KCSS hosted the TTX “From Online Conflict to a School Safety Risk,” examining institutional response and coordination. The activity was implemented with @IDM_Albania with support from @OpenSocietyWB

A very important discussion took place on Friday in Prishtina on geopolitics and strengthening security and democratic resilience in the Western Balkans, with the support of @OpenSocietyWB Together with colleagues from the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy @bezbednost_org , as co-leads of the Thematic Working Group on Security, Resilience & Geopolitics, we presented and tested the draft recommendations developed through three online regional consultations as part of the preparations for the Civil Society & Think Tank Forum 2026. The recommendations will now be further improved and refined ahead of the Forum in Prishtina on 5–7 October and the Leaders’ Summit in Podgorica on 22 October 2026. Our main message was clear: security threats neither start nor end at borders. They are shaped by weak institutions, corruption, illicit finance, declining citizen trust and engagement, and existing divisions and affective polarisation that can be exploited by external actors. The region already has many commitments. What we need is stronger implementation and accountability. The five recommendations developed by the working group focus on: - Treating the rule of law and illicit finance as security priorities. - Integrating cybersecurity and creating an operational hybrid-threat network. - Testing critical-infrastructure preparedness. - Including communities and young people in security planning. - Opening relevant EU security mechanisms to the Western Balkans before accession. Western Balkan governments should also demonstrate a clear commitment to active participation in the European Democracy Shield (EDS). Ambassador of Montenegro to Kosovo, Bernard Cobaj, reminded us that democratic and European stability cannot be taken for granted and that regional cooperation must remain part of our collective resilience. @LorenaSekiraqa stressed the strategic connection between security, EU accession and regional cooperation, while drawing attention to implementation gaps affecting existing regional agreements. Lura Pollozhani highlighted the need to protect democracy while pursuing stability and security. @danilo_kalezic encouraged us to look beyond individual disinformation campaigns and examine the political, institutional, economic and media infrastructure that enables foreign influence. @danilovic_una stressed that civil society must be included in security planning while also being protected from the misuse of security and financial regulations. The discussion also provided concrete suggestions on youth participation, gender, minority representation, local organisations, illicit finance and early warning. These contributions will help us make the final recommendations stronger and more practical. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the consultations and Friday’s discussion, and to our partners and supporters who made this process possible.

This week, KCSS and #HERA brought together researchers, practitioners, and civil society representatives from Kosovo and North Macedonia to a webinar supported by Rockefeller Brothers Fund to discuss a question that deserves far more attention in the Western Balkans: how can we strengthen democratic resilience and social cohesion in our societies? One of the key takeaways was that social cohesion should be viewed as part of our security infrastructure. Political polarization, declining trust, exclusionary narratives, and attacks on democratic values create vulnerabilities that can be exploited by both domestic and external actors. Addressing these challenges requires closer cooperation, stronger institutions, and greater investment in young people and local communities. The discussion has now been captured in a reflection paper (KCSS and HERA), prepared following the webinar. You can read the paper below. 📺 Watch the webinar debate here: lnkd.in/di9H8Hiy qkss.org/en/publikimet/dokum…

📷 Thirrje për aplikim! QKSS fton të rinjtë dhe të diplomuarit e shkencave sociale të aplikojnë për Hulumtues në Terren në kuadër të Barometrit Kosovar të Sigurisë 2026. 📷 Afati i aplikimit: 31 gusht 2026 📷 Aplikoni duke dërguar CV, ID/Passport të skanuar dhe një letër të shkurtër motivimi në: info@qkss.org 📷 Përvoja paraprake në hulumtime në terren është përparësi, por nuk është e detyrueshme. Për më shumë: qkss.org/.../thirrje-per-apl…... - English 📷 Call for Applications! KCSS invites students and recent graduates in social sciences to apply as Field Researchers for the Kosovo Security Barometer 2026. 📷 Application deadline: 31 August 2026 📷 Submit your CV, scanned ID/Passport and short motivation letter to: info@qkss.org 📷 Previous field research experience is an advantage, but not required. For more: qkss.org/.../thirrje-per-apl… -Srpski 📷 Poziv za prijavu! KCSS poziva studente i osobe koje su nedavno diplomirale na društvenim naukama da se prijave za poziciju terenskog istraživača/istraživačice u okviru Kosovskog bezbednosnog barometra 2026. 📷 Rok za prijavu: 31. avgust 2026. 📷 Pošaljite CV, skeniranu ličnu kartu/pasoš i kratko motivaciono pismo na: info@qkss.org 📷 Prethodno iskustvo u terenskom istraživanju je prednost, ali nije obavezno. Za više informacija: qkss.org/.../thirrje-per-apl…

