By all accounts, Kosovo is in a limbo state of "no war, no peace." While the bombs have stopped falling and the media has moved on, the situation remains tense and unstable, and periodically explodes into violence. Most international efforts have focused on the top-down rebuilding of large-scale political and economic institutions and infrastructure. CRC's Community Facilitators Project (CF), currently under development, seeks to compliment and enhance those efforts by working from the bottom-up to build civil society in Kosovo. The CF approach is to support and empower ordinary citizens to be problem-solvers and agents of peaceful change within their own communities, and to create grassroots economic, political and social structures that are truly representative of those they serve. The project centers around joint local / international citizen teams of "community facilitators" offering a range of personal/group support and conflict resolution services and activities available to all citizens.

The Community Facilitators Project in Kosovo, which derives from the Neighborhood Facilitators Project in Bosnia, has the following Goals and Objectives

• Return and reintegration of refugees; social reconciliation; community-building
• Community development, especially housing and micro-economic needs
• Community-based security; safe neighborhoods (collaboration with military/police forces)
• Citizen empowerment Ð ability of citizens to effect positive change in their communities
• Building democratic culture; civil society development; strengthen grassroots-based democratic structures
• Promote education and use of nonviolent conflict resolution
• Improve interpersonal, family, and interethnic relations
• Human rights; housing and job rights

The basic structure of CF consists of locally-led community facilitator teams of four people - 3 locals and 1 international. The teams will be based at easily accessible regional Community Facilitation Public Drop-in Centers in small to middle size urban areas. The Centers will serve as a safe place for people of all groups to access information, resources, and problem-solving services, to organize themselves into constructive action groups, as well as to participate in social and educational activities. Up to 20 facilitators will be based at each Center, along with consultative and administrative support staff. Some of the facilitator teams will work as mobile units within the city, in outlying towns, and in rural areas. The current plan is that CRC will open one community facilitation center in the first stage of the project, with the possibility of opening at least two more within the first year.

CF will be run jointly by CRC and a local Kosovar partnering organization, with additional sponsorship and subcontracting arrangements possible with other organizations and agencies. There will be a Project Director and an in-country Kosovar project manager overseeing ongoing project operations and development, as well as a local and an international coordinator dealing with day to day operations.

CF's methodology is embodied in the unique role of the facilitators which is a combination of counselor, mediator, information gatherer, advocate, protector, stimulator, friend and encourager. Rather than solving the problem for the person, the facilitators assist the person to better understand the problem, to acquire and mobilize skills and resources to solve it, as well as to be a link between the various parties to address not only the immediate problem but also its underlying aspects. CF's work is rooted in the mindsets of ordinary Kosovars (of all nationalities), in their experiences of material deprivation, disempowerment, fear, polarization, trauma, and oppression, and in their abilities and aspirations. Services and activities include:

• Psychological support and reduction of fear; Trust and relationship-building
• Honest and confidential communication to illuminate positions and underlying interests
• Exploration of all sides of a problem and finding creative solutions
• Information-gathering and dissemination, referrals, advice, consultations
• Mediation of individual cases, where appropriate; Follow-up of all cases, even if referred out
• Bridge-building and problem-solving between people in need and local authorities / international organizations, mainly through advocacy and accompaniment
• Organizing of individuals and vulnerable populations into groups; ongoing support for discussion and action groups

Each individual's case will be handled by a facilitator or by a whole team, if necessary, to ensure no one "falls through the cracks." The facilitators' job is to link with the client and for the two of them to be holders of the problem and holders of potential solutions together. The critical first task is to listen and empathize. The facilitator aims to see the problem as if he/she were the client. In turn, the client is encouraged to see the problem as if he/she were the problem-solver for someone else. As for the problem-solving component, the facilitators' key role is once again a linking one, this time between local people and the international agencies / local authorities, to build coalitions and encourage more equitable power sharing.

While the local facilitators interface directly with the client and provide most the direct services, it's the international facilitators who play a vital support role, particularly in terms of bridge-building. The internationals will likely have more entree and influence with the international agencies and local authorities, and can provide a greater sense of safety to individuals through accompaniment, witness, and advocacy.

