Introducing the Second Cohort: Six Kosovo-Serbia Research Fellows Selected

News Fellowship Reconnection

As part of the second cycle of the Kosovo-Serbia Fellowship Program, Heartefact has chosen six researchers who will explore new and constructive narratives regarding the relations between Kosovo and Serbia, ranging from language and translation issues to education, EU-facilitated dialogue, normalization process and other relevant political and social areas. During the three-month research period, participants will spend one month in either Belgrade or Prishtina. Throughout the program, they will have the opportunity to influence dominant narratives and offer new perspectives to the public on the topic of their research.

The selected candidates include four persons from Kosovo and two from Serbia:

MILOŠ PAVKOVIĆ (Belgrade), a researcher at the European Policy Center in Belgrade, wants to analyze different narratives surrounding the EU-led Belgrade-Prishtina dialogue and the process of normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia. The primary hypothesis suggests the existence of two distinct narratives regarding the dialogue and the anticipated outcomes among different stakeholders in Kosovo and Serbia. Most actors in Kosovo view the dialogue as integral to state-building and anticipate mutual recognition as the culmination of the normalization process. Serbia’s official narrative is that the dialogue is settled within the 1999 United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 which does not question Serbia’s sovereignty over Kosovo.

Keywords: Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, official narratives

SADIE SUHODOLLI (Mitrovica), also known as Tadi, is a multi-disciplinary artist and activist. She aims to explore the linguistic transition experienced by Albanian youth in Kosovo who entered the educational system in the late 1990s or after the war. Her focus lies on translation practices and the void that emerged after the shift away from the Serbian language. The research seeks to assess the potential for reconciliation between languages and the creation of new translations of pivotal texts on Kosovo crisis, conflict, human rights, and transitional justice, authored by prominent intellectuals in Serbo-Croatian and Albanian language.

Keywords: language, translation, literature

VISAR XHAMBAZI (Prishtina), an editor and project manager at Sbunker, aims to explore an alternative perspective on conflict resolution known as Track Two Diplomacy, adopting a bottom-up approach. Track Two Diplomacy diverges from traditional diplomatic methods by engaging non-official representatives of conflicting parties, including influential non-state actors and stakeholders. While not inherently more effective than Track One Diplomacy, if integrated with traditional approaches, Track Two Diplomacy holds the potential to enhance the likelihood of achieving desired outcomes in conflict resolution.

Keywords: Track-Two Diplomacy, conflict resolution

HRISTINA MIKIĆ (Belgrade), a head of research and development at the Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship and Innovation, aims to assess the economic cooperation and relations in creative industries between Serbia and Kosovo through an analysis of cultural policy measures and their effects on collaboration conditions and cultural diversity. According to Hristina, cultural cooperation between Serbia and Kosovo is a sensitive issue with historical resistance dating back to the beginning of the century. Efforts to establish a regional creative industry market and a shared cultural space in the Western Balkans, recognizing Serbia and Kosovo as independent cultural territories, began with initial support from the international community toward Kosovo’s independence.

Keywords: Creative Entrepreneurship, creative economy, creative industry market

ISMAIL MYRSELI (Prizren), an artist, and cultural worker, aims to investigate the alternative music scene in Kosovo and Serbia, offering a comprehensive analysis of the subculture and its significance. His research will employ participants’ observation, interviews, document analysis, video work, and collaborative zine creation. It will also examine the social, political, and economic factors influencing the scene development and its broader societal impact. By focusing on the emergence of alternative music scenes in Kosovo and Serbia over the past two decades, the study will aim to identify similarities and differences between them.

Keywords: alternative music scene, nightlife, cultural cooperation

ADEA BATUSHA (Prishtina), a researcher holding a master’s degree in Sociology of Education from Uppsala University in Sweden, plans to investigate social cohesion in schools near the Kosovo-Serbia border, specifically in Kamenicë/Kamenica, Gjilan/Gnjilane, Bujanovac/Bujanovc, and Preševo/Preshevë. The primary objective of her research is to uncover the nuanced situational conditions arising from the unique geographical positioning of schools at the intersection of historical and geopolitical influences. Her research will attempt to shed light on the distinctive role which border cities play in shaping the educational landscape and explore how inter-ethnic relations are shaped, identifying methods to challenge harmful narratives entrenched in the educational system.

