Our Future European Union - Research Program

Our Future European Union (OFEU) is a challenging and exciting exchange program established in 2003. Every year it brings together young people from Serbia, Kosovo and the Netherlands. It offers them a unique opportunity to explore different political and social issues faced by people and communities in these countries, and how they are related to the EU. The program promotes and supports active youth participation in establishing international and inter-cultural connections and understanding.

Apply for OFEU 2012 

In 2012, OFEU invites 18 young people (age 19 – 25) from the Netherlands, Kosovo and Serbia (6 per country) to take part in an on-line collaborative research journalism projects, and investigate three thematic areas: (1) The Future of Multiculturalism: Identity Quest; (2) Youth Political Participation: Youth as Consumers or Producers of Politics; and (3) Gender in European Perspective: Prospects and Thoughts[1]. Through these international, collaborative ventures the participants will shed light on current societal issues from different national perspectives, experiences and solutions, and generate recommendations for policy and decision makers.

Participants

A group of 18 skilled and motivated young people (age 19 – 25) from the Netherlands, Kosovo and Serbia will be selected to participate in the collaborative research journalism projects. Students who have previous experiences and/or a particular academic interest in the EU and the Balkan region are invited to apply. Members of Our Future Network are highly encouraged to apply. Selection will be based on qualities such as: team work, open-mindedness, youth activism and motivation. Reaching gender and a geographical balance will be considered during the selection of participants. Further requirements for participants include:

• regular Internet connection and access;
• fluency in English;
• being able to commit an average of 5-7 hours per week to the research;
• having good writing skills, ability to summarize and publish information on-line;
• being able to attend all face-to-face activities envisaged by the program;
• having knowledge and experience in a specific field and area of the research;
• having the motivation to successfully participate and complete the program.

 

The program model

Training in Pristina, Kosovo, in March 2012, will gather selected participants (6 from Kosovo, 6 from the Netherlands, 6 from Serbia) and trainers. Participants will form three research groups (each comprised of 2 participants from Kosovo, 2 from Serbia and 2 from the Netherlands) and work together to establish a research agenda for their research journalism projects. The training will furthermore integrate skills in citizen journalism and multimedia, research, and on-line collaboration.

During the 24-weeks (April – October 2012) participants will work on their research journalism project. Participants will work in their respective countries to collect information and feed the research process with relevant data (e.g. organize informative meetings and interviews with relevant stakeholders, run questionnaire-based surveys, etc). Parallel to country-based efforts, coordination and communication among participants will take place online using dynamic on-line tools. The research groups will be supported and tutored throughout their research journalism projects. The research groups will have their research related communication and local travel expenses covered.

Following the 6 months of work, the participants will come together for a closing conference in Belgrade, Serbia, to share and discuss the findings and results of their research work and on-line collaboration. Additionally, a press conference will be organized for the participants to present their results and achievements to media, civil society and other stakeholders.

 

Timeline

• 10 January 2012: Call for applications
• 05 February 2012: Call for applications ends
• 13 February 2012: Selection results available
• 26 March – 30 March 2012: Training in Pristina
• 01 April – 01 October 2012: Collaborative research journalism projects
• October 2012: Conference in Belgrade
• October/November 2012: Final publication with project results

 

 

Deadline

The deadline for applications is February 5th, 2012.

 

How to apply

To apply, please fill in the attached application form and send it before February 5th, 2012 to:

info@ngo-integra.org

ngo.integra@gmail.com

 

The project “Our Future, European Union – Research Program 2012” is implemented by Integra (Kosovo), Fractal (Serbia), and Our Future Network (The Netherlands) and supported by The Embassy of the Netherlands in Belgrade and Open Society Foundation – East East Program

[1] The themes are broadly formulated research areas. They will be narrowed down according to participants’ own interests and experiences during the first training week in Pristina.

