Kickstart Your Career and Make a Difference: Join the Kosovo Women’s Network as a Research or Design Intern!

19.08.2025

Research Intern

Are you passionate about gender equality and eager to contribute to meaningful work? As part of our research team, you’ll support research, policy analysis, and writing that shape real-life policies. Possible tasks include transcribing interviews, conducting qualitative coding, supporting data collection, assisting with report drafting, monitoring policy recommendations, and other responsibilities as needed.

Design Intern

Do you love creating eye-catching visuals? We’re looking for a creative (graphic) design intern to help bring our work to life. From cover pages for research reports to social media graphics, your designs will support campaigns, publications, and advocacy efforts that amplify feminist voices in Kosovo and beyond.

Interning with KWN

This is a chance to gain experience and visibility, build your portfolio, and put your skills to work for a cause that matters! Our internships are unpaid but flexible, open to women and men in Kosovo and around the world. English is required, while Albanian and/or Serbian language skills are an asset.

Application

To apply, send your CV and a short cover letter telling us a bit about yourself to info@womensnetwork.org. If you are applying for a design internship, we encourage you to attach a few examples of your previous work.

21.08.25

External Evaluation of the Further Advancing Women’s Rights in Kosovo II Action Implemented by KWN

19.08.25

Kickstart Your Career and Make a Difference: Join the Kosovo Women’s Network as a Research or Design Intern!

14.08.25

Extension of the application deadline – Invitation to submit a bid for accommodation, food and conference room services in the Municipality of Durres

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Bridging Art, Archives and Activism: Lucia’s Internship with KWN

15.08.2025

Lucia Caputo grew up in a household where values like caring about “everyone and anyone” were central. From a young age, she was exposed to conversations about women’s rights, gender equality and LGBTQI rights as well as to the idea of accepting people as they are. As she grew older, Lucia realised these were not only personal values but also emerging academic fields she could explore. This led her to combine her major in Art History with a minor in Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies at Carleton College, Minnesota, USA. These two fields, she explains, have significant crossover, especially when it comes to contemporary and modern art. As part of her studies, Lucia has recently completed an internship with the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), facilitated through Isla Internships. This has allowed her to deepen her understanding of gender equality and apply her academic and work background in a real-world setting, working alongside activists who are shaping policy and driving change.

Lucia first learned about Isla Internships during an information session at her school. She also knew someone who had interned in Kosovo the year before. After reaching out to the Isla team to share her interests, she was “matched” with  KWN, which stood out for offering the most promising and interesting opportunities.

Lucia arrived in Kosovo eight weeks ago, just after the FemArt Festival had ended, an event she would have loved to attend given her academic background. Although this was her first time in Kosovo, she found the transition easy. With a French mother, she has spent a lot of time in Europe and sees cultural similarities. Lucia has enjoyed many aspects of life in Pristina, including the coffee culture, which pairs perfectly with one of her favorite pastimes: “people watching” from one of Pristina’s many cafés.

Lucia has previous experience in museum and archival settings. She works in her campus museum’s collections and has done extensive cataloging and organising projects, including archival work for small businesses and even a dentist’s office. Her internship at KWN has drawn heavily on these skills. Lucia has helped reorganise and alphabetise archives, online databases and KWN’s library, improving access for staff and visitors. When asked about where her love for archiving comes from, she laughs and says, “I guess I’m just a very organized person – it’s something that calms me in a way.” “I like jobs where you’re front-facing and you see people and interact, but I also like organizing and archiving because it’s a solo job – you take time to yourself.”

Another project Lucia has worked on during her time at KWN is a story on the Kosovo Women’s Fund, reflecting on its impact since 2012, especially now that KWN has had to pause the Fund for the first time since its inception. Working on the piece taught her a lot about the writing and revision process: “As a student, when you’re writing essays or papers, there is a revision process, but with a lot less people. It was very interesting to see the story ‘go through’ a bunch of people, especially when it’s something that needs to be translated into other languages – I hadn’t had experience with that before.”

Reflecting on gender and social issues, Lucia observes that both Kosovo and the U.S. have strong gender roles and norms. One positive difference she sees in Kosovo is the visible effort to address these issues, especially among civil society: “Here, people are really taking initiatives.” While civil society is active in the U.S. as well – especially nonprofit organizations in her home state of California – they focus mainly on “filling gaps” in state services. Lucia feels that in Kosovo, NGOs like KWN play a significant role also on the policy-level.

