Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF)

[more_info_box float="right" width="280px"] Main Achievements

More than 300 projects granted
More than 150 Basic and Advanced Trainings
403 scholarships
More than 1000 alumni of the European Integration School
28 Publications

[/more_info_box]Established in 1998 and officially registered in 1999, the Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF) is an independent, not-for-profit organization focused on supporting local civil society initiatives that will promote a democratic culture and be responsive to the socio-economic needs of Kosovo. The KCSF has a strong focus on supporting and contributing to the EU Integration Process.

KCSF has three main programs:

The Civil Society Development Program
The European Integration Program
Grant Giving Scheme

Even though separate, all programs have numerous cross-cutting issues and activities and their main target is civil society, with public authorities and media as other very important targeted sectors.

THE CIVIL SOCIETY PROGRAM is focused on creating an enabling environment for functioning of civil society, mainly through:

Enabling environment for civil society
Improving relevant legislation
Increasing citizen participation
Setting standards of public financing for CSOs
Contributing to structuring the cooperation between civil society and government
Providing different resources to CSOs
Providing relevant data and studies on civil society
Regular information on relevant developments
Capacity building for CSOs.

THE EUROPEAN INTEGRATION PROGRAM is focused on increasing understanding on European Integration process and advancing the European agenda of Kosovo, mainly through:

Increasing understanding about the European Integration (EI) process
Regular information updates on relevant developments
Capacity building on EU (general and specific)
Advancing the European Agenda of Kosovo
Structuring the cooperation between civil society and government in the EI process
Regular dialogue with European Commission.

THE GRANT GIVING/RE-GRANTING SCHEME is focused on supporting local CSOs in the field of democratization, active citizenship, transparency and accountability, gender and minority areas.

Apart from funding, the grant giving scheme is used as an instrument for improving the internal governance of beneficiary organisations, increasing the quality of project implementation through monitoring, and assisting CSOs with targeted capacity building and coaching. In addition, KCSF regularly provides with comprehensive information and systematic and in-depth analysis of a wide range of information related to civil society in Kosovo and wider.

The scheme aims to contribute to an increased synergy and cooperation among donors as well as strengthened strategic partnerships among stakeholders. Currently, KCSF has started analysing international donor’s strategic priorities and specific programs on civil society, and their implementation mechanisms and structures.

The final aim of the scheme is to combine the wide range of available tools in order to increase the impact of the donor funds for civil society.