A Strategic Approach to Combating Extremism

Key Findings

Ethno-nationalism in Kosovo stems from competing historical narratives between Albanians and Serbs, especially about the 1990s war. Albanian youth often view it as a fight for liberation from Serbian oppression, emphasizing sacrifice, while Serbs frame it as a defensive “conflict” against Albanian insurgency, portraying themselves as victims. Interviews and focus groups reveal that among Albanian youth, nationalism is more of a defensive type —focused on protecting Kosovo’s sovereignty and seeking justice for the past, rather than excluding other ethnic groups. The dominant sentiment is: “We have sacrificed enough and we will fight to defend our country.”

Anti-gender movements in Kosovo portray feminism, LGBTIQ+ rights, and reproductive autonomy as threats to traditional values. These narratives are promoted through public hate speech, social media campaigns, and even parliamentary debates.Women are labeled as “corruptors” of societal norms when they demand equality. These movements not only target women’s rights but also push back against democratic values like pluralism, equality, and inclusion.

Misogyny is widespread also among youth, with growing narratives justifying violence against women and opposing gender equality. Social media amplifies these attitudes, often normalizing violence and promoting anti-gender rhetoric under the guise of cultural and religious norms.

Religious narratives are emerging, often tied to debates about national and religious identity. Young people increasingly use religion as a means of identity formation in reaction to perceived threats from Western values, including LGBTIQ+ rights.

While organized religious extremist networks have declined due to strict measures by Kosovo’s security institutions, the ideology has not disappeared. Extremist narratives have adapted, becoming subtler and more individualized. For example, some communities and groups continue to enforce rigid religious norms in private, such as restricting women’s roles, sustaining the cycle of exclusion and conservative radicalization.

Although interviewees, focus-group and workshop participants did not emphasize a significant rise in right-wing extremism, they identified several risk factors that could contribute to its emergence. These include: conflicting historical narratives, governance challenges, deep societal and political polarization, the rise of ethno-nationalist narratives and groups, anti-gender trends, increasing attacks on mainstream media and “the establishment,” and other forms of extremism, such as bullying among youth in schools.

The Kosovar identity, associated with the state of Kosovo, is becoming increasingly dominant among Albanian young compared to the Albanian identity linked to the Albanian state. This shift is driven by national symbols, such as the Kosovo flag, and pride in global achievements like Olympic victories. However, religious identity still competes with national identity, often superseding it. The lack of integration of diversity and multiculturalism into this emerging identity creates a risk of exclusivist or radical interpretations of what it means to be “Kosovar.”

Digital platforms like TikTok, X, Facebook, Telegram and Instagram serve as breeding grounds for extremism by spreading misinformation, hate speech, and conspiracy theories. Especially vulnerable youth, who lack critical thinking skills or media literacy, or maybe face isolation, are particularly at risk. Campaigns targeting marginalized groups, such as public harassment of LGBTIQ+ individuals or women whistleblowers, often begin and gain momentum online, amplifying offline discrimination and extremism.

A lack of education on diversity, human rights, and media literacy perpetuates intolerance and susceptibility to extremist narratives. Schools often fail to provide young people with the tools to critically analyze misinformation or engage constructively with different perspectives. This educational deficit allows extremism to flourish, as youth lack both the knowledge and frameworks to challenge radical ideologies.

Reconciliation in Kosovo is hindered by unresolved historical trauma and conflicting narratives about the war. Focus group participants emphasized “a tendency, particularly among some CSOs, to equate the suffering and victimhood of Albanians and Serbs during the war.” They argued that this approach undermines the reconciliation process and increases ethno-nationalism, as Albanians were the primary victims of the war, while Serb victimhood, though present in individual cases, does not reflect the experience of the community as a whole. Participants also highlighted the lack of shared understanding or common ground regarding the war, including the terminology used to describe it, which complicates discussions about the future. Furthermore, the absence of a common foundation for sustainable dialogue, combined with community isolation and differing historical perceptions, continues to hinder integration and coexistenc.