Keywords: education, border cities, inter-ethnic relations

This fellowship program is implemented within the project Enhancing Cross-Border Cooperation and Social Engagement in the Western Balkans, with the support of the National Endowment for Democracy.

There's more

They Are All Gone Directed by Andrej Nosov Performed at the International Theatre Festival MESS in Sarajevo

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Award-winning Heartefact production How I Learned to Drive presented at TXT Festival in Naples

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Boost Grants: Building stronger ways of working

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“Buried Wonders” at Hartefact House on 7, 8 and 9 October

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Second Sarajevo Theatre Showcase: Seven productions from the region presented to the European theatre community

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Interaction

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The Second Cultural Nexus Held: Independent Voices, Shared Futures

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Queer Art Showcase: Eight Stories by Regional Artists Taking Shape

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From Heartefact’s Playwriting Competition to the Stage: “The Woman Ties the Ponytail” Premieres at Belgrade Drama Theatre

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Cultural Nexus: Independent Voices, Shared Futures

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Legacy of Resistance

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Building Strong Organizations Means Building a Stronger Cultural Sector

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Culture for Democracy: Organizations Supported through the Job Shadowing Call 2026

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Awarded 9 Grants under the Human Rights Leadership Program for 2026

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On Wounded Spaces, Emerging Culture of Remembrance, and a European Metropolis during War

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Learning That Stays: How Job Shadowing Helps Cultural Organizations in North Macedonia Grow

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Participants Selected for the Residency Programme in Kutná Hora, Czechia

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Bringing Divided Communities Back Together In The Balkans

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Annual Gathering of the Human Rights Leadership Program Alumni Community

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Open Call For Participation In The Dokufest Visiting Program 2026

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No Apologies! Balkan Tour: What if Kurt Cobain had been a trans woman?

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Hamam Internacionala – Under the Domes

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Supporting Albanian-Language Playwrights: The Playground Mentorship Programme Begins

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Call for Applications for Job Shadowing Program

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Three cultural advocacy projects selected for support through the Advocacy Grants Scheme

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Norwegian Premiere of “They are All Gone” at the International Ibsen Scope Festival

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The launch of the Queer Art Academy program in Belgrade

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New Encounters in Pristina: Launch of the New Generation of the Kosovo–Serbia Fellowship Program

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Building Bridges Through Media: The Kosovo-Serbia Visiting Program

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Uncle’s Abuse During Driving Lessons: Italian La Lettura on the play “How I learned to Drive”

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Heartefact Returns to the Milan Triennale – “How I Learned to Drive” on Stage for Italian Audiences

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Beyond Borders: Join Us in Shaping the Future of Independent Culture in Skopje 2026

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Open Call for Playwrights: Playground for Emerging Playwrights – Kosovo

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The Regional VIBE Program Continues to Connect Young People: Visits in Podgorica, Belgrade, and Tirana

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“Quiet Hours from Two to Six” – A New Play on the Heartefact House Repertoire

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Culture for Democracy: Supported Projects within the Call for Cultural and Artistic Project Implementation in Serbia

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Call for Concept Notes: BOOST GRANTS (Republic of North Macedonia)

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Extended Application Deadline for Queer Art Academy Program

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CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS: GRANTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING

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Director Tara Mitrović at the Playground Residency in London

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Audience Development Workshop was held in Veles

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Human Rights Leadership Program Seminar Was Held

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Call for Project Proposals: Grants for the Implementation of Artistic Projects by Young and/or Emerging Artists (My First Time)

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Call for Project Proposals: Artistic Grants for the Implementation of Cultural and Artistic Projects

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Heartefact’s Kosovo-Serbia Visiting Program in Pristina from December 3 to 6

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Heartefact’s Play “They Are All Gone” Directed by Andrej Nosov Premieres in New York

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OPEN CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS: Audience Development Workshop

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Premiere of the play “Art&Money” at Heartefact House

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Premiere of the play “Art&Money” by Swedish director Freja Hallberg at Heartefact House

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We are looking for the Regional Communication Lead!

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Heartefact Fund is looking for the Financial and Administrative Grant Assistant!

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Sarajevo Premiere of the Play “They Are All Gone” Held at SARTR

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Playground Workshop for the Development of the Play “Don’t Run Hamlet” by Francesca Garolla Held at Heartefact House

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Playground Workshop for the Development of the Play “…lead us not into temptation…” by Mark Oltean Held at Heartefact House

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Open Call: Internship at Heartefact Institute

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12th Bašta Fest: All we need — connection, dialogue, and art!