Looking back on her internship, Lucia says she has really enjoyed her time at KWN, as well as in Kosovo. The country’s location has made weekend travel easy, and Lucia has visited Prizren, which she found beautiful, as well as neighboring Albania, North Macedonia and recently Greece. Talking to other Isla interns, she noticed that some felt their work was slow or that they did not have too much to do. Lucia really cannot relate – she feels like it’s always busy at KWN, and there is always something to do, which is a good thing: “Gender equality is not something that just slows down during the summer,” she says with a smile.

On her last day with KWN, Lucia reflects on the experience she has gained from an organisation working at the grassroot level, as well as the perspective she has gained from working abroad. She is confident these experiences will benefit her future career. She leaves with an even stronger commitment to advancing gender equality wherever she goes.

If you would like to contribute to KWN’s work, we always need and welcome volunteers from diverse backgrounds, experience levels and locations. To learn more about our Volunteer Program, please contact us at info@womensnetwork.org.

12.09.25

Laying the Groundwork: Gruaja Fermere’s Push for Sexual Education in Rahovec Schools

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

Extension of the application deadline – Invitation to submit a bid for accommodation, food and conference room services in the Municipality of Durres

14.08.2025

To Whom It May Concern:

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) seeks offers for accommodating a group of approximately 120 people in Durrës Municipality for the period 26-28 September 2025 (2 nights) with full board and a conference hall. Please send your offer, including the following:

  • Accommodation: 10 single rooms, 45-55 twin rooms (with two separate beds), and 5-10 rooms that are accessible for persons with disabilities, with appropriate access to entrances, elevators, rooms, restrooms, and the conference hall, totalling 65 rooms.
  • Quality Catering (Full Board): Catering service from 26 to 28 September 2025, including lunches, dinners, breakfasts, and two coffee breaks, including:
    • 26 September: lunch and dinner 
    • 27 September: breakfast, lunch, and dinner 
    • 28 September: breakfast  
    • Two coffee breaks on 27 September 
    • Various dietary options must be included (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, etc.)
  • Conference Hall: Minimum capacity for 120 people in “theatre” format for on the afternoon of 26 September and all-day 27 September. The ability to provide audio-visual and technical equipment is optional, but welcome. Also, the request for additional, smaller meeting rooms for 0.5 days is optional. For details, see the Invitation to Tender.

We invite you to send your offers in accordance with the enclosed Tender Dossier. The offer should include: (1) Narrative Proposal (Form 5.1), (2) Financial Proposal (Form 5.2), and (3) Cover Letter and Declaration of Honour (Form 4).

Please send your offers to: procurement@womensnetwork.org with the subject: “Oferta – Hotel & Konferencë”. The deadline for sending offers is 9 September 2025. Offers sent after the deadline will not be considered.

Thank you for your interest and cooperation!

1. Invitation to Tender
2. Instruction to Bidders
3. Data Sheet and Technical Specification
4. Cover Letter and Declaration on honour on exclusion criteria and absence of conflict of interest
5.1. Technical Proposal Form
5.2. Financial Proposal Form
6. Draft Service Contract

21.08.25

External Evaluation of the Further Advancing Women’s Rights in Kosovo II Action Implemented by KWN

19.08.25

Kickstart Your Career and Make a Difference: Join the Kosovo Women’s Network as a Research or Design Intern!

14.08.25

Extension of the application deadline – Invitation to submit a bid for accommodation, food and conference room services in the Municipality of Durres

New Gender Equality Strategy Presents Opportunity for EU to Further Equality

07.08.2025

Gender equality is a fundamental value of the European Union (EU), and the EU has stated that it “wants men and women to have equal rights”. The EU plans to achieve this through its forthcoming Gender Equality Strategy, under public consultation until 11 August.

Today, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) provided input, emphasising that the EU must institutionalise gender mainstreaming into policy processes, including ensuring gender-responsive budgeting. The EU also must ensure financial support to women’s rights organisations (WCSOs) and networks working to further gender equality, as key allies and watchdogs for government accountability.

