Bridging the Gap Between Serbia and Kosovo
The Winter School is an intensive educational and networking programme designed to strengthen the capacities of civil society representatives, journalists, researchers, young professionals, and other stakeholders interested in regional cooperation, dialogue processes, and European integration.
Organised by the European Policy Centre (CEP Belgrade) in collaboration with partner organisations from Kosovo, the programme brings together participants from Serbia and Kosovo to explore key issues related to the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and regional cooperation. Through expert lectures, interactive workshops, and study visits, participants deepen their understanding of dialogue processes, peacebuilding, and the role of civil society in supporting sustainable normalisation and European integration.
The programme brings together participants from Serbia and Kosovo for several days of structured learning, discussion, and collaboration. Through expert lectures, interactive exercises, and practical group work, participants explore key political, social, and policy dimensions of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and the broader process of normalisation of relations. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of civil society in monitoring dialogue outcomes, promoting transparency, and supporting sustainable peacebuilding initiatives.
The Winter School combines academic insight with practical learning. The programme typically includes thematic panels with policy experts, journalists, and civil society practitioners, as well as simulation exercises and collaborative workshops that encourage participants to analyse real policy challenges and develop solutions together. Study visits may also be organised to provide first-hand insight into the work of the national, regional and international actors involved in regional stability and cooperation.
A key objective of the Winter School is to foster dialogue and exchange between participants from different communities and professional backgrounds. By creating a collaborative learning environment, the programme promotes mutual understanding, encourages cross-community cooperation, and supports the development of a new generation of professionals engaged in peacebuilding, policy analysis, and democratic dialogue.
The Winter School is organised periodically when conditions allow and is implemented in partnership with regional organisations and experts working on issues related to dialogue, reconciliation, and European integration.
North Mitrovica 2025
The first edition of the Winter School was held from 8 to 10 December 2025 in North Mitrovica, bringing together participants from Serbia and Kosovo for a three-day programme dedicated to strengthening understanding of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and the role of civil society in the normalisation process. 
Organised by the European Policy Centre (CEP Belgrade) in cooperation with its partner organisation Sbunker from Kosovo, the Winter School was supported by the Open Society Institute – Sofia Foundation (OSIS) through the “Think Tanks for the Future of EU Enlargement Program” (TFEP). The programme gathered a diverse group of civil society representatives, journalists, and young professionals, creating a platform for cross-community exchange and discussion in a location symbolically significant for relations between the two communities.
The programme combined expert-led thematic panels, interactive group exercises, and study visits to the regional offices of international missions operating in Mitrovica. Participants had the opportunity to engage directly with practitioners and policy experts, while also taking part in simulation and analytical exercises designed to explore the challenges of dialogue, negotiation, and cooperation. The first Winter School was evaluated very positively by participants, who highlighted the value of the interactive learning environment, cross-community exchange, and the opportunity to engage directly with the complexities of the normalisation process.
