Winter School in North Mitrovica: Bridging the Gap between Serbia and Kosovo

Public Call for participation in the

Winter School in North Mitrovica: Bridging the Gap between Serbia and Kosovo

Dates: 8–10 December 2025

Place: North Mitrovica, Hotel Ador

The European Policy Centre (CEP) and Sbunker invite civil society representatives, young professionals, journalists, researchers and other interested stakeholders from Serbia and Kosovo to apply for a three-day Winter School dedicated to strengthening capacities for monitoring the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue.

The Winter School is organised within the project Supporting the EU Enlargement through the Normalisation Process between Serbia and Kosovo: Civil Society as a Driver of Progress, supported by the Open Society Institute – Sofia Foundation within the “Think Tanks for the Future of EU Enlargement Program” (TFEP). The project highlights the essential role of civil society in contributing to the normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo, an issue central to regional security, minority rights, cooperation, and EU integration. By fostering collaboration between civil society organisations (CSOs) in both communities and strengthening their capacity to monitor the dialogue, the initiative aims to support transparent, constructive engagement with the EU-facilitated process. The project is implemented by CEP (Belgrade) and Sbunker (Pristina), in collaboration with Carnegie Europe (Brussels).

About the Winter School

The Winter School will gather 15 participants from Serbia and Kosovo for an intensive programme consisting of thematic lectures, practical exercises, visits to international organisations, and facilitated group work. Participants will gain deeper understanding of the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue, peacebuilding, conflict prevention and reconciliation, and the role of civil society in monitoring agreements and promoting accountability.

The Winter School offers participants four thematic sessions with accompanying exercises. First, it will delve into normalisation dialogue under the EU auspices on Day 1 of the event. On Day 2, participants will have the chance to visit UNMIK and OSCE regional offices in Mitrovica and attend the thematic session on journalists’ perspectives on normalisation of relations. Finally, during Day 3 of the Winter School, participants will have the chance to hear and learn more about the international missions and Kosovo Albanian and Serb CSOs in Kosovo on two separate thematic sessions.

This three-day workshop will also contribute to the project’s upcoming Shadow Report on the state of the normalisation dialogue.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• be residents of Serbia or Kosovo,
• be active in civil society, media, youth initiatives, academia, or public institutions,
• demonstrate interest in EU integration, security, dialogue processes, or related fields,
• be able to attend the full three-day programme (8–10 December 2025)
• have working proficiency in English (the working language of the Winter School).

Application Deadline

November 26, 2025

Selection Process

Participants will be selected by CEP and Sbunker based on:

• Motivation letter (clarity of motivation, relevance of interests, and potential to apply acquired knowledge),
• Curriculum vitae,
• Demonstrated interest or experience in topics related to the dialogue, EU enlargement, civil society, peacebuilding, or regional cooperation,
• Balance considerations, ensuring representation across gender, ethnicity, communities, sectors, and geography.

The selection process will be completed by 28 November, and the list of selected participants will be published on the CEP and Sbunker websites on the same date.

Costs

Accommodation, meals, local transport during the programme, and organised visits are fully covered by the organisers. Travel arrangements will be communicated to selected participants.

How to Apply

Please submit your application through the following online form: Google Form link

For any additional questions, please contact:

• CEP: ljubica.kovacevic@cep.org.rs
• Sbunker: hana@sbunker.net