In line with established international best practices, including those put forth by the European Institute for Gender Equality, the EU must: 1) institutionalise gender impact assessments to inform ALL laws, policies, strategies and action plans across ALL policy areas / sectors; 2) based on these analyses, integrate attention to furthering gender equality in policy documents by stating clear objectives, indicators and actions; 3) utilise gender-responsive budgeting to ensure adequate budget allocations for implementing commitments to furthering gender equality, linking objectives with clear allocations; and 4) monitor and evaluate progress through use of gender impact analyses, to inform future policies, strategies and budgets.

In particular, the EU must ensure a gender-responsive approach to security, in line with its commitments to the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

In development cooperation, the EU must continue to play its crucial role in preventing conflict and authoritarianism while promoting security, democracy, good governance, rule of law, justice, social protection and economic development. Thus, ALL external action, aid and development assistance MUST have a gender-responsive or transformative approach with clear objectives, indicators and budget commitments in the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework. Women’s rights organisations, movements, and networks, currently under threat, are key allies for the EU; we need EU support to continue providing essential services and holding governments accountable through watchdog efforts and advocacy. Dedicated financing must be allocated for LOCAL women’s rights organisations work to further democracy, justice and good governance.

KWN recommended that the EU ensure that all social protection policies are based on intersectional gender analysis, have clear objectives towards gender equality and integrate attention to gender-specific needs, including protection from gender-based violence in line with Istanbul Convention commitments. The EU must allocate adequate financing for social protection services, particularly related to addressing gender-based violence in line with commitments to the Istanbul Convention. Related to housing, the EU should ensure that Member States earmark housing for single women, mothers and particularly survivors of gender-based violence, facilitating rehabilitation and reintegration.

Overall, KWN emphasised that furthering gender equality must be integrated into ALL EU policy areas, including Security and Defence; Justice and fundamental rights; Economic and Financial Affairs (including budgeting, trade, fiscal and tax policy); Education by transforming gender norms; Employment and Social Affairs, including skills, housing and health; Agriculture, Rural and Regional Development; Migration and Home Affairs, including asylum; External Action and International Partnerships including development cooperation and humanitarian aid, and multilateral agreements; Transport and Infrastructure, including mobility; Environment, Climate Change, and Energy; Digital Strategy; Research and Innovation; and Tourism and cultural heritage.

KWN’s inputs were prepared based on KWN’s extensive research, including several gender analyses across various sectors. Since 2010, KWN has monitored Kosovo’s EU Accession process from a gender perspective, as well as followed closely the EU’s work related to gender equality, including successive Gender Action Plans, external financing and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

This input was prepared as part of the Gender Budget Watchdog Network, supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), though its content is KWN’s sole responsibility and does not necessarily reflect the views of ADA or Sida.

12.09.25

Laying the Groundwork: Gruaja Fermere’s Push for Sexual Education in Rahovec Schools

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

Activists Call for Gender Perspective in Berlin Process

01.08.2025

Historically, the Berlin Process lacked a gender perspective. After several years of advocacy by women’s rights organisations, this has started to change. This year all sector working groups are posed to include a gender perspective, in addition to the specific group on Gender Equality and Diversity, which is particularly important in the context of shrinking space for women’s rights activists, organisations and movements.

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) is proud to be part of a regional coalition of women’s rights organisations, supported by the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, that has been consistently preparing expert input to inform the Berlin Process. This year we have contributed to the coalition’s joint input for the working groups. Key recommendations across each sector include:

