Past Projects
Past Projects

Background Note:
 
THE FUTURE OF THE RECONCILIATION PROCESS WITHIN KOSOVO AND BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA
This paper analyzed and depicted the process of reconciliation in Kosovo and between Kosovo and Serbia and gave an overarching view of the progress, challenges, and opportunities that both countries have. Furthermore, it scanned the opportunities that both countries could gain concerning the reconciliation through the process of the dialogue.
 

 
 
Background Note:
 
KOSOVO’S INHERITED INTERNATIONAL DEBT
 
This paper analysis was oriented on Kosovo’s inherited international debt, and it focused on the obligations that Kosovo has. This paper aimed to compare the experiences of other former Yugoslav countries while defining the foreign creditors and related amounts. It covered four specific issues; it began with (I) the internal source and scope of Kosovo’s obligation to comply with the repayment of its inherited international debts; (II) explored the experience of the other former Yugoslav countries; (III) defined the foreign creditors and measured or calculated the scope of inherited debt, including, as applicable, both the paid and remaining amounts. The Paper ended with section IV, which set out conclusions and recommendations.

Background Note:

REPARATIONS FOR WAR CRIMES COMMITTED IN KOSOVO IN THE LIGHT OF THE FUTURE COMPREHENSIVE LEGALLY-BINDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA

This paper explored the magnitude of damage and destruction caused by the authorities of the Republic of Serbia and, as applicable, former The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, in the territory of Kosovo, ensuing from the war crimes and other related atrocities committed by the said authorities. The methodology was primarily based on authoritative data, qualitative and quantitative, produced and published by neutral mediums or institutionalized forums, judicial (e.g., ICTY) and otherwise (e.g., Human Rights Watch) that have exhibited a specifically high degree of objectivity in establishing and presenting them pertinent facts.


Background Note:
TREPÇA

This paper aimed to highlight the legal status of enterprises in the former Yugoslavia and also the relevance of the relations between the constituent units of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY).In this context, the specific case which was analysed was the socially-owned enterprise (SOE) Trepça in Kosovo. Trepça was the largest socially owned enterprise in Kosovo and a significant exporter and source of foreign exchange earning in Yugoslavia. It was a large industrial, metallurgical and chemical complex based in Kosovo (though it also had some assets in other parts of Yugoslavia). At its height in the early 1980s, it employed some 22,000 people though the employment level was gradually reduced during the 1980s and later years.


Background Note:

SERBIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE IN KOSOVO

The cultural heritage of a country is the product of all the various peoples who have inhabited the land from prehistory to modern times. It is, therefore, as a rule, varied and diverse, reflecting the ethnic character of its creators. This paper dealt with the Serbian cultural heritage (henceforth, SRCH) in Kosovo and how this could be addressed in the context of an eventual agreement between Kosovo and Serbia on the normalization of their relations. The aim of this paper was so that it could serve as a guide to the nexus of complex and sensitive issues that were evoked by the title and which constitute an essential ingredient of the Kosovo reality today. 


Background Note:

THE CLAIMS OF SERBIA REGARDING 'INVESTMENTS' FROM SERBIAN SOCIALLY OWNED ENTERPRISES IN KOSOVO AFTER 1999 IN THE CONTEXT OF AN EVENTUAL 'GRAND FINALE'

This paper has analyzed the issue of publicly owned enterprises and socially owned enterprises in light of the claims made above. Moreover it has argued that investments made during the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia’s existence and those made before 1999 belong to the respective states where those assets and companies are located; secondly, all Serbia’s state property as a successor state of the SFRY including publicly owned enterprises’ assets located in Kosovo shall pass to Kosovo as a successor state; thirdly, socially owned enterprises which are headquartered in one country but have assets in another country, should be exchanged on an equitable the basis or compensated by the respective states; and finally, this paper did propose mechanisms for resolving claims made by the negotiating parties as well as creditors’ claims over publicly owned enterprises and socially owned enterprises.


Background Note: 
 
BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA REGARDING THE ENERGY SECTOR

This Background Note has investigated thoroughly the agreements on the energy and other fields that derivate from the 2011-2018 Kosovo- Serbia dialogue. In addition to that, it has given an analysis of the way forward of the dialogue, especially related to the energy and other agreements.


