Community Building Mitrovica (CBM) was established in 2001 by a group of human rights activists. Since then, CBM has championed conflict transformation by promoting cooperation among citizens across ethnic divides. Although many obstacles to social cohesion remain, it is no longer taboo for citizens of Mitrovica to cross the Ibar River, learn, or do business with people of different ethnic backgrounds. Recognizing CBM’s pioneering role in achieving progress, PeaceNexus has been supporting CBM’s organizational development since 2020. Our support for CBM has focused on updating its strategic framework, its approach to human resources, and resource mobilization.
Although 2022 has been marked by several moments of high tension in the Mitrovica region, CBM’s multi-ethnic team has managed to adapt to this challenging environment. While the Ibar Bridge (which separates the Kosovo Albanian and Kosovo Serb neighborhoods) remains perceived as a symbol of ethnic division, it was precisely there that CBM organized a festival that successfully brought together communities that otherwise tend to live separately. In 2023, we will continue our support for CBM and focus on helping the organization develop a more robust monitoring and evaluation system.