The event marked the conclusion of a two-year regional initiative (2024–2026) aimed at strengthening the role of grassroots youth sport in fostering social inclusion, reconciliation, and cooperation across the Western Balkans.
Bringing together representatives of EU institutions, diplomatic missions, academia, civil society organisations, sports federations, practitioners, and young people, the conference provided a platform to reflect on project results, share lessons learned, and discuss pathways for sustaining impact beyond the project lifecycle.
Opening Remarks and Policy Perspectives
The conference was officially opened by representatives of the Vienna Institute for International Dialogue and Cooperation (VIDC) and the host organisation KFV Prishtina. Opening contributions highlighted sport’s growing relevance as a space for dialogue and social change in divided societies. As noted by Kurt Wachter (VIDC), “Sport has become a sector of civil society where progress can be made towards multi-ethnic integration, overcoming nationalist divides, and building local ownership. Even in challenging times, sport provides room for change.”
High-level policy speakers reinforced the importance of investing in youth, inclusion, and cooperation. Emphasising the EU’s commitment, Hubert Perr, Head of the EU Office in Kosovo, stated: “Sports foster inclusion. In Kosovo, sports—and football in particular—can play a key role in improving social inclusion of youngsters, boys and girls, from different backgrounds across society. The EU stands by your side and strongly supports the efforts in this direction.” Regional cooperation and long-term investment in young people were also framed as essential for building a more stable and cohesive Western Balkans.
Academic Insights: Sport and Peacebuilding
A key thematic contribution was delivered by Professor Richard Giulianotti (Loughborough University) in his keynote address on Sport and Peacebuilding in Divided Societies. Drawing on regional and international experience, he underlined both the potential and the limits of sport-based interventions, stressing the need for sustained support and realistic expectations. Reflecting on the conference discussions, he noted that “the conference highlighted the excellent work that is being done in Kosovo and the wider Western Balkans in using sport to promote peacebuilding, reconciliation and social inclusion, particularly for girls and women. It is vital that this work is maintained and built upon.” The keynote encouraged participants to think beyond short-term encounters and to link grassroots initiatives to broader institutional and policy frameworks that enable lasting change.
Research, Practice, and Institutional Perspectives
An Expert Panel brought together academic, institutional, and practitioner perspectives, represented by Dina Klingmann (GIZ), Ardian Latifaj (UNDP), Besnik Krasniqi (University of Prishitna) and Sanije Krasniqi from the Kosovar FA and Danilo Vukotic from the Montenegrian FA. The discussion focused on translating research evidence into practice, strengthening inclusive sport policies, and ensuring safe, gender-sensitive environments. Moderated by Dario Brentin (VIDC), the panel highlighted the importance of cross-sector cooperation and evidence-based approaches in addressing exclusion and discrimination in sport.
Institutional representatives reaffirmed their commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities within sport structures. As Sanije Krasniqi (Football Association of Kosovo) emphasised, “Inclusion, respect, and equal opportunity are fundamental principles of our work. The Football Federation supports initiatives that remove barriers to participation and create welcoming environments for everyone involved in the game.”
Project Results, Youth Voices, and Lessons Learned
The Activists Panel showcased concrete project activities and lessons learned from across the region, including grassroots sport events, multiplier trainings, and cross-border exchanges. Young multipliers, activists, and practitioners shared experiences from local contexts, highlighting both successes and challenges in working within divided communities.
Youth voices and athletes were central throughout the discussion, reinforcing the importance of clear guidance on how to organise inclusive, safe, and gender-sensitive sport activities. The conference repeatedly highlighted that sport initiatives are most effective when young people are not only participants but active agents of change within their communities.
Safeguarding, Sustainability, and Future Cooperation
Discussions throughout the conference underscored that safeguarding and sustainability must be embedded as core principles of sport-for-peace initiatives. Participants stressed that safe, inclusive, and gender-sensitive sport environments require long-term institutional commitment, trained staff and volunteers, and robust safeguarding frameworks. Sustainability was closely linked to the need for longer funding cycles, continuous capacity building, and stronger integration of social inclusion objectives into mainstream sport and education policies.
The conference concluded with a facilitated networking and collaboration forum, enabling participants to identify opportunities for cross-border cooperation, funding, and advocacy. We are specifically looking forward to future cooperation with the Football Association of Kosovo who underlined their commitment to working together with VIDC in the upcoming months and years.
Summarising the broader vision of the project, Kurt Wachter (VIDC) highlighted that “Sport Zajedno is a strong example of empowering young multipliers and connecting them with sport stakeholders.” Overall, the final conference reaffirmed the potential of grassroots youth sport as a meaningful tool for promoting social inclusion, reconciliation, and cooperation in the Western Balkans—provided it is supported by sustained investment, cross-sector partnerships, and a long-term commitment to learning and inclusion.
Link for the video from the event
Link to the programme of the event
Disclaimer: "Sport Zajedno" is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
