Projects

Kosovo Media Assistance Program (KMAP) (2005-2008)

Project Goals
KMAP was a three-year program designed to strengthen independent media in Kosovo. ENCOMPASS was contracted to address the integration of the cross-cutting issues of gender and ethnicity in the media in Kosovo, with the goal of more balanced representation of women and other ethnicities in the newsroom and in media leadership. ENCOMPASS provided training to improve reporting on gender and ethnic issues in Kosovo by encouraging increased coverage of these issues, developing awareness among journalists of their importance, strengthening the role of female journalists in the media, and building skills for reporting on them in a productive and positive manner.

Methodologies Employed and Activities Undertaken
In Year 1, ENCOMPASS conducted a baseline study of gender and ethnicity in the media through two major online surveys and a series of appreciative focus groups, all done in both Albanian and Serbian. ENCOMPASS compiled the study findings in a report and a PowerPoint presentation, and shared these findings with key media and civil society groups in Kosovo through a facilitated roundtable discussion. Based on the study findings and the roundtable discussion of next steps, ENCOMPASS then designed and conducted two Professional Leadership Development Workshops for Women in Media, and two interethnic Media Dialogues, all held in Pristina in 2007. Through an online follow-up survey in Year 3, ENCOMPASS provided an updated description of the status of women in the field of journalism in Kosovo, and explored changes in journalists’ careers and organizations, as well as changes in how the media address ethnicity.

Accomplishments

In the baseline study, the survey of media outlets received responses from a total of 43 media managers and editors, representing 32 media organizations. This represented a response rate of 75% of the managers and editors, and 82% of the organizations surveyed. The survey of female journalists received responses from a total of 43 women representing 27 media organizations, representing a response rate of 70% of the women and 88% of the organizations surveyed.
A total of 42 media professionals of different ethnicities attended ENCOMPASS’ five appreciative focus group interview sessions.
A total of 22 media representatives participated in the roundtable discussion on the study findings and provided recommendations for strengthening the role of women and ethnic groups in the media. ENCOMPASS used the discussion to develop the content of further KMAP activities.
Each of the two Professional Leadership Development Workshops for Women in Media was attended by 15 participants. Workshop participants were indeed interested in the topic of leadership and eager to learn more. Additionally, the women found the opportunity for peer interaction to be a major benefit of the entire workshop.
Each of the two interethnic Media Dialogues was attended by 16 Kosovar media representatives of different ethnicities. These dialogues provided a powerful opportunity for young media colleagues to meet, to speak and be listened to, and to learn from and be affected by opinions that broadened their own. Participants seemed eager to engage in dialogue and quickly became comfortable speaking their minds with each other. Participants asked each other direct, probing, and insightful questions. Such interaction prompted a level of dialogue that was quite remarkable, addressing core issues that are affecting Kosovo media today. Open communication and cooperation were considered to be both the most appreciated and most useful aspects of the workshop.
In the report of the follow-up survey, ENCOMPASS presented findings from 46 respondents representing 28 media organizations. This represented a response rate of 51% of the women and 67% of the organizations surveyed. (It should be noted that this survey was conducted in the midst of a historic time in the life of Kosovo; it was launched days before November 2007 parliamentary elections of the Assembly of Kosovo. On February 17, 2008, in between the time the survey closed and the drafting of the survey report, the Kosovo Assembly approved a declaration of its independence as a nation.)
The follow-up survey identified clear positive impacts of the workshops. For example, one respondent wrote that the workshop “had positive influence on my future work and determination; I took more responsible jobs in my organization since I understood that women have larger ability and willingness to do different works.”