OSCE Mission in Kosovo

12/08/2026

🌍Happy !✨

Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are the changemakers of today, helping build societies where everyone’s voice, rights and opportunities matter.

celebrated the day by supporting activities that brought young people together across communities:

📍Gračanica/Graçanicë

Young people, civil society representatives and municipal officials participated at the Gracanica Innovation Centre(GIC) for an interactive workshop combining dialogue, youth rights and participation with hands-on learning in 3D printing, robotics, Arduino and AI.

The activity, organized by GIC, the Forum for Development and Multiethnic Co-operation and supported by the municipality of Gračanica/Graçanicë, brought young people from different communities together to foster co-operation, civic engagement and creative problem-solving, using technology and innovation as a starting point for teamwork and exchange.🤖

📍Obiliq/Obilić

Through “Mapping Shared Spaces – Youth Stories of Obiliq/Obilić,” young people from different communities identified parks, sports grounds, cultural facilities, libraries and other spaces that could serve as safe and inclusive places for joint activities.

The activity, implemented by Youth Center, aimed to turn young people’s ideas and experiences into a practical map and recommendations for municipal institutions and youth stakeholders, while promoting inter-community dialogue, youth participation and co-operation.🌳🏀📚

📍 Kamenicë/Kamenica

Our OSCE colleague Faruk Dermaku met with Erza Shillova, the designated Kamenicë/Kamenica “Mayor for a Day”, to discuss youth-related issues and explore how local government can better integrate young people’s perspectives into its work, while giving youth first-hand experience in municipal governance.

🤝The Mission highlighted the importance of establishing a Local Youth Council in Gračanica/Graçanicë and Obiliq/Obilić as a key mechanism for meaningful youth participation in local decision-making, in line with the new Law on Youth.

12/08/2026

12/08/2026

📢We have new ! Check them out and apply:

➡️Deputy Head of Mission, https://shorturl.at/CZr1R
➡️Special Adviser on Non-Albanian Communities and Outreach Co-ordinator (S4), https://shorturl.at/cdWnp
➡️International Consultant on Media Literacy _(SSA), https://shorturl.at/2PiLM
➡️Human Resources Officer (S2), https://shorturl.at/NqBDs
➡️International evaluation consultant (decentralized evaluation) on organized crime (SSA), https://shorturl.at/sj5w7
➡️International expert to deliver a Training of Trainers (ToT) module on investigating environmental crimes (SSA), https://tinyurl.com/5x89rw46

11/08/2026

Head of Mission Ambassador Gerard McGurk joined the 13th Kosovo International Summer Academy as a guest lecturer, sharing insights with young professionals, students and researchers from around the world on building peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies.

💬“Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is the presence of trust, inclusive institutions, respect for human rights and the capacity to address differences without violence”, said Ambassador McGurk, highlighting that sustainable peace is built step by step through prevention, dialogue, responsive institutions, local leadership and meaningful participation.



📸OSCE/Leurina Mehmeti

10/08/2026

Head of the Mission, Ambassador Gerard McGurk, met Chief Prosecutor Zejnullah Gashi for an introductory meeting, congratulating him on his recent appointment and welcoming the renewed leadership of the prosecution service following a prolonged period of institutional uncertainty.

The meeting focused on the Chief Prosecutor’s priorities for his mandate and on strengthening the effectiveness, integrity and credibility of the prosecutorial system.

Ambassador McGurk reaffirmed the ’s continued support to his Office and the wider prosecutorial system, underscoring the importance of safeguarding its independence, integrity and professionalism.

📸OSCE/Leurina Mehmeti

06/08/2026

The Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Gerard McGurk, met the Chairperson of the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC), Rrustem Thaqi, to reaffirm the OSCE's continued support for the institutional independence of the KJC.

Both agreed on the fundamental importance of continued transparency in the Council's work, and full respect for the KJC's mandate and institutional autonomy.

The OSCE Mission remains committed to supporting a judiciary that upholds the rule of law and ensures the proper representation of all communities across Kosovo.

📸OSCE/Leurina Mehmeti

Këshilli Gjyqësor i Kosovës

05/08/2026

Today, the Head of OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Gerard McGurk, met with the newly established RTK Board and the newly appointed Director General, Ms. Zana Spahiu. The meeting, which took place following the restoration of the RTK Board's quorum, focused on RTK's strategic vision and priorities for the period ahead.

Discussions reaffirmed the strong partnership between the Mission and the public broadcaster in support of Kosovo's media environment. Joint agreement on the need to secure RTK's financial sustainability, as well as ongoing efforts to design and lead future organizational reforms and transformation.

Ambassador McGurk reaffirmed the Mission's readiness to continue supporting RTK in fulfilling its public service mandate, stressing the importance of responding to growing media disinformation via consolidated internal fact checking functions.

Ambassador committed to contributing to advocacy efforts aimed at identifying sustainable solutions to address systemic challenges, including through the adoption of a new, modern Law on RTK.

📸: OSCE/Leurina Mehmeti

03/08/2026

Our Head of the Office of Political Affairs and Communications, Mr. Maid Konjhodžić, paid a courtesy visit to Gazmend Muhaxheri, Mayor of Pejë/Peć Municipality, to exchange views on local and broader political developments.

The discussion highlighted the municipality's successes in advancing good governance, co-operation with non-majority and religious communities, recent engagement by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, as well as developments at the central level and the evolving post-electoral landscape.

Constructive dialogue with local institutions remains an important part of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo’s work to support good governance, the protection of community rights, and confidence-building across Kosovo.

Photos: OSCE/Erton Deçani

03/08/2026

🛑Synthetic and designer drugs present growing challenges for correctional services, posing risks to institutional security, staff safety, and the mental wellbeing of personnel working in closed and high-pressure environments.

To address these risks, the Mission delivered a specialized training to members of the Association of Women in Kosovo Correctional Service on identifying emerging synthetic and designer drugs.

Through expert guidance, practical case studies and scenario-based discussions, participants strengthened their ability to:
💊recognize new drug types,
🔍identify concealment methods,
📖understand related health and safety risks, and
🚫prevent smuggling into correctional facilities.

🤝Through this activity, the Mission contributes to safer correctional facilities, improved operational readiness and strengthened institutional resilience.

31/07/2026

Ambassador Gerard McGurk met with the Mayor of Deçan/Dečani Bashkim Ramosaj and Abbot Sava Janjić at Visoki Dečani Monastery for constructive discussions on cultural and religious heritage.

With the Mayor, the focus was on strengthening municipal level co-operation, fostering dialogue, and supporting initiatives that safeguard Kosovo’s rich cultural legacy.

Talks with Abbot Sava centred on recent developments concerning the Special Protective Zone and broader issues of heritage protection. Both meetings highlighted the importance of preserving cultural and religious heritage within existing legal frameworks, promoting constructive dialogue, and maintaining effective channels of communication.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo remains committed to supporting dialogue, confidence-building, and the protection of cultural and religious heritage as an important contribution to lasting peace, mutual respect, and sustainable inter-community relations.

Photos: OSCE/Erton Decani