Between September and December 2009, the European Centre for Minority Issues Kosovo (ECMI Kosovo) and the Secretariat of the Consultative Council for Communities (CCC) organised a series of meetings and workshops across Kosovo, to provide civil society representatives from eight communities with technical support during nominations for community membership of the CCC.

As the Kosovo Government assumes full executive power post-independence, ensuring its ability to effectively protect and promote the rights and interests of communities is a key concern for Kosovo’s long-term stability. In order to achieve this goal, a functional institutional system addressing the rights and interests of communities is necessary.

o promote awareness of the 15 November 2009 Municipal Elections ECMI Kosovo developed a voter education campaign targeting the Serb and Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in the 3+1 new municipalities where elections were organised: Novo Brdo/Novobërdë, Gracanica/Graçanicë, Klokot- Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc and Ranilug/Ranillug. The activities included face to face meetings with community representatives, the organisation of round tables, the development of printed materials (i.e. leaflets, flyers and posters), the organisation of a press conference and the broadcasting of radio clips. ECMI Kosovo and its field officers coordinated all their activities closely with the CEC, ICO and Municipal Preparation Teams.

The European Centre for Minority Issues Kosovo (ECMI Kosovo) is currently engaged in a decentralisation project aimed at increasing the awareness of communities on decentralisation and furthering their involvement in this process, financed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. During June and July 2009 ECMI Kosovo has focussed its activities on women living in the new municipalities south of the Ibar river. It organised eight round table and two focus group discussions.

This report is the first of a series from the project: Improving Service Delivery and Minority Rights Awareness at the Municipal and Civil Society Level. The project seeks to provide support to local municipal authorities and civil society organisations to deliver education to students from minority communities.

This report is the second in a series from the project: Improving Service Delivery and Minority Rights Awareness at the Municipal and Civil Society Level. The project seeks to provide support to local municipal authorities and civil society organisations to deliver education to students from minority communities.