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Strengthening the Independent Cultural Scene – the public discussion held in Skopje

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CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS: ADVOCACY GRANTS (REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA)

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Open Application Call for Kosovo–Serbia Bridge Fellowship Program

Heartefact is pleased to announce an ongoing open call for the Kosovo-Serbia Bridge Fellowship Program – a cross-border initiative that supports young professionals, researchers, and creatives from Kosovo and Serbia who are eager to build new and constructive narratives about the relations between the two societies. Unlike previous editions, this year’s call will remain open year-round. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and fellows will be selected according to the quality, originality, and potential impact of their proposed research and action plans.

Young People from Serbia Explore Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Novi Pazar through the Regional VIBE Program

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Workshop “Personal Story as the Inspiration for a Theatre Play” Held at Heartefact House

From September 26 to 29, 2025, the playwriting workshop “Personal Story as the Inspiration for a Theatre Play” was held at Heartefact House in Belgrade, marking the final activity of the two-year project “Fabulamundi – New Voices.”

Pančevo Film Festival: Brave Cinematic Voices Driving Social Change

As part of the “Culture for Democracy” project, supported by the Government of Switzerland, the Pančevo Film Festival was officially opened last week in Pančevo. The ninth edition of the festival reaffirmed PAFF’s reputation as a platform for auteur cinema, social dialogue, and the promotion of young artistic voices.

CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS: GRANTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC PROJECTS (REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA)

The Culture for Development project is announcing the Second Call for the Artistic Grant Scheme for project proposals to allocate grants for the implementation of artistic and cultural projects in the Republic of North Macedonia. The objective of this call is to support the development and implementation of socially relevant and culturally enriching contemporary artistic projects that promote diversity in artistic practices and expressions, address critical social issues, and foster community development.

Culture for Democracy: Supported Projects within the Boost Grants Call

As part of the Culture for Democracy (CfD) project, Heartefact launched the Boost Grants call on June 9, 2025, to support established cultural and artistic organizations in Serbia. The goal of this call was to strengthen the organizational capacities and resilience of independent cultural actors through long-term support, enhanced strategic development, and improved financial sustainability.

Radical Optimism from a Kosovar Hill — an original text by director Tara Manić about Dua Lipa’s concert in Pristina

We are publishing the original text “Radical Optimism from a Kosovar Hill” by director Tara Manić, first released on September 4 in Nedeljnik. Tara wrote the text upon her return from Pristina, where, as part of our Kosovo–Serbia Visiting Program, she attended a concert of today’s major pop star — Dua Lipa. We are sharing the text in full.

The final networking event of the project Voices from the margins was held

From 4 to 6 September 2025, the final networking event of the Voices from the margins project took place in Belgrade. During the three-day visit to Belgrade, the programme participants—young activists from all over Serbia—had the opportunity to tour several relevant non-governmental organizations, and meet other activists.

CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS: INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT GRANTS (REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA)

The Culture for Development project is announcing the second Call for Institutional Grants Scheme to support well-established cultural organizations in the Republic of North Macedonia. The objective of this call is to strengthen the organizational and financial capacities of these organizations by providing financial resources, infrastructural support and capacity building activities. This intervention seeks to enhance organizational stability, ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience within the cultural sector.

The First Sarajevo Theatre Showcase Presented Numerous Young Artists to the Regional and European Theatre Public

From September 12 to 15, Sarajevo hosted the first edition of the Sarajevo Theatre Showcase, an annual professional event that provides a significant development platform for theatre professionals from Southeast Europe. The Showcase is organized by cultural organizations and theatres from five countries: Sarajevo War Theatre SARTR, Heartefact from Serbia, Ulysses Theatre from Croatia, Binario Vivo from Italy, Para Film&Theatre from Norway, and Realstage from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Exhibition of Personal Stories from Marginalized Communities “There’s Room for Everyone” Opened at Heartefact House

The exhibition “There’s Room for Everyone”, part of the campaign of the same name, was officially opened on Thursday, September 4, in the lobby of Heartefact House and will be available to visitors until the end of September. Photographs of various marginalized communities in Serbia, staged inside an elevator, are accompanied by personal testimonies of participants, highlighting that diversity should not be a reason for exclusion, but rather an opportunity for solidarity.