Background Note:
 
THE ISSUE OF PENSION AND DISABILITY FUND OF KOSOVO IN THE CONTEXT OF AN EVENTUAL 'GRAND FINALE' BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA

In this study, the aim was to estimate the potential debt to contributory pensioners as a prerequisite for claiming compensation from The Republic of Serbia, which unlawfully abolished and suspended the payment of pension benefits to Albanian and Non-Serb contributory pensioners in Kosova.


Background Note:  
 
THE ISSUE OF STATE SUCCESSION IN THE LIGHT OF AN EVENTUAL 'GRAND FINALE' BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA

State succession can occur in a number of different contexts, including the cession or yielding of territory (for example, the cession of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to The People's Republic of China in 1997), the incorporation of one state into another (for example, the incorporation of the German Democratic Republic into the Federal Republic of Germany in 1990), the merger of two states (for example, the union of North and South Yemen in 1990), the complete dissolution of a state (as occurred with the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1991-92), and the secession of part of a state from an existing state, whether consensually (for example, the secession of South Sudan from Sudan in 2011) or non-consensually (as with the secession of Bangladesh [East Pakistan] from Pakistan in 1971). This project dealt with the case of state succession in the former Yugoslavia, with special emphasis on Kosovo.


Background Note:  
 
THE ISSUE OF DISPLACED PERSONS IN THE CONTEXT OF AN EVENTUAL 'GRAND FINALE' BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA

This project analyzed the issue of displaced persons during and after the war in Kosovo, by providing factors that influenced the displacement of persons inside and outside of Kosovo. It further presented the engagement of Kosovo and international institutions in addressing this issue, the budget spent on projects regarding displaced persons by internal and international donors, as well as Kosovo’s position in the negotiation process of dialogue in this regard.


Background Note: 
 
THE ISSUE OF MISSING PERSONS IN THE CONTEXT OF AN EVENTUAL 'GRAND FINALE' BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA

This paper has outlined the reasons and the arguments that the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia has to include in the agenda the issue of missing persons during the armed conflict of 1998-1999 and its aftermath. The aim of this project was to provide information on the background of armed conflict in Kosovo, international and national legal framework, and operating mechanisms in Kosovo and their input and policy on the issue of missing persons. 


Poll: 
 
VOX POPULI ON THE 'GRAND FINALE' BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA (Volume II)

Following the first survey, RIDEA Institute conducted a second survey, Vox Populi on the ‘Grand Finale’ between Kosovo and Serbia (Volume II) from 21-28 May 2019. Thus, the main objective of the survey was to understand more in-depth the motives and the attitudes of the citizens regarding the scenarios on the eventual Final Deal between Kosovo and Serbia. The aim of this survey was to understand the situational factors that impact public support, or the lack of support, for different scenarios on the so-called ‘grand finale’.

Poll: 
 
VOX POPULI ON THE 'GRAND FINALE' BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA (Volume I) 

The aim of this survey was to understand the perceptions and attitudes of citizens (Vox Populi) regarding the scenarios on the 'grand finale' between Kosovo and Serbia. The dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia has entered its final phase and a number of eventual scenarios have been depicted in various studies and debates. Thus, one other objective of the survey was to understand the public support, or perhaps lack of support, for different scenarios for the eventual Final Deal between Kosovo and Serbia.


Research Project:
 
SCENARIOS FOR THE 'GRAND FINALE' BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA

The research paper has discussed the on-going dialogue, including achievements and failures, preparations for the final stage of the dialogue and outlined the main eventual scenarios, including some sub-variants. Moreover, this research paper analysis different scenarios related to the result of the future process.


Research Project:

Dismantling/deconstructing the main eventual scenarios for the ‘historic’ deal between Kosovo and Serbia

The objective of this project (including the research paper and the consultation process) was to provide input to the establishment of a platform for Kosovo, as a basis for a restart of the dialogue with Serbia. In other words, to facilitate the broadest possible consensus for a new platform/mandate for Kosovo’s institutions, in this context. The aim was therefore for the project to be fully implemented before a restart of the dialogue, although some of the outreach activities might go beyond this time frame.


