municipal Child Rights Teams.
•	Support to child rights teams in implementing work plans.
•	National Conference – organized by SiV in cooperation with ZQM and MESTI.
•	Campaign for equal access for children with disabilities in urban spaces, schools, and other public areas.
•	Promotion and strengthening of Student Councils’ roles in expanding children’s civic space in schools.
•	Coordination meeting between organizations working with child groups.

Project Title: Empowering the Employability of Youth and/or Marginalized Groups in the Municipality of Ferizaj
Duration: November 1, 2023 – April 2026
Location: Ferizaj
Implementing Organization: Syri i Vizionit (SiV) in partnership with SOS Fshatrat 
Donor: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit, Hermann-Gmeiner-Fonds Deutschland (HGFD)
Budget: €72,960
Project Goal: To support marginalized youth and prepare them for access to the labor market, turning them into agents of economic development and social inclusion.

Beneficiaries: The project targets 72 young people aged 16–35 years who are economically and socially disadvantaged, have lower levels of education, and live in geographically specific areas.
Among these 72 youth:
•	50% will be female,
•	65% will be from the Albanian community,
•	35% will be from the Roma, Egyptian, and Ashkali communities, and
•	5% will be persons with disabilities.
This ensures the inclusion of youth across the three localities where the program will be implemented in the Municipality of Ferizaj.

Expected Results:
•	Strengthened social dialogue between institutions, the business community, and youth.
•	Enhanced capacities and empowerment of young people through life and work skills.
•	Increased awareness among local institutions and other relevant actors about the situation of youth in need and understanding of potential mechanisms to improve the conditions of the target group.

Main Activities:
•	Development of the program strategy and methodology.
•	Signing of referral agreements for cases involving marginalized and excluded youth.
•	Organization of roundtable discussions to develop joint recommendations.
•	Selection of 72 marginalized youth, aged 16–34, both male and female, from different communities (at least 40% female participation).
•	Skills development through group training sessions.
•	Individual mentoring sessions.
•	Youth empowerment in advocacy to address their needs and priorities.
•	Peer-to-peer learning and exchange activities.