  • Common Regional Market and Growth: Require that gender impact analyses are systematically conducted to inform the design of all regional cooperation agreements and evaluate their effectiveness, ensuring they do not reinforce or exacerbate gender inequalities. 
  • Gender and Diversity: Institutionalise gender-responsive budgeting in all Western Balkans countries as part of ongoing EU-Accession-related public finance reforms, amending legal frameworks in line with SDGs (indicator 5c1) and the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) Gender Framework, towards ensuring adequate evidence-based and transparent use of public resources, including furthering gender equality. 
  • Reconciliation and Dealing with the Past: Ensure that all truth-telling and historical justice initiatives systematically integrate gender analysis, so that women’s experiences of conflict, including violations of sexual and reproductive rights, are fully acknowledged and not overlooked. 
  • Good Governance: Ensure meaningful participation of diverse women’s CSOs and gender experts in drafting, reviewing, and monitoring all legal reforms via transparent public consultation processes, including related to justice sector reforms. 
  • Environment, Energy, and Decarbonisation: Conduct systematically and utilise intersectional gender analyses to inform environment, climate change, and energy transition policies, in line with GAP III. Analyses should assess the differentiated impact of climate change related policies on diverse women and men, especially marginalised groups, and guide the development of inclusive, gender-responsive policies. 
  • Security: Ensure all security sector related reforms are based on gender analysis, considering diverse women and men’s need. Implement fully and fund adequately implementation of the Istanbul Convention and related legislation to address all forms of gender-based violence. Ensure that national strategies for addressing gender-based violence tackle systemic gaps through sustainable financing, inter-sectoral coordination, gender-disaggregated data, sufficiently trained professionals in all relevant institutions, public education and survivor-centred justice and support services.

These recommendations have been shared with the rapporteurs of the different thematic groups, and KWN looks forward to collaborating with other working group members to advocate for these recommendations to be raised within the Berlin Process, securing commitments from governments for their address.

The Berlin Process is a regional cooperation initiative that brings together Western Balkan countries and European Union members to support peace, stability, and EU integration in the Western Balkan region. Since its launch in 2014, the process has focused on fostering dialogue, economic growth, and political reform. Civil society organisations have played an increasingly important role in shaping the agenda and pushing for greater inclusion, accountability and gender equality as part of this process. This year the Civil Society Forum that prepares inputs and the Gender Equality Forum that provides insight into the process are being supported by the Government of the United Kingdom.

12.09.25

Laying the Groundwork: Gruaja Fermere’s Push for Sexual Education in Rahovec Schools

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

Breaking the Silence: Psychological Violence in Kosovo 

01.08.2025

Melisa Kadolli, Court Monitor and Legal Coordinator at the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), participated in the 3rd F’Oda Summit held from July 9–11, which this year focused on the theme of mental health, targeting high school girls.

During her presentation, the importance of breaking the silence and addressing psychological violence was emphasized, treating this form of violence as one of the most widespread yet also the most overlooked. The concept of psychological violence was explained, including its criminalization in Kosovo’s legislation, as well as the numerous challenges victims face during the reporting process — from fear of stigma and lack of trust in responsible institutions, to delayed and often inappropriate institutional responses.

Another important aspect discussed was the phenomenon of institutional “burnout,” which manifests through lack of sensitivity, negligence, and inadequate handling of violence cases. This often results in inaction or delayed reactions by institutions mandated to protect victims.

At the end of the presentation, participants were informed about the rights guaranteed to them by law and the protective measures that can be requested in cases of gender-based violence. Information was also shared about the work being done within KWN’s Program to combat and address gender-based violence, including the importance of legal support for survivors of violence.

KWN remains open to collaboration and provides support to victims of gender-based violence through free legal counseling and referrals to relevant institutions. If you need free legal assistance for cases of gender-based violence or know someone who does, contact us at: 048 105 800.

12.09.25

Laying the Groundwork: Gruaja Fermere’s Push for Sexual Education in Rahovec Schools

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

Education on Social Rights Continues Through Practical Workshops 

01.08.2025

On July 30, 2025, within the framework of the project “Strengthening the capacities of civil society to improve access to quality social protection for diverse women and men”, supported by the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo, another workshop was held with the participation of the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities, in cooperation with the Network of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Women’s Organizations of Kosovo (RROGRAEK).

The workshop, titled “Legislation on Social Protection, Rights, and the Complaint Procedures”, was led by lawyer Fitim Gashi and held at the premises of the Kosovo Women’s Network. It aimed to strengthen participants’ knowledge and capacities to understand the rights guaranteed by Law No. 08/L-255 on Social and Family Services and to take action in cases of violations.

The workshop covered the content and scope of the law, the fundamental principles it is based on, the types of services guaranteed to citizens, and the procedures to follow when these rights are not upheld by the relevant institutions.

Participants shared personal experiences where their rights had been violated, or they had been unfairly treated by institutions. Through practical examples and direct discussions, they had the opportunity to better understand the role of responsible institutions and how to act in cases of legal violations.