Policy Assessment:

Assessment Report of Curricula of Law Faculties in Kosovo

The aim of the report was to assess the current state of the affairs in the legal education in public and private universities in Kosovo, focusing primarily on the role of the practice in the study programs offered at the bachelor level, and provide recommendations to strengthen the practical skills of the graduates joining the legal professions, in line with the good practices in European countries.

The screening of legal education includes a review of the law curricula provided by the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) offering legal education and the factual situation qualitatively assessed based on the information collected during the fieldwork from interviewees. The review of the alignment of law curricula with the requirements for becoming a member of the free legal professions-lawyers, notaries, private enforcement agents, mediators, bankruptcy administrators in Kosovo intends to explore the need for potential changes of these curricula and/or for the reform of the Bar Exam in Kosovo.


Policy Paper:

Kosovo Security Force (KSF): Past, Present and It's Future

There are two objectives that this project was intended to achieve: First, to try identifying the political and security challenges ahead that Kosovo might encounter in its path towards changing the mission and duties of the KSF, or of a possibility of transforming immediately the KSF into KAF through constitutional changes. Then, the second objective was to identify the possible legal and constitutional challenges that this process might encounter during the implementation stage. Therefore, if we link both these purposes it could be summed up as follows: the final purpose of this project will be to bring a new perspective upon identification through an in-depth analytical, political and academic discussion the main challenges that lay ahead for changing the mission and duties of the KSF or for transforming the KSF into KAF. Additionally, to identify the possible policies of how to cope with these challenges.


Policy-oriented Project:

A Series of Roundtables in the Main Regions of Kosovo

In each of the seven regions of Kosovo at least a single roundtable/meeting with citizens, business sector and academia was carried out regarding visa liberalization issue and the benefits from the implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) for Kosovo’s economy.

The project aimed to: provide the general public and interested stakeholders with information on what SAA for Kosovo is and what are the benefits; support Kosovo’s institutions to manage public expectations in Kosovo-EU relations. In short, the idea was to raise awareness amongst Kosovo citizens on different aspects of the European integration process, particularly on the visa liberalization process and the SAA.


Research Project:

Political Parties in the Western Balkans

This research project dealt with the political ideology of political parties in various countries of the Western Balkans.


Policy Paper:

Building the case for Kosovo’s application for membership in the EU

To date, Kosovo is not recognized by five EU member-states. Nonetheless, on 1 April 2016, the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and Kosovo entered into force. The SAA between Kosovo and EU foresees, among others, the creation of a free trade zone between the EU and Kosovo; approximation of Kosovo law to the EU Acquis; fight against corruption and organized crime. The successful implementation of the SAA is the first step toward joining the EU for Western Balkan countries. In Kosovo’s case, it establishes a contractual relationship with the EU despite the non-recognition by five EU member-states of its independence. This project has assessed the enlargement policy of the EU towards Kosovo and whether or not Kosovo can apply for EU membership in light of the particular circumstances of its case. It relied on the EU enlargement policy and the relevant treaties regulating this field.


Policy Paper:

EU Programmes: Access Granted

Kosovo signed the Framework Agreement with the EU for Access to the EU programmes. Following the signature and entry into force of such agreement, Kosovo needs to identify specific programmes it wants to participate and apply for such programmes. This paper attempted to provide a potential list of programmes that Kosovo should consider applying, in order to get the best of it, for its citizens.


Public Opinion Poll:

Public Opinion Perception of European Integration

The aim of this survey was to: a) identify the perception of the public opinion on the European integration process; b) identify the perception of the public opinion on the SAA (Stabilization and Association Agreement); and c) identify the perception of the public opinion on the visa liberalization process. The opinion poll was conducted based on a reliable and credible research methodology and the quantity data’s obtained from the research were processed through SPSS. The survey was conducted on a sample of 1000 respondents in 7 main regions of Kosovo. The sample was chosen through simple proportional sampling.