How can Kosovo and North Macedonia strengthen democratic resilience and social cohesion at a time of growing political and regional challenges? Join the online webinar organized by #KCSS together with #HERA this Wednesday, 19 August, from 14:00 to 15:30 CET, bringing together researchers, policy experts, former government officials and diplomats and civil society leaders from Kosovo and North Macedonia. With Mila Carovska Mentor Vrajolli Dane Taleski Lura Pollozhani Ramadan Ilazi Sanela Shkrijelj Jeta Loshaj Mia Vukojevic Tringa Naka The discussion will explore relations between the two countries, shared democratic challenges, and opportunities for closer cooperation. 📅 Wednesday, 19 August ⏰ 14:00–15:30 CET 💻 Online webinar ➡️ Register for the webinar lnkd.in/ddm8dwEw Organized by KCSS and HERA, with the support of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. #Kosovo #NorthMacedonia #DemocraticResilience #SocialCohesion #WesternBalkans

How has the EU’s approach shaped the Kosovo-Serbia Normalisation Dialogue in recent years? In this new report, Dr Klodiana Beshku offers a fresh perspective on one of the region’s most consequential political processes. Focusing on the positions of Kosovo and Serbia, as well as analysis of how the EU’s own policies, internal divisions, and use of conditionality have influenced the trajectory of the dialogue between 2023 and 2025. The report argues that perceptions of asymmetric pressure have affected trust in the process and raises important questions about the EU’s role as a mediator, while also outlining pathways toward a more sustainable normalisation process. We are happy to publish this report with the support of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund as part of our broader efforts to promote peacebuilding, dialogue, and regional stability in the Western Balkans. You can read the report below: qkss.org/en/publikimet/be-ja…

Register to join our webinar with #HERA on Kosovo-North Macedonia relations on August 19th from 14:00-15:30 CET. 👉 lnkd.in/ddm8dwEw The Kosovar Centre for Security Studies (KCSS) and HERA invite you to an online webinar on 19 August, bringing together perspectives from Kosovo, North Macedonia and the wider Western Balkans. The discussion will examine how political polarization, coordinated malign narratives and anti-gender narratives affect public trust, social cohesion and democratic institutions. It will also explore why social cohesion should be treated as a security issue, with greater investment in prevention, early warning and democratic resilience. The webinar will give particular attention to Kosovo–North Macedonia relations and the role that civil society, institutions and communities can play in responding constructively to divisive narratives and strengthening regional cooperation. The conversation will focus on current challenges to security and stability, narratives that undermine trust and the Euro-Atlantic path, the influence of foreign actors, and opportunities for a more coordinated civil society response across the region. The aim is to support a practical regional conversation and identify recommendations for future cooperation, research and policy engagement. #Stability #Peace #WesternBalkans #NorthMacedonia #Kosovo #InterethnicRelations #EthnoPoliticalRadicalization #Narratives #FIMI

Join us now, live town hall on Kosovo- Serbia relations and normalization dialogue teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup…

The Kosovar Centre for Security Studies (KCSS) and the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy @bezbednost_org, with the support of the @OpenSocietyWB organized the third consultation webinar of the Berlin Process Civil Society Forum 2026 Working Group on Security, Resilience and Geopolitics on 29 July 2026. The discussion brought together experts, civil society representatives, researchers, and practitioners from across the Western Balkans and Europe. qkss.org/al/lajmi/siguria-re…

As part of our agenda promoting the #OperationalIntegration of the #WesternBalkans into the EU, in the context of gradual integration, we are launching today another paper that looks at an EU agency that can further advance relations with our region: the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). The paper examines how closer cooperation between the Western Balkans and the FRA can support reforms on fundamental rights, strengthen alignment with EU standards, and create new opportunities for practical cooperation well before full EU membership. It also takes stock of where each Western Balkan country currently stands in its engagement with the Agency and identifies pathways for deeper participation. This publication is part of #IGNITA initiative, supported by @OpenSocietyWB. qkss.org/en/publikimet/bashk…

How is Kosovo, our region and normalization dialogue presented in Chinese media? Our colleagues @Danlazi and Sadie Chavers, looked at 30 articles published between 2020 and 2026 by Chinese media outlets, including China Daily, Xinhua, Global Times, and Ejani, to better understand how Kosovo, Serbia, the EU-facilitated normalization dialogue, and the Western Balkans are portrayed. The main is that Serbia is usually presented as a trusted partner and sovereign actor, while Kosovo is more often framed as a dispute, a problem to be managed, or a region rather than a state with its own voice and agency. Chinese media rely on a consistent set of narratives centered around sovereignty, support for Serbia, memories of NATO's 1999 intervention, normalizatoin dialogue as crisis management, and economic connectivity. The report is about framing and looks at which voices are included? Which facts are highlighted? Which perspectives are missing? As competition over narratives and influence grows globally, understanding how external actors tell the story of Kosovo and the Western Balkans matters more than ever. qkss.org/en/publikimet/cfare…

We are happy to share a new policy paper by our colleague @danilo_kalezic marking one of his first publications with us as a newly joined non-resident fellow at KCSS. In this paper, Danilo looks at how different external actors shape political and institutional developments in Montenegro. The analysis shows how Russia, Serbia, and China use different approaches, but still end up contributing to the same broader challenge to the country which is weakening democratic resilience. It is a thoughtful contribution to ongoing discussions on foreign influence in the Western Balkans, and one that helps unpack a complex issue in a clear and structured way. We’re glad to have Danilo on board and look forward to more of his work. 👉 You can read the full report below: qkss.org/en/publikimet/traje…

Why do Greece, Romania, and Spain continue not to recognize Kosovo, and what does this mean for Kosovo’s European future? Our latest discussion paper examines the political and strategic factors shaping the positions of three EU non-recognisers and explores the implications for Kosovo’s path toward European integration. 📖 Read the full publication: qkss.org/al/publikimet/kosov… #KCSS #Kosovo #EUIntegration #WesternBalkans #ForeignPolicy

📍Në Gjimnazin “Dr. Shaban Hashani” në Ferizaj diskutuam rreth sigurisë së të rinjve në shkolla. 👥Gjetjet nga pyetësori tregojnë se nxënësit ndihen përgjithësisht të sigurt brenda klasës, ndërsa pasiguria shfaqet më shumë në tualete dhe në hapësirat përreth shkollës. Po ashtu, rrjetet sociale u përmendën si një nga shkaqet kryesore të konflikteve mes të rinjve. 📱Nxënësit theksuan nevojën për më shumë disiplinë në shkollë, mbështetje psikologjike dhe mekanizma më të besueshëm raportimi. 📌Këto aktivitete kontribuojnë në hartimin e rekomandimeve të bazuara në evidenca, me synim krijimin e një mjedisi më të sigurt dhe gjithëpërfshirës për të rinjtë. Ky aktivitet u zhvillua në kuadër të projektit “Brezi i rrezikuar: Trajtimi i kriminalitetit tek të rinjtë dhe siguria në shkolla përmes hulumtimit dhe reformimit të bazuar në evidenca”, zbatuar nga QKSS në bashkëpunim me @IDM_Albania me mbështetje nga @OpenSocietyWB qkss.org/al/lajmi/qkss-zhvil…