Drawing Kosovo’s Future: The Civil Society Partnerships Driving Development

UNKT and Civikos beleive that civil society can help make sustainable development a reality today.

On the morning of June 20, United Nations Kosovo Team (UNKT) and Civikos hosted a workshop in the Sirius Hotel asking civil society to imagine its role in sustainable development — with a twist. After presentations from UNKT, Civikos and the Office of Strategic Planning, attendees split into small groups, exchanging ideas on Gender Equality, Poverty and Environment, Education and Innovation, and Youth and Employment.

Meanwhile, artists took inspiration from the discussion and created a small piece illustrating the lessons from the discussion.

Each groups’ presentation helped explain their contribution to the final piece.

First, the Gender group urged improvements to media coverage and government policy all while promoting gender rights. Similarly, The Education and Innovation group prioritized collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Civil Society and the creation of practical spaces in high school to inspire youth and provide meaningful economic opportunities.

The Youth and Employment group built on this theme as they proposed an annual conference youth empowerment and implementing youth centers alongside inclusion local and central government decision making.

The group on Poverty and Environment, called for a new definition of poverty that could realistically represent the concerns of everyday Kosovars as developed a thriving domestic economy.

The group tackling Innovation for SDGs emphasized the need for more facilities for cooperation, for individuals, groups, and entities. As a practical solution to youth employment, the establishment of a Career Guidance Center was suggested.

As the artists included each new idea into their work, civil societies’ crucial role in realizing an equitable, sustainable, and economically vibrant Kosovo became more self-evident. Clearly, a partnership between government, business and the organization the attendees represented would be the foundation of a future where no is left behind.