Impact and Summative Evaluation:

Assessment of the World Bank project in Kosovo

The evaluation findings made qualified statements on the question of if/ how far the project has achieved its objectives as per the results framework and assess impact through appropriate and innovative methods. The evaluation also has drawn the future use of the findings/learnings for similar interventions in Kosovo and wider, in the context of youth development programming.


Policy Assessment:

Capacity Assessment of Civil Servants in Kosovo’s Government involved in Policy Planning and European Integration Processes

This assessment which was supported by an EU-project offered the degree and type of competence of civil servants involved in the governmental process of policy planning and coordination and European integration processes. At the same time, this study identified training needs for the civil servants which were as a target group of this assessment.


Training:

Provision of training on various issues related to marketing, communications, economy, finance

The main task within this project was to design the training curricula and to deliver training for the young entrepreneurs in different parts of Kosovo, in the framework of a supported project by World Bank. The topics of these trainings were related to communication strategies, marketing, business, finance and economy, in general.


Research and Policy-oriented Project:

Eventual accession of Kosovo at United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): Challenges and Opportunities

Within the framework of a project supported by the British Council, the chief objective here was to strengthen the involvement and the role of civil society and academia in the policy-making process as relates to the process of enhancing the accession of Kosovo into various international agencies and organizations.


Policy Assessment:

Assessment of the impact of the Stabilization and Association Agreement on Kosovo’s society and its institutional structures

The rationale behind this project was linked with the fact that the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) is the first document which establishes concrete contractual relations between the European Union (EU) and Kosovo. As with other countries in the region of the Western Balkans, similarly in the case of Kosovo, the SAA will have an impact on the daily life of Kosovo’s citizens and also on the institutional structures of Kosovo. Therefore, this project has assessed the benefits and other implications that the implementation of the SAA might have for Kosovo and its citizens.


Policy and Position Papers:

Enhancing and Facilitating Kosovo’s Membership with International Organizations: Cases of Venice Commission and Council of Europe (CoE)

This project in particular intended to address the issue of enhancing and facilitating Kosovo’s membership at some international organizations. In concrete terms, this project studied the necessity of Kosovo's membership to Venice Commission and it also attempted to study and explain the need for Kosovo’s membership to CoE as means to enable EU integration and other related processes.


Training Needs Assessment:

Training Needs Analysis for arbitrators of the Kosovo Permanent Tribunal of Arbitration

This study evaluated the further training needs of arbitrators serving within the list of Kosovo Permanent Tribunal of Arbitration (PTA). In addition, it has paid attention to the legal framework of arbitration in Kosovo and the present relations of the PTA with the business sector. This assessment identified two categories of training which are needed for the PTA arbitrators, and which are dubbed as: comprehensive and specific training.


Policy-oriented Project:

Seminar on Regional Cooperation and Publication of the Special Issue of the Journal of European and International Affairs (JEIA)

This project in particular intended to address the issue of enhancing and facilitating Kosovo’s membership at some international organizations. In concrete terms, this project studied the necessity of Kosovo's membership to Venice Commission and it also attempted to study and explain the need for Kosovo’s membership to CoE as means to enable EU integration and other related processes.


Research and Academic Project:

Establishing a mini academic library at the Research Institute of Development and European Affairs (RIDEA)

In general, one can note a substantial lack of relevant scholarly literature for social sciences (political science, European studies, international relations, psychology, etc.) in the Albanian language. In other words, in order to conduct proper research in social sciences in Kosovo, it is inescapably relevant to consult the pertinent scholarly literature in the English language. However, the scholarly literature in the English language in Kosovo, in particular in the field of social sciences is scarce. Considering this state of affairs through this project it was established a mini or small academic library with relevant scholarly literature in the field of social sciences in the English language. The library is based at RIDEA premises, and it is opened and able to be accessed by not only RIDEA’s staff, but also the wider public, especially the academic and student communities.


