The Council of Europe Office in Pristina announced  the winners of five grants awarded to local civil society organisations working to combat discrimination and hate speech and to reduce the stigmatisation of vulnerable groups. The five selected organisations represent communities and groups from different regions including the United Youth Task Force, Sekhmet Institute, Kosovo Disability Forum, Mus-e Kosova, and the Union of Social Workers of Kosovo.

The projects aim to strengthen the capacities of school psychologists to prevent and address hate speech and discrimination in schools  support youth-led responses to hate speech through partnerships with municipal and educational authorities. In addition they will strengthen the capacities of journalists and media professionals to identify and responsibly report on hate speech affecting LGBTI+ communities.

This initiative will also tackle hate speech and discriminatory attitudes towards persons with disabilities by promoting inclusive narratives and fostering a culture of respect and social cohesion.

These grants are implemented under the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” and the action “Combating discrimination and hatred”. It contributes to Kosovo*'s alignment with European anti-discrimination standards, supports the implementation of the “Block the Hatred. Share the Love! 2.0” awareness raisinginitiative, and responds to the recommendations of the latest EU Progress Report in the area of fundamental rights.

*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.