 

Integra NGO

www.ngo-integra.org

info@ngo-integra.org

+381 38 246 717

 

 

“Our Future – European Integration”

“Our Future – European Integration” (OFEI) is a youth network and an exchange program, in which every year a new group of 15 selected young people from Kosovo, Serbia and The Netherlands participates. NGO Fractal from Serbia, Integra from Kosovo and peace organization IKV Pax Christi from the Netherlands coordinate the program.

The exchange program consists of an intensive course on dealing with the past as pre condition for EU accession, study visits to Kosovo and study visit to The Netherlands and Brussels. The young participants engage in youth activities and actions during these study visits and in the period thereafter. At the end of their exchange year the participants give lectures to their peers about their newly gained experiences and knowledge.

Within the program participants share their ideas and views on political, cultural, social and other issues. OFEI constitutes an extra-curricular program that is widening and deepening knowledge of youngsters on different topics related to European integration and the Kosovo-Serbian conflict. Moreover the exchange constitutes an empowering and enriching life experience and gives the opportunity to meet people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds within and outside of their own societies.

OFEI Program started from 2003.

The Network...
The Our Future Network is the alumni network established by youngsters that have taken part in the Our Future Project exchange programme over the years. Youngsters from Kosovo, Serbia and the Netherlands in the age of 18 to 25 participate in different activities related to the Project and activities organized by themselves.

 

“Make Love, Not AIDS!”

Project "Make Love, Not AIDS" is part of the overall Kosovo Project “Scaling up HIV prevention in Kosovo” supported by Global Fund, a project which is being developed in cooperation with the Kosovo Coordinating Mechanism members, governmental and non-governmental institutions which have preventive character in front of HIV AIDS.

Project "Make Love, Not AIDS", among others, provides a range of activities relating to educational institutions which will further range as:

 

 

 

•    Info Tends – 10 Kosovo municipalities covered by distribution of IEC materials and condoms, in specific locations (City Centers).
•    Open Discussions – 20 Kosovo high schools of different municipalities covered by Peer to Peer lectures relating to HIV/AIDS and IST diseases
•    Mini Grants – 5 Mini Grants awarded to young people groups and young organizations to implement their projects relating HIV/AIDS and STI prevention on their municipalities
•    1st December Main Event – The World Day against HIV/AIDS
•    Publication of IEC Materials and Production of TV and Radio Clips

 

 

 

”I want to be heard”

INTRODUCTION

Non-Governmental organization Integra in period 2008 - 2009 has implemented project “I want to be heard”, project which has been financially supported by IKV/Pax Christi. Partner Organization of this project were; OGI (from Nis – Serbia) and CBM (Mitrovica – Kosovo). This project consisted on finding and interviewing 10 war victims in Kosovo and publishing these interview transcripts on a book named “I want to be heard”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Shape Your Critics on Silent Wall” #2

Integra supported by Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR), implemented the project “Shape Your Critics on Silent Wall” in 5 municipalities of Kosovo. Participants were students from 5 high schools in 5 municipalities: Gjilan: High School “Zenel Hajdini”; Prizren: High School “Gjon Buzuku”; Gjakove:  High School “Hajdar Dushi”; Peja: Art High School “Odhise Paskali”;  Ferizaj: High School “Kuvendi I Arbërit”.

 

 

 

 

 

INTEGRA is publishing "Faruk Begolli" Monograph in English and Serbian Version. Albanian verison was published on July 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The basic goal of the project “Simulate Your Negotiations” is to encourage the development of the civil society in Kosovo and in the region in conjunction with the surrounding societies it and with which there is interconnection There are many components to such a complex aim, but the specific focuses of our work include:

Demonstrating through practical experience the potential individuals have for resolving societal problems and conflicts, both internal and external;
Educating students as to their potential contributions and empowering them through knowledge of governmental and inter-governmental processes;
Emphasizing the importance of skills development in all citizens, to provide a flexible work-force, and an enterprising and adaptable citizenry to support the ongoing processes of transition.

This project is financially supported by Embassy of The Netherlands and implemented by INTEGRA and CCSD