Twelve young individuals from the Mitrovica region have successfully completed the third cohort of the Community Leadership Academy, a transformative 12-week educational program. They are now part of the first network of young activists of this kind in Kosovo. These participants are now part of the first network of young activists of this kind in Kosovo.

The Academy aims to cultivate a community-based group of activists equipped with the necessary tools to initiate positive change within their communities. Over the course of 24 comprehensive modules, these young leaders were empowered with knowledge and skills to effectively organize their communities. They also learned how to build valuable networks with civil society organizations, public officials, media, and the private sector, enabling them to explore innovative solutions to local challenges. In addition, the participants will receive financial support of up to $3,000 to address the issues they identified and, with the help of mentors, developed into concrete initiatives for interventions in their communities.

The Academy’s program, offered free of charge, was developed in collaboration with Street Law, a prestigious organization based in the United States specializing in non-formal education.

The Academy is part of the Citizen Engagement Activity, a five-year initiative implemented by the Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF) in partnership with USAID Kosovo. The primary goal of the Citizen Engagement Activity is to foster a culture of activism that makes life in our neighborhoods and cities better, more caring, and more meaningful. Through its activities, the program focuses on three fundamental pillars: community engagement, building inter-societal trust, and mobilizing new resources.