Act for Future – Study Visit in Kosovo: Learning from post-conflict civic engagement

”Is it safe? Where is it? How do you even get there? What currency do they use?”

These were some of the first questions we heard when we shared our idea of organizing a study visit to Kosovo. Despite its recent history, Kosovo remains unfamiliar to many in Europe. But that’s exactly why we wanted to go – to see beyond the headlines and discover what we, as youth workers, can learn from a society that has rebuilt itself after conflict.

The cooperation between Youth Centre Villa Elba in Finland and the Youth Centre Drenas in Kosovo began a few years ago at a contact-making seminar organized by the Finnish National Agency for Erasmus+ Youth. What started with youth exchanges, team volunteering and staff mobility soon sparked deeper questions: What can we learn from each other? And more specifically: What can we in Finland learn from Kosovo – a country that has, in a relatively short time, started rebuilding its democracy and civic structures after war?

In times when conflict affects many societies up close, we believe it is crucial to also focus on post-conflict rebuilding and the role of youth work in peacebuilding. That’s where the idea of a study visit titled ”Act for Future” was born.

The study visit, funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme (Youth workers mobility), took place from April 7–12, 2025 in Pristina, Kosovo. It brought together 30 youth workers from across Europe – including participants from Turkey, Montenegro, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Estonia, Finland and Kosovo. The group was a diverse mix of both new in the field just beginning their work with young people and more experienced organizations.

From the very first day, facilitaded by Avdyl Gashi (executive director of Youth Center Drenas), the group explored the concept of civic activism. What does it mean in different countries? How has it evolved over time? What levels of engagement can we recognize, and how can they be supported?

We met a range of inspiring individuals and organizations throughout the week. Representative from the OSCE Mission in Kosovo (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) shared insights into how international cooperation has supported democratic development in the country. One clear message emerged: building democracy is not a solo effort – it requires collaboration across sectors and support from civil society and international partners alike.

Stories of change and hope

One of the most powerful moments came from the story of Elisabeth Gowing. She is now working as advisor of the prime minister on community affairs. Her civil activism is a reminder of how individual action, rooted in local reality, can lead to systemic change. She had worked dedicatedly to ensure that children from the Roma minority gained access to education.

The group also visited the Kosovo Civil Society Foundation, which supports grassroots initiatives across the country. In Prizren, group explored the Innovation and Training Park – a vibrant space for local entrepreneurs, youth initiatives, and community actors to collaborate and grow. Cultural activism was another key theme, showcased through visits to DokuFest, Autostrada Hangar, and Kino Lumbardi – all of which use film and art as tools for dialogue, civic activisim, and societal reflection.

On the last day we had inspiring session focused on the theme ”when citizens — especially youth — become political.” The group visited a local political party and met with a young, newly elected Member of Parliament. His story of civic engagement, political participation, and youth representation offered valuable insight into how young people in Kosovo are stepping into decision-making roles and shaping the future of their country.