A DYNAMIC FORCE FOR INNOVATIVE SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION

In the quest for social development and transformation, the role of education and youth engagement cannot be overemphasized. That's where KIST+ comes in, a project aimed at fostering dialogue, combating disinformation, and fostering an inclusive society in Kosovo. The KIST+ initiative, as a continuation of the foundational KIST project, has expanded its scope by incorporating 12 schools and 2 municipalities. In the kick-off event project partners signed Memorandums of Understanding each of the beneficiary schools. The KIST+ project, generously financed by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kosovo and implemented by DokuFest in partnership with the Kosovo Education Center (KEC), sets out to tackle the issue of fake news and disinformation among teenagers. The project is the continuation of the foundational KIST project, has expanded its scope by incorporating 12 schools from as many municipalities. At its core, KIST+ aims to create independent forums for discussion and idea exchange for teenagers. It seeks to cultivate an environment conducive to cross-community cooperation, civic education, and active participation in communities. The project activities are planned and executed based on basic principles and strategies for inclusion. Moreover, KIST+ is dedicated to the promotion of Media Literacy among teenagers and local communities, which is instrumental in developing the ability to navigate a digitally-driven society. The project works toward equipping educators and community leaders with the necessary digital skills to guide young people. The goal is to aid them in developing the flexibility to identify and resist extremist narratives, hate speech, and to foster socio-emotional skills that promote constructive engagement in society without resorting to violence. KIST+ truly represents a dynamic force for innovative social transformation in Kosovo. By empowering teenagers and educators, KIST+ not only inspires societal change but also cultivates a generation of well-informed, digitally-savvy, and socially-responsible individuals, who will be equipped with the tools they need to build a more inclusive and resilient society.