Since declaring independence in 2008, Kosovo has won diplomatic recognition by 65 countries as of January 2010, including the U.S. and 22 of 27 European Union member-states. Serbia continues to challenge Kosovo's sovereignty legally and diplomatically. Kosovo's democratic transition, begun in earnest after the NATO-Serbian conflict in 1999, continues as Kosovars assume direct responsibility for building governing institutions and democratic political processes. Municipal elections held in November 2009 revealed administrative challenges but were largely violence-free and saw increased participation among Kosovar Serbs in central and southern regions, although Kosovar Serbs in the north, adjacent to Serbia, boycotted the vote. The general increase in Serb participation is likely attributable to the creation of new Serb-majority municipalities.
Kosovo has three principal tasks in its democratic transition: strengthening key political institutions, in particular parliament; the enfranchisement of Serb and other ethnic minority communities; and the creation of adequate political party and civic channels through which all Kosovo citizens can engage each other across ethnic, geographic and political lines and participate in the emerging political system as voters, advocates and watchdogs.
Political Party Support
As Kosovo switches from international administration to self-government, it requires assistance in building sustainable democratic institutions. Building on a decade of USAID-funded assistance, NDI is contributing to the ideological and participatory development of ethnic Albanian and Serb and non-Serb minority political parties. The Institute continues to challenge these parties to enhance voter and local branch outreach, define policy platforms, and strengthen internal communication structures.
- Regional political party initiative»
- Liberal parties in the Balkans plot shared course toward the future»
- Center-right political party youth leaders gather from across the Balkans to form political network»
Election Monitoring
To encourage sound election processes, NDI collaborated with the European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO) and Democracy in Action (DiA), a coalition of domestic civic groups, on large-scale observation missions for the 2009 municipal elections.
Legislative Support
NDI's Kosovo Assembly Strengthening Program is increasing legislative research capacity, improving government oversight by committees, creating entry points for civil society into the legislative process, refining information management systems, and promoting better management of legislative staff.
- Newly independent Kosovo continues to transition to democracy»
- Assembly of Kosovo improves transparency, decides to publish recorded votes»
- New office aids dialogue between Kosovo MPs and citizens»
- Kosovar women parliamentarians lead the fight against domestic violence and engage citizens in debate on gender issues»
- NDI supports House Democracy Partnership in sharing good practice»
- Assembly of Kosovo: Public Hearing Manual
- Regional parliamentary initiative»
Other Programs
With National Endowment for Democracy support, NDI is helping a multi-ethnic group of young people from the divided region of Mitrovica to reach across ethnic lines by tackling group projects to better their community.
- Supporting tolerance and leadership among youth in southern Serbia and Kosovo»
- Emerging political and civic leaders gather in Belgrade»
- Regional youth tolerance»
NDI is also working with emerging Kosovar political leaders to learn how Northern Ireland partisans put aside divisive conflict to cooperate on issues of citizen interest.
With two local partner organizations, the Institute also works with funding from the United Nations Democracy Fund to report on Assembly activities and facilitate advocacy campaigns by civil society groups.
Contact Information
For more information about these programs, use our contact form or contact:
Pristina
Laura Nichols, Resident Director
+381 38 220 765
Washington, D.C.
Brian Giacometti, Senior Program Officer
(202) 728-5478
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Pictured Above: An NDI pre-election assessment of Kosovo's 2009 municipal elections raised public awareness of the election process. Carlo Binda, Karan English, and Matthew Frumin presented findings and recommendations at a Pristina press conference.