Students from Serbia visited the Short Theatre Festival in Rome within the European project Fabulamundi – New Voices

As part of the final phase of the European project Fabulamundi – New Voices, in which Heartefact and partners from about ten countries have been participating over the past two and a half years, we organized a visit of students from Serbia to the partner festival Short Theatre in Rome. The visit took place from September 5 to 7, during the 20th anniversary edition of this renowned festival.

The project “Culture for Development” announces to the public the names of the projects that received support within the first call!

The grants for cultural and artistic projects are awarded for the development and implementation of socially relevant contemporary art projects that contribute to the enrichment of culture and promote diversity in artistic practices and expressions, address critical social issues, and encourage community development.

Young Artists and Activists from Serbia Visited Festivals in Pristina and Prizren as Part of Heartefact’s Visiting Program

As part of Heartefact’s Kosovo–Serbia Visiting Program, we organized a visit in early August to festivals in Pristina and Prizren for a group of young artists and activists from Serbia. During the visit, the participants had the opportunity to attend three major cultural events in Kosovo – the 24th edition of the DokuFest International Documentary Film Festival in Prizren, the 6th edition of the Sunny Hill music festival in Pristina, and the 5th edition of the Autostrada Biennale, an international contemporary art festival.

OPEN CALL: GRANTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING (REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA)

Public presentation of the play Doughnuts held as part of the New Voices workshop

On Sunday, July 6, a public presentation of the play Doughnuts (Buhtle) was held at Heartefact House, marking the conclusion of the four-day Playground for New Voices workshop. The workshop took place within the European project Fabulamundi: New Voices, which Heartefact implements with partners from nine European countries. It was led by director and playwright Patrik Lazić, in collaboration with emerging playwright Jelena Krdžavac, the acting ensemble, and translator Olja Petronić.

Exploring and developing contemporary drama through process: Doughnuts by Jelena Krdžavac in the spotlight of the Playground workshop

As part of the Fabulamundi project, implemented by Heartefact in collaboration with partners from nine European countries, the Playground workshop is taking place in Belgrade from July 3 to 6. Led by director and playwright Patrik Lazić, the workshop brings together a cast of actors and emerging playwright Jelena Krdžavac to explore and further develop her play Doughnuts (Buhtle), which was shortlisted in last year’s Heartefact Competition for Best Contemporary Socially Engaged Drama.

Culture for Democracy: Supported Projects within the Call for Cultural and Artistic Project Implementation in Serbia

An exceptional response—totaling 273 applications—reflects the critical position of the cultural sector in Serbia in the context of the current political and social climate. Based on the Commission’s evaluation, 22 projects have been selected for support, with a total budget of 21,500,000.00 RSD. Although this amount exceeds the originally planned budget for this call, we believe that, amid the ongoing crisis and with public calls for cultural funding either canceled or indefinitely postponed, such support is more necessary than ever.

Artistic Residency and Public Presentation of Gaelle Axelbrun’s Play Held as Part of the Playground Project

From June 22 to 28, 2025, an artistic residency of French playwright Gaelle Axelbrun took place at Heartefact House in Belgrade, as part of the European project Playground. During this intensive seven-day working period, Gaelle, together with director Tara Manić, translator Olja Petronić, and the acting ensemble—Nevena Kočović, Jana Bjelica, and Andrej Nježić—explored the dramaturgical and performative potential of her play Far from the Mud in Which We Sink into Sleep.

Residency of French Author Gaelle Axelbrun in Belgrade as Part of the Playground Project

From June 22 to 28, 2025, the Heartefact House in Belgrade will host a residency for French playwright Gaelle Axelbrun as part of the European project Playground. This intensive seven-day residency, organized by Heartefact, is part of an international collaboration focused on the development of contemporary dramatic texts by emerging European authors.

First Seminar for Youth from Serbia Held as Part of the Regional VIBE Program

From June 20 to 22, 2025, Heartefact organized a three-day seminar for young people from Serbia in Belgrade as part of the regional program VIBE – Connecting Young People. The program brings together youth from Serbia, Montenegro, and Albania with the aim of strengthening regional cooperation and exchange. Designed as a space for learning, dialogue, and connection, it focuses on human rights, regional cooperation, the shared history of the region, and reflections on the future that young people wish to shape through activism and civic engagement.