At the end of the session, the importance of reporting cases through legal mechanisms was emphasized: “If we don’t report them, they continue.” However, participants also expressed concerns about the lack of institutional response: “As long as those people are in charge, it’s pointless,” “They say if you have a clean shirt, you don’t need social assistance,” and “The law exists, but for our communities it’s a problem—no one takes you seriously.”

This workshop contributed to raising awareness and building the capacity of participants to recognize and defend their social rights, further reinforcing the role of civil society organizations in supporting communities facing exclusion and discrimination in accessing social services.

12.09.25

Laying the Groundwork: Gruaja Fermere’s Push for Sexual Education in Rahovec Schools

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

Small Grants, Big Changes: Reflecting on the Legacy of the KWN Kosovo Women’s Fund 

31.07.2025

“This project has helped me better understand my rights as a woman in Kosovo,” shared a woman who participated in Norma’s roundtable on property rights. “Now I feel more confident to claim what belongs to me according to the law.” This small moment, which was revolutionary for this woman, is one of thousands made possible by the Kosovo Women’s Fund of the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN).

Since 2012, the Fund has provided essential support to women’s rights civil society organisations (WCSOs), empowering diverse women, furthering capacities, amplifying voices and transforming communities. The Fund has distributed more than €1 million in funding to 107 CSOs through 197 grants across six WB countries. More than 21,028 women, girls, boys and men benefited directly; 3,909 women engaged in decision-making processes—many for the first time; and 30 public policies were amended to better reflect the needs of women and girls in Kosovo! In a landscape where complex application processes often exclude small CSOs, the Kosovo Women’s Fund offered something rare and unique: accessible, tailored support grounded in feminist principles of solidarity and empowerment.

“It helped so many women,” said Donjeta Berisha, who worked for the Fund for over a decade. “The way it functioned was amazing, mainly at the grassroots level, so we reached women who weren’t necessarily reachable otherwise.”

This month, KWN closed out the last remaining Kosovo Women’s Fund grant. As the Fund pauses its operations for the first time since its inception, due partially to insufficient financing amid global development cuts and shrinking space for WCSOs, we wanted to pause and reflect on the big changes made possible by the Fund’s small grants.

Representing only a fraction of initiatives supported by the Kosovo Women’s Fund, here’s a glimpse at its impacts:

  • Supported 432 advocacy initiatives, including several that led municipalities to adopt gender-responsive budgeting practices 
  • Increased public funding for women at municipal and national levels following WCSOs’ advocacy efforts 
  • Drafted or contributed to drafting action plans for gender equality in several municipalities that were subsequently adopted  
  • Ensured women from ethnic minorities, with disabilities and survivors of violence could participate in local decision-making processes 
  • Secured free transportation for children living more than five km from school in Vushtrri   
  • Trained healthcare workers in Gjakova to use trauma-sensitive approaches with survivors of sexual and domestic violence
  • Inspired 3,095 women and girls to advocate for their right to healthcare  
  • Expanded access to healthcare, enabling women, particularly rural and marginalised women, to access gynaecological services, often for the first time 
  • Documented and reported 32 health rights violations, holding health institutions more accountable to providing quality healthcare 
  • Advocated successfully for municipalities to open Family Medicine Clinics in Brestovc, Zoqisht and Denjë (Rahovec), providing healthcare to rural areas 
  • Launched a health hotline in Drenas Municipality in cooperation with the Patients’ Council, improving healthcare access in rural areas  
  • Empowered 10,204 women to become more aware of their inheritance and property rights, and supported 335 women to claim their rights through the Fund and other KWN initiatives, including six survivors of violence  
  • Waived taxes for women in Gjakova who wanted to start their own business, which led five women to immediately start businesses   
  • Provided young women with digital skills that created income opportunities in marketing, freelancing and entrepreneurship  
  • Strengthened the long-term sustainability of WCSOs by funding core operations, capacity development and staff retention

These actions led not only to policy shifts and expanded services, but also to deep personal transformations among beneficiaries. Many explained how this knowledge ripple outward: “Knowing where to turn when your rights are violated is very important,” said a beneficiary of EcoKos Women. “I’ve learned a lot and will use this knowledge to protect myself and others.”

