Kosovo’s legal framework imposes extensive obligations on central and local Institutions to ensure that there is equality of all official languages used in Kosovo. However, the Law on the Use of Languages remains only partially implemented due to insufficient human and official resources, often accompanied by an insufficient understanding of Institutional obligations. Often, the official documents are provided with a poor translation which causes reputational damage and sets a very bad example overall for Institutions.

The project “Respect my Language”  focused on raising awareness on Institutional responsibilities in respecting, promoting and protecting the languages in Kosovo in accordance with the  Law on the Use of Languages. The aim of this project was to initiate a debate on a better understanding of multilingualism as an efficient mechanism to integrate non-majority communities in Kosovo. In order to achieve this, KUSA in cooperation with Language Commissioner organized a conference “Multiculturalism: value and/or obligation”, which gathered representatives of central and local institutions. The conference addressed the importance of encouraging multiculturalism within Kosovo, as to position it as a multilingual country. It assessed the current situation and challenges to the implementation of this process to promote Kosovo as an inclusive society. During the conference, the institutions complained that the lack of resources hinders that the respect for the law should not be repeated, and the use of the law for official languages must be prioritized by the leaders of the institutions. During the conference, the institutions complained that the lack of resources hinders that the respect for the law should not be repeated, and the use of the law for official languages must be prioritized by the leaders of the institutions.

Reached Project Objectives:

• Participants discussed and reflected on the overall situation and obligations of local and central government in fully implementing the Law on the Use of Languages.

• The increase of accountability of local and central institutions towards citizens.    

• Raising awareness on society and developing a  multi-language environment in Kosovo through a wide spectrum of Institutional actors.