Programs

• Given the scope of destruction and dislocation in Kosovo, CF's immediate focus will be on dealing with emergency needs such as food and shelter, particularly through organizing groups and being a link with relief and development organizations. (e.g. CARE, IRC).
• Long-term community viability will come, in part, through micro-economic development programs, such as starting small businesses, obtaining credit, job search, and enhancing employability. Again, organizing groups and being a link with outside agencies will be the primary facilitator roles.
• A major focus of CR is to build "community security" through coordination and cooperation with military peacekeeping forces (KFOR), the UN, local authorities, and other major players, along with organizing nonviolent security groups, and training in nonviolent protection. While recognizing that violence has been somewhat endemic and weapons are plentiful, it is still possible for people to mobilize and protect each other, thus reducing the sense of threat and helping people to move beyond the overall trauma of having lived through violent conflict.
• People need to be able to meet and talk, vent their frustrations, and explore a variety of information and perspectives about important issues. Organized discussion groups will form around common interests or concerns. In many cases, a safe, neutral environment to discuss the tough issues informally is where the healing starts.
• Education / skillbuilding in conflict resolution, psychosocial work, democracy and civil society development will involve training and other activities, such as local councils and town meetings. This is the long-term work of beginning to move the society beyond a culture of disempowerment and violence, toward a culture of peace. Given the priorities of dealing with basic living needs, plus a fragile security and a political situation that is so emotionally-charged, this peacebuilding educational component may take some time to develop.
• As for educational programs oriented to job placement and professional skillbuilding, we envision that the Centers will have classes in English and computer skills, workshops on job skills assessments and resume writing, and possibly a job board posting, as well as information and resources about small-scale business development and other micro-economic initiatives.
• The Centers will offer youth programs for after school and summer activities to address educational, social, and recreational needs, space permitting. In addition, we will look at ways to bring young people together from different groups to share common experiences and work on common concerns.

Pending expected funding, we are tentatively planning to begin the Community Facilitators Project in the late spring of 2000. The project will run a minimum of one to two years. A 10-day initial training for facilitators and management will be held in May. Please see our timeline and information on How To Apply. If you have additional questions, please contact CRC.

Thank you for your interest in joining the Community Facilitators Project in Kosovo. We invite you to participate in long-term peacebuilding as an International Facilitator. The work of community facilitators will be difficult and delicate, given the recent conflict in Kosovo, as well as its complex political, historical and social dynamics. Therefore, it is essential that we find the most qualified candidates, that they understand the commitment necessary, and are prepared for the work. With this in mind, the following application/selection process has been established. The process enables us to select people based on a variety of factors such as relevant skills and experience, motivation, depth of commitment, and personal qualities such as sensitivity, maturity, flexibility, self-directedness, teamwork, understanding of the risks involved, and adaptability to difficult physical / psychological conditions, while considering specific needs and the availability of positions.

In order to apply, please send the following information to CRC:

1. _ Application Form. Please answer all questions. Send any relevant supporting materials and background information. (You may download an application in pdf format, or contact CRC for a hard copy.)
2. _ Resume emphasizing relevant experiences and education.
3. _ Two reference letters (not from relatives) emphasizing applicable skills and experience and the personal qualities listed above.
4. _ $35 administrative processing fee (non-refundable) made payable to Conflict Resolution Catalysts.

Based on a review of the above information and a phone interview, applicants may be invited to participate in an intensive 10-day Training and Orientation, which is required for all applicants before going to Kosovo. Invitation to the training does not require nor guarantee participation in the Community Facilitators Project in Kosovo. The training will enable both you and CRC to better assess your skill and ability to participate in the program. We will invite 25 applicants to the training.

Following the training/orientation, applicants will be evaluated by CRC and its project partners in Kosovo. This will include a personal interview with the Project Director and Program Coordinator(s) in Kosovo. If invited to be an International Community Facilitator, applicant will generally be notified at least two weeks prior to departure. If accepted, applicant must sign an agreement outlining conditions of participation and a waiver of liability.

Those persons selected to be international facilitators will have their international travel costs covered, plus receive lodging, meal per diem, and a reasonable salary. Those selected must commit to a minimum of six months. (Support staff positions, at the CRC office and in Kosovo, are available for shorter time periods. Check with CRC for details).

We welcome your comments and questions. We look forward to getting to know you and, with your help, offer meaningful assistance to the process of long term peacebuilding for the people of Kosovo.

January - February - Initial projectj research and development, recruitment, and training development.
March - Project assessment and development trip to Kosovo, scout potential Community Facilitation Center sites, network with local and international organizations, work out specific details about project structure