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Home Where we are Mission in Kosovo What we do
OSCE Mission in Kosovo

What we do

Among the OSCE’s largest field operations, the Mission in Kosovo runs a wide array of activities, from support to the functioning of democratic institutions and civic participation in decision-making, to the promotion of human rights and the rule of law. It is particularly engaged in the protection of community rights; protection of cultural and religious heritage; monitoring the judiciary; gender mainstreaming; media freedoms and development; promotion of anti-discrimination mechanisms; improving young people’s participation in political and public life; countering terrorism and cyberthreats; advanced police training and support to key policing strategies; and support to the implementation of agreements stemming from the European Union-facilitated dialogue between Prishtinë/Priština and Belgrade. The Mission monitors the work of institutions and helps strengthen legislation and policies covering the protection of human and community rights; anti-discrimination; freedom of expression; gender equality; and the fight against organized crime.
Countering terrorism
The OSCE Mission provides support to Kosovo institutions in drafting, implementing and updating the strategy and action plan for preventing and countering terrorism. It implements activities to support police efforts counter terrorism and violent extremism and radicalization, and to strengthen the role of civil society, women, youth and religious leaders.
Elections
The OSCE Mission provides electoral stakeholders in Kosovo with technical expert advice, support and expertise. It co-operates with and supports the Central Election Commission and the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel to strengthen their capacities in line with international standards and good practices. Furthermore, the Mission provides assistance, expertise and support to the Assembly of Kosovo when carrying out the electoral legal reform process.
Gender equality
Women’s empowerment, gender equality and women’s rights are at the core of all the OSCE Mission’s activities. The Mission focuses on supporting enactment and implementation of non-discriminatory legal frameworks and policies. Particular attention is given to women’s participation in public and political life and gender-responsive budgeting to ensure that the interests of women and men are equally taken into account in all public policies.
Good governance
The OSCE Mission supports institutions across all levels of governance to improve their efficacy and efficiency in line with best international standards and practices, focussing in particular on increasing their capacities on inter-institutional co-operation and co-ordination, the development of oversight mechanisms, and ensuring the inclusivity of the overall decision-making processes.
Human rights
The OSCE Mission works to advance human and community rights through their monitoring, protection, and promotion. It supports Kosovo institutions in complying with legislation and international legal instruments, carries out legislative and policy review, and supports the development of new policies and legislation when needed. The Mission monitors and reports on the work of executive, judicial, legislative and law enforcement institutions regarding compliance with human and communities’ rights, with particular focus on property and housing rights of non-majority communities, displaced persons and women.
Media freedom and development
The OSCE Mission works closely with key media institutions, including the Press Council of Kosovo, the Independent Media Commission, and Radio Television of Kosovo, to support them become effective and fully functioning institutions through monitoring, reporting, and advocacy initiatives. It monitors and coordinates with journalist associations and security sector institutions regarding the safety of journalists and seeks to establish better working conditions for media workers. The Mission reviews and provides recommendations to the Assembly on any new or revised media related legislation.
Policing
The OSCE Mission works with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Kosovo Police and other public safety agencies to help improve their effectiveness in combating and preventing all forms of threats and fostering a safe and secure environment for all communities living in Kosovo.
Rule of law
To support the independence, impartiality and accountability of the justice system, the Mission monitors and reports on the work of the courts through a comprehensive trial and justice sector monitoring program. The program assesses whether the justice system performs in compliance with international human rights and rule of law standards. It engages in activities to improve the performance of the justice sector and to support non-judicial institutions in defending human rights.
Tolerance and non-discrimination
The OSCE Mission works with religious leaders, young people and school officials to promote tolerance, inter-community and inter-faith dialogue and acceptance of diversity in Kosovo. It advises institutions on how to improve and implement anti-discrimination legislation and policies that promote inter-community relations.
Youth
The OSCE Mission actively promotes an inclusive approach to making youth voices heard and contributing to a conducive youth legal and administrative framework. In particular, it supports their participation and contribution to policy and decision-making processes, which aim to tackle problems they face in everyday life. Special emphasis is placed on strengthening the participation of young women, young people belonging to non-majority communities, from rural and hard-to-reach areas, as well as young people belonging to vulnerable groups, such as young people with disabilities and victims of gender-based violence.