KWN established the Kosovo Women’s Fund in 2012 with support from the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation. The Fund was rooted in transparency, accountability and community ownership. Calls for proposals were posted on the KWN website and shared with member organisations. A grant review committee, elected by KWN members, evaluated proposals against clear criteria that KWN members established. CSOs that did not receive funding in one cycle received detailed feedback from the committee and were encouraged to revise their proposals and reapply in future rounds, as the Fund sought to support solidarity, growth and inclusion rather than competition. All funded initiatives were transparently published via press releases and the KWN website.

“The Fund wasn’t just about giving out grants,” said Donjeta. “It was a platform to help organisations—it was learning by doing.”

Beyond financial support, the Kosovo Women’s Fund paired grants with tailored capacity-building. KWN offered mentorship and guidance throughout the project cycle, helping organisations develop skills in grant writing, financial management, project management and advocacy. This approach helped many organisations develop long-term skills that contributed to their sustainability, enabling them access future funding from larger donors. For many women activists, this built confidence and provided new tools for independence. It empowered many new activists to undertake advocacy independently.

“It wasn’t just about learning technical skills, but also gave me the chance to connect with other women and build a supportive network,” a woman noted.

The Kosovo Women’s Fund also fostered solidarity across ethnic lines. Grantees included Albanian, Serb, Roma, Ashkali, Egyptian, Bosniak and Turkish women who often collaborated in joint initiatives, building bridges that transcended ethnic divisions. In communities where healthcare systems often failed to meet women’s needs, especially Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian women, small interventions led to big changes regarding healthcare rights and preventing discrimination. “I wish I had known that we could complain to someone about these cruel words that the doctors are telling us,” a woman shared after a workshop hosted by NGO Drugeza on healthcare rights. Another said the project changed how she sees her ability to demand care: “This project has empowered us and provided us with valuable knowledge. We now feel prepared to advocate for better healthcare services for our community.” Thus, these changes were not just numbers; they represent real women and real transformations in their lives.

For survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, the Fund helped create spaces of safety, solidarity and recovery. With the support of organisations like Medica Kosova, women were able to begin healing on their own terms. “Here I learned how to love and respect myself,” a participant from Gjakova municipality shared. “It’s a pity I didn’t come to the association earlier.” Another survivor from Decan emphasised the importance of independence, empowered through these meetings: “I don’t want to think about what others say about me; I want to secure a pension for myself without having to ask anyone for help.”

The Fund’s legacy thus lies in its ripple effect. Many once-informal groups became registered and organised. Struggles that had been invisible gained visibility, and grassroots voices found pathways into local and national policymaking.

“What made the Kosovo Women’s Fund especially remarkable was the team behind it,” Donjeta added. Over the years, several KWN staff worked tirelessly to support KWN members, to empower their advocacy and to support them in navigating donors’ procedures. “Strong collaboration created a powerful force that inspired others and ensured the Fund’s success, in both outcomes and spirit.”

Today, as the Kosovo Women’s Fund pauses its work due to a lack of resources, it leaves a critical gap for grassroots WCSOs. Many of these groups, especially in rural or marginalised communities, have long faced barriers to traditional funding due to shifting donor priorities, complex application procedures and donors’ preference to support large-scale grants. Limited staff capacity and lack of English proficiency further exclude them from most funding opportunities. Without the Fund’s accessible support, mentorship and training, many WCSOs face risks of reduced operations, staff and even closure. Meanwhile, many WCSOs and activists will continue, empowered with the skills gained through the Fund’s support, striving to continue the movement.

“Behind every grant is a woman, or group of women, who dared to raise her voice, challenge injustice and build something better,” said Gentiana Murati, who managed the Kosovo Women’s Fund for several years. “The Fund is more than a source of financing; it’s a lifeline rooted in trust, solidarity and the unwavering belief that local women know best how to transform their communities. I’ve seen it turn ideas into impact and silence into advocacy, proving that when you invest in women, you strengthen democracy, dignity and justice.”

In a changing global funding landscape, the Kosovo Women’s Fund remains a model for how feminist, community-rooted grant-making can reach and empower the most marginalised. We at KWN are grateful for having had the opportunity to serve our members through the Fund and remain committed to supporting them through peer support, solidarity and joint initiatives in the future.

