January 30, 2025 | Thursday
By: Arbër Selmani, CEL Kosova
The Center for Equality and Liberty (CEL) in Kosovo, established in July 2013, aims to strengthen the LGBT community by preventing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, raising public awareness of LGBT rights, and advocating for equal rights and non-discrimination in line with the country’s constitution and laws.
Established in July 2013, the Center for Equality and Liberty – CEL Kosova aims to strengthen the LGBT community by preventing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, raising public awareness of LGBT rights, and advocating for equal rights and non-discrimination in line with the country’s constitution and laws.
For over a decade, CEL Kosova has been working for inclusivity and solidarity by creating safe spaces for dialogue and collaboration between the LGBT community in Kosovo and society at large. The EU in Kosovo has been on CEL’s side on this mission in various ways, recently the EU has partnered with CEL through a Framework Partnership Agreement.
Through educational initiatives, advocacy campaigns and partnerships with local and international stakeholders, CEL works to promote social change and advance human rights for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation.
CEL’s support program ensures that LGBTIQ+ individuals have access to safe, non-judgmental spaces, offering psychosocial assistance, free legal aid, housing, and other community resources. It addresses issues such as coming out, discrimination, violence, anxiety, depression, and other health concerns. Through its capacity building program, CEL Kosova works with LGBTIQ+ individuals to enhance their skills, knowledge, and self-confidence. By providing training, mentoring, and engagement opportunities, the program empowers individuals to become active contributors to the LGBTIQ+ communities in Kosovo and beyond. Furthermore, CEL Kosova’s advocacy program includes advocating for equal rights and non-discrimination of the LGBTIQ+ community in Kosovo, in line with the country’s constitution and laws.
The organization aims to strengthen the legal framework for LGBTIQ+ individuals and increase their participation in relevant international and regional mechanisms and projects beneficial to the community and society at large.
The European Union in Kosovo continued its invaluable support for CEL Kosova throughout 2024, enabling several impactful initiatives aimed at empowering the LGBTIQ+ community and fostering inclusivity. These are just some of the initiatives supported by the EU in Kosovo for CEL Kosova.
Occupational Training – Makeup Artistry
In collaboration with Sellma Beauty, CEL Kosova organized a specialized makeup training program to enhance skills in makeup artistry. Three LGBTIQ+ individuals from Peja and Prishtina participated, representing diverse age groups and backgrounds. The training provided a comprehensive curriculum covering topics such as preparing makeup primer, creating light and glamorous makeup looks, mastering creative makeup techniques, capturing social media photography, and eyebrow preparation. Participants engaged in both theoretical lessons and practical exercises to build confidence and technical expertise. Although one participant discontinued the program on the fourth day due to personal reasons, the training overall provided a supportive environment for skill development and career exploration.
CEL Kosova implemented a Hate Speech Monitoring initiative to systematically analyze and document instances of hate speech targeting the LGBTI community in various media formats. The project focused on identifying patterns, trends, and the prevalence of hate speech across 12 daily news portals in Kosovo. The selection of these portals was based on their high readership, article output, and audience engagement. This initiative involved discourse analysis of language used in news articles and comment sections, offering insights into how LGBTIQ+ individuals and issues are portrayed in the media. The findings were presented at a launching event on December 16, 2024, at Bubble Pub, followed by a panel discussion that sparked meaningful dialogue on combating online hate speech.
Research with University of Prishtina: Students Advocacy Fellowship
CEL Kosova engaged University of Prishtina students in a unique advocacy fellowship that combined research and public presentations to promote LGBTI+ rights. The initiative unfolded in three phases: workshops, research drafting, and the final publication and presentation of research papers. Thirteen students were selected to participate, grouped into five teams, and paired with mentors who guided their research. Topics explored included:
The fellowship began with an introductory workshop at the University of Prishtina and culminated in the publication and presentation of the research findings, empowering students to contribute to social change.
From November 15 to 17, CEL Kosova held a Legal Aid Workshop designed to empower 10 LGBTI+ community members by enhancing their understanding of legal rights and strategies. The workshop included interactive sessions on advocacy, community mobilization, and legal frameworks, along with discussions to address common challenges faced by the LGBTI+ community in Kosovo. Participants left with a stronger grasp of key concepts related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and LGBTI+ terminology, equipping them to advocate for themselves and others.
The EU in Kosovo played a vital role in supporting the Prishtina Pride Week celebrations, a series of vibrant and inclusive events celebrating LGBTIQ+ identities and rights. Note that Prishtina Pride Week is being organized jointly by CEL Kosova, CSGD, CRD and YIHR. Activities included:
These events brought together diverse audiences, fostering visibility, dialogue, and pride within the LGBTIQ+ community and beyond.