The main activities of each member centre in the NDD are focused on supporting local communities and NGOs, and building their advocacy capacities and sustainability into the long-term. In this way, we want to create an active civil society throughout Kosovo, so that our citizens benefit from responsible, participatory and accountable government. We offer assistance to NGOs, individuals and community groups right from the start, in the initial process of registration and then later through continued logistical support and access to the centre facilities.

Each centre manager usually acts as first point of contact between NGOs and UNMiK and other international interlocutors. People come into our centres on a daily basis to address various concerns and to ask for advice and support. Their problems are often human rights related or property ownership issues. Mainly they come to the centres because they do not have access to the right institutions that are based in Prishtinë/Priština. In such situations, the NDD Centre serves as liaison between the individuals concerned and, for example, the OSCE Human Rights Department, the Norwegian Refugee Council, or some other organisation that provides legal advice and support.

Separately, each centre implements individual projects, most of which have so far aimed to mobilise communities more and thereby encourage intercultural dialogue.

A selection of NDD Centres activities:

• NDD Network management and development of communication capacities (WMN-Web Multiethnic Network Project);
• Strategy development for local NGOs;
• Monitoring the work of Municipal Assembly and elected officials;
• Advocacy campaigns on anything from tax deduction to transparent governance;
• Strengthening and empowering civil society through regular NGO co-ordination meetings;
• Legal Advice free of charge for minority representatives;
• Formation of youth networks;
• Strengthening ties with Community Police;
• Running Internet Centres;
• Organising and managing various skills training courses, from language classes to management workshops;
• Film Club;
• Printing local newsletters;
• Running a village leaders network;
• Promotion of Human Rights.

Some planned future activities:

• Continued capacity building activities for local NGOs;
• Strengthening Municipality Decision-Making Group;
• Continued debates on the co-operation between Municipal Government and Civil Society.

Click on the centre sites on the right for great detail and latest information on NDD activities.