The Kosovo Women’s Fund has received support from the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, Austrian Development Agency, European Union in Kosovo, European Commission, Sigrid Rausing Trust, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, UN Women and UNFPA.

If you are interested in supporting KWN and our members’ incredible work, there are various ways to contribute, from volunteering to giving. Every cent you donate counts in our endeavours to support, protect and promote the rights of women and girls.

12.09.25

Laying the Groundwork: Gruaja Fermere’s Push for Sexual Education in Rahovec Schools

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

Kosovo Women’s Network Strengthens Municipal Mechanisms against Domestic Violence 

31.07.2025

Over the past months, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) met with five municipalities to formalize  the partnerships with their Municipal Coordination Mechanisms against Domestic Violence (MCMDV). KWN held initial briefing sessions in Lipjan, Peja, Podujevo, Ferizaj and Fushë Kosovë to introduce the “Strengthened Capacity and Mechanisms to Address Gender‑based Violence” initiative and to outline the activities planned in collaboration with each municipality’s MCMDV.

During these meetings, mayors, deputy mayors, and gender‑equality officers were briefed on the support KWN will provide to their coordination mechanisms. All five municipalities have agreed in principle to a Memorandum of Understanding, and signatures are currently being collected.

On 24 July 2025, KWN and the Municipality of Fushë Kosovë officially signed their MOU, laying the foundation for a sustainable partnership.

Adelina Berisha, Programme Director for Addressing Gender-Based Violence, and Besarta Breznica, Programme Officer for Addressing Gender-Based Violence at the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), met with Mr. Besnik Osmani, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Fushë Kosovë, and Ms. Lindita Dervisholli Prebreza, Gender Equality Officer at the Municipality, to sign the Memorandum of Understanding.

This week, KWN began conducting a detailed needs assessment of each MCMDV’s capacities and gaps in addressing gender‑based violence, including emerging online forms of abuse. Once data collection and analysis are complete, KWN will roll out tailored training modules for MCMDV members and provide ongoing support based on each municipality’s specific needs. These efforts are part of KWN’s contribution to improve the implementation of the Regulation for the Local Coordination Mechanism for Protection against Domestic Violence, Violence Against Women, and Gender‑Based Violence.

This cooperation is part of KWN’s and East-West Management Institute’s (EWMI, ewmi.org) initiative “Strengthening Capacities and Mechanisms to Address Gender-Based Violence,” supported by the U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Through this initiative, KWN will identify the needs of the mechanisms and provide tailored trainings that enhance institutional responses to victims of gender-based violence, particularly technology facilitated gender-based violence.

KWN provides free legal counseling and representation for all cases of gender‑based violence via the hotline: 048 105 800.

12.09.25

Laying the Groundwork: Gruaja Fermere’s Push for Sexual Education in Rahovec Schools

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers

KWN, KCSF Partner to Further Civil Society Capacities for Gender Mainstreaming

31.07.2025

On 22–23 July 2025, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) collaborated with the Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF) and Community Building Mitrovica (CBM) to support the second module of the School for Activism, focused on Gender Mainstreaming Civil Society Work.

Nicole Farnsworth, Deputy Director and Lead Researcher at KWN, contributed to the training by applying more than two decades of experience in advancing gender equality in Kosovo and internationally. She guided participants through key gender concepts, gender equality challenges in Kosovo, gender-responsive programming and concrete methods for applying a gender perspective across all stages of the project cycle.

In the final session, Donjeta Morina, a gender equality expert, led an interactive discussion on applying a gender lens in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL), offering practical insights from her work with institutions and civil society.

Participants found the training highly relevant. One stated, “While we had some basic knowledge, this training was incredibly valuable. It gave us the tools we actually need to apply gender mainstreaming in our organizations.”

This cooperation reflects KWN’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the capacities of civil society organisations to promote gender equality in practice, and KWN looks forward to continuing its collaboration with KCSF in future initiatives. The training was supported by the European Union and Sweden.

12.09.25

Laying the Groundwork: Gruaja Fermere’s Push for Sexual Education in Rahovec Schools

03.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

01.09.25

Kosovars Becoming More Aware of Gender-Based Violence and Reporting Mechanisms

01.09.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Justice

30.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Prosecution Council

29.08.25

KWN sends Budget Recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers