CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS

SCHOOL OF ACTIVISM 2025

The Kosovo Civil Society Foundation (KCSF) and Community Building Mitrovica (CBM) invite all civil society organizations to apply to the fourth edition of the School for Activism, an educational program created within the framework of the Civil Society Resource Center in Kosovo to strengthen and increase the impact of civil society organizations (CSOs) in the country.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

School of Activism (the School) is a space for professional education, capacity building of CSO staff, and organizational empowerment for more systematic engagement, aiming to foster greater citizen participation and influence policymaking processes through participatory advocacy.

The School is offered annually to 20 selected CSOs and includes six training modules, each lasting two days. These modules have been identified as essential topics and knowledge areas for organizational development and for increasing their impact through the work they do (see the listed modules below).

In previous editions, around 300 staff members from 60 CSOs across Kosovo have been trained, with wide geographic, sectoral, and gender representation, over the course of three previous editions.

CSOs that successfully complete the School of Activism will have the opportunity to benefit from mentoring from experts in various fields, with the aim of further professional development and support in the implementation of their organization’s long-term strategies and objectives. They will also be included in thematic and sectoral networks of civil society organizations, which will be organized and supported by the KCSF, enabling cooperation and exchange of experiences between different civil society actors in Kosovo.

All training and mentoring is provided free of charge to selected organizations. Additionally, travel expenses will be reimbursed for participants from outside Prishtina.

WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM OFFER?

The School of Activism program provides specialized support for the development of civil society organizations, helping to strengthen their capacities in key areas. The fourth edition program is structured into six modules, each with an in-depth focus on:

• Module 1: Internal Governance for CSOs
• Module 2: Gender mainstreaming
• Module 3: Impact Assessment and Fundraising
• Module 4: Diversifying financial resources
• Module 5: Participatory Advocacy
• Module 6: Community Mobilization Techniques

WHAT PARTICIPANTS WILL GAIN:

With the participation of CSOs in the School, each participating CSO will be able to:

• Better understand the organization, internal governance of the organization;
• Draft a strategy or a clear activity plan to achieve the organization’s goals;
• Include gender mainstreaming within internal activities and with external stakeholders;
• Create better strategies for fundraising, planning and project implementation;
• Participate in decision-making processes, at local and central levels, with better knowledge of participatory advocacy methods;
• Better understand and be more competent in applying community mobilization techniques;

During their participation in the School of Activism, and after completing the School, participants will have the opportunity to gain:

• Ongoing mentoring and advice from experts to address and advance specific issues of the organization;
• Networking and collaboration with other civil society organizations for joint engagement in advocacy initiatives, addressing community needs, etc.

APPLICATION METHOD

All civil society organizations that are registered or operating in Kosovo are eligible to apply. Each CSO must propose 2 to 6 staff members based on their responsibilities within the organization to participate in the School modules.

APPLICATION CRITERIA

• Be a Civil Society Organization, registered in Kosovo;
• Have the goal and interest in involving citizens in the organization’s work;
• The application is fully completed and provides complete answers to all questions;
• The organization has proposed a team of 2 to 6 staff members engaged in the relevant fields;
• Participation in the School is linked to the organization’s strategic objectives and contributes to their achievement;
• The organization clearly demonstrates how involvement in the program will contribute to its commitment to community engagement in its mission;
• The organization shows willingness to develop capacities based on identified needs.

Only selected CSOs will be contacted via e-mail.The Civil Society Resource Centre in Kosovo, in close cooperation with the selected CSOs, will also assign the participating members to each module.

Upon completion of the School, each participant will be provided with a certificate of participation.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

Interested CSOs should complete the application by clicking here.

Only applications that meet all the requirements specified in this call and application form will be considered. The deadline for applications is 22 June 2025, 23:59.

All questions or additional information you have regarding the School or the application process can be sent via email to rc-kosovo@kcsfoundation.org.

This activity is organized with the financial support of the European Union and Sweden. Its content is the sole responsibility of Kosovo Civil Society Foundation (KCSF) and Community Building Mitrovica (CBM) and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or Sweden.