Research and Policy-oriented Project:

Identifying challenges, opportunities and strategies for the possible negotiation and ratification process of the Stabilization and Association Agreement between Kosovo and the European Union

The current project consisted of an overall objective. In addition, it comprised some other sub-objectives. Thus, the overall objective was to identify the challenges ahead that Kosovo (as a sui-generis case) might encounter in its path towards SAA and its ratification process. In addition, the first sub-objective was related to the rationale of assisting Kosovo’s government (in particular to the Ministry of European Integration) in drafting a policy document related to the challenges during the negotiating and ratification stages of the SAA. Furthermore, the second sub-objective was linked with an idea of strengthening the involvement and the role of civil society in the policy-making process as relates the processes of European integration of Kosovo.


Policy Project:

Post-supervised independence: International Recognition of Kosovo

This project studied the political momentum which has been created after the end of Kosovo’s supervised independence in relation to the further international recognition of Kosovo.


Research and Academic Project:

Launching an Academic Journal of Development and European Affairs

This journal is a peer-reviewed journal. It aims to publish cutting-edge articles on European, as well as broader international, affairs, in particular as they relate to the theme of Kosovo and the Balkans peninsula. The first issue of the Journal covered the issue of consolidating Kosovo’s statehood in its internal and external dimension. The first issue was published in January 2013.


Policy and Research-oriented Project:

The State of Research in Kosovo

This project investigated the present state of research in Kosovo, including problems and deficiencies, as well as ways for improvement.


Policy and Research-oriented Project:

Consolidating Kosovo’s Statehood: Processes, Problems, and Perspectives

Through this project, RIDEA in cooperation with the Centre for International Studies (University of Oxford) has published a study/policy paper related to the further consolidation of Kosovo’s statehood. This study embraced the internal and external dimension of consolidating further the statehood of Kosovo.


Research Project:

Launching and Deploying EULEX mission in Kosovo: Does the compromised deployment undermine the EULEX mission in Kosovo?


International Academic Conference:

Consolidating Kosovo’s Statehood: Processes, Problems, and Perspectives. This event was organized by RIDEA in cooperation with the Centre for International Studies (Oxford University) and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Republic of Kosovo).


Policy and Research-oriented Project:

Integration of the Serb Community in Kosovo Case Study: Political Institutions and Education System.


International Academic Conference:

‘EU and the Western Balkans in retrospective and perspective: Between Limbo and Enlargement Fatigue’. The conference was organized by RIDEA in cooperation with the Centre for EU Studies (Ghent University), the European University of Tirana and the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence (University of Manchester).


International Academic Conference:

What post-ICJ advisory opinion on Kosovo's independence? Which should be the position of Kosovo? Organized by RIDEA in cooperation with the Centre for EU Studies (Ghent University)

The principal aim of the conference was to identify the possible challenges that Kosovo and its institutions might encounter after the ICJ advisory opinion on Kosovo’s independence. A further aim was to provide future direction, in the sense of identification of potential policies to cope with the challenges ahead that Kosovo institutions might encounter after this adjudication.


A Legal Reform Project:

A Study on the Conflict of Laws within the competence of the Ministry of Justice (Republic of Kosovo).


A Legal Reform Project:

An analysis of existing legal dictionaries and glossaries in the Albanian language

This assessment/report offered a presentation and analysis of dictionaries and glossaries with a legal component that is available in the Albanian language. The focus has been both on dictionaries containing general legal terminology and those with a narrow scope, focusing on EU terminology. Acquis

For more information about our past projects, please visit the publications section.

RIDEA Publications
RIDEA Publications RIDEA publishes academic articles in internationally peer-reviewed journals, commentaries and op-eds in the newspapers.
Reports / Policy Briefs
Reports / Policy Briefs The substance and status of implementation of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue’ agreements
Academic Articles
Academic Articles Essentially Contested? Kosovo’s Perplexing and Mixed International Statebuilding Record. Gëzim Krasniqi.
Journal of European and International Affairs (JEIA)
Journal of European and International Affairs (JEIA) The overall state of the sphere of academic or scholarly publications in Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro and other countries.
Commentary/OP-ED
Commentary/OP-ED Brussels Prelude to Kosovo (The Parliament) 31st October 2013. Labinot Greiçevci.
E-newsletter
E-newsletter Biannual summary of RIDEAs activities.