For Sara Ceshko, a young activist and member of the United Youth Task Force, youth-led activities have created unique opportunities for young people from different communities across Kosovo* to connect and learn from one another. “We have been able to create a platform where we, as young people, can communicate openly across Kosovo. Beyond borders and beyond communities, we have been able to reach one another and solve our problems together,” says Sara. She was part of the two-day workshop organised by the United Youth Task Force with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe. The workshop brought together young people to identify harmful narratives in their communities and develop practical, youth-led responses to hate speech and discrimination.

Her experience reflects the wider goal of the initiative: bringing young people from different communities together to discuss hate speech and shared challenges, exchange experiences, and build trust. By listening to one another, participants gain a better understanding of how hate speech affects people and communities, while exploring ways to strengthen co-operation and mutual respect.

A key part of the workshop focused on helping young people understand their rights and the legal protections against hate speech and discrimination. Hektor Kastrati, a young legal professional, believes this knowledge is essential. “Working with young people has been an interesting journey because many are not aware of the legal tools available to address hate speech. Through this project, they are learning how legislation in Kosovo protects people against hate speech and how they can use it in practice.”, underlined Kastrati.

This initiative gathered in Istog/Istok 25 young women and men from different regions of Kosovo. Through discussions and group activities, participants explored how hate speech and discrimination affect youths’ everyday life—online, at school, in public spaces, and within their local communities. They also learned about human rights, media literacy, inter-community dialogue, and practical ways to recognise and respond to discrimination.

But the initiative does not end with the workshop. Participants are taking what they have learned, back to their own communities. They will identify harmful narratives and design youth-led actions to challenge them. These actions may include community dialogues, awareness-raising campaigns, storytelling initiatives, educational activities in schools and universities, and other local projects that promote inclusion and respect.

By connecting young people across communities and supporting them to move from learning to action, this initiative is helping build a new generation of young peacebuilders. Their ideas, leadership, and commitment show that young people are not only affected by hate speech and discrimination, they are also driving positive change towards a more inclusive, peaceful, and socially cohesive society.

This initiative is implemented by the United Youth Task Force as part of a grant provided by the action on “Promoting Diversity and Equality” in the framework of the EU and Council of Europe joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.