As a part of the Creative Agents of Peace and Social Inclusion project, a four-day training was held in Prizren from August 27 to 31, bringing together 20 young artists and civil society activists, 10 from Southern Serbia and 10 from Northern Kosovo. The program was designed to strengthen group cohesion, build trust, and introduce the foundations of civic engagement.
Throughout the training, participants took part in interactive workshops that encouraged them to discover shared values, overcome barriers, and connect across differences. Through exercises such as “Mobilizing Shared Values” and the “Bridge Challenge”, they explored what unites them and how cooperation can be built on trust. A special emphasis was placed on the power of personal stories and community organizing, with activities like “Why We Tell Stories”, “Story Circles”, and writing their own narratives. The program concluded with collective reflections, expressions of gratitude, and planning the next steps.
The methodology of Professor Marshall Ganz from Harvard University, based on learning through personal stories, interactive exercises, and reflection, created a safe and inclusive environment in which participants could express themselves openly. This approach not only strengthened empathy and collaboration but also had a transformative impact on the group, helping them to see themselves as creative agents of change in their communities.
For many, the experience in Prizren was transformative: they left with new friendships, stronger confidence, and the sense of being part of a shared journey. It was a reminder that art, when combined with civic engagement, can open spaces for empathy, collaboration, and social change.
This training is only the beginning. In the upcoming sessions, participants will continue to build on this foundation, developing their own initiatives where creativity, art, and activism come together to promote peace, inclusion, and cooperation in their communities.
The project “Creative Agents of Peace and Social Inclusion” is implemented by NGO CASA and CDE Dolina, with the support of the Auswärtiges Amt through ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen, Zivik Funding Programme.
