PROJECT TITLE:

Cultural Heritage as a Driver for Intercommunity Dialogue and Social Cohesion

OVERALL OBJECTIVE:

The main purpose of third phase of project, Cultural Heritage as a Driver for Intercommunity Dialogue and Social Cohesion  is to strengthen inter-community trust and social cohesion and contribute to enhance the public perception that religious heritage is a common public good that must be respected and preserved for the benefit of all communities.

LOCATION:

Kosovo

SECTOR:

Community Development

DURATION:

24 months (01/12/2020- 01/12/2022)

VALUE:

Total cost of the project €1, 999,876

IMPLEMENTING AGENCY:

United Nations Development Programme - UNDP

PARTNERS:

Municipalities, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Regional Centres for Cultural Heritage CSOs/NGOs, Religious communities, Kosovo Police

TARGET AREA:

Kosovo

BENEFICIARIES:

Communities, cultural institutions at municipal levels, grass-root organisations, religious communities

ACTIVITIES:

Restoration, rehabilitation and beautification of cultural and religious sites - Enhances the visibility of monuments and encourages tourism and therefore contributes to the promotion of cultural heritage of communities. Promotion of intangible cultural heritage as a bond for social cohesion - Focuses on the inclusion of women and youth in protection and preservation of intangible cultural heritage, which promotes economic empowerment and counters divisive narratives. - Promotes intangible cultural heritage as a driver for cultural diversity and mutual respect while providing economic opportunities for marginalised or disenfranchised groups. Strengthened capacities to protect and preserve cultural heritage through institutional mechanisms - Focuses on participatory governance of cultural heritage which involves all interested parties in decision-making, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating cultural heritage policies and programmes. By harmonising central, regional and local level institutions, the project contributes to building trust between citizens and public authorities.

RESULTS:

Improved inter-ethnic acceptance through protection of cultural and religious sites: - Rehabilitation of at least 14 municipalities and 15 cultural and religious sites contributing to preservation of vernacular cultural heritage; - Active engagement of municipalities and citizens increases respect for shared cultural heritage. Inclusion of women and young people in intangible cultural heritage activities: - Improvement of awareness and development of intangible cultural heritage through women and youth engagement: a) skills development of women and youth contributing to improved employability of women and youth while safeguarding intangible cultural heritage through traditional arts and crafts; b) promotion of social cohesion and cultural heritage through learning and awareness raising sessions; c) organisation of the Challenge Prize Competition to engage with young artists; d) regular and structured events for youth from all communities; e) provision of digital opportunities for innovation and social cohesion. Strengthened institutional capacities to address protection of cultural needs, leading to improved trust from communities: - Supporting and cooperating with IMC (Implementation and Monitoring Council) to facilitate the resolution of difficult and politically sensitive cases; - Building trust between the community and the Kosovo Police by educating youth on the necessity to protect and learn about cultural and religious heritage through mini-tours and camps; - Strengthening municipal capacities to engage in heritage protection through interventions involving meetings to advance selected municipalities’ understanding of spatial planning, budgeting and the potential for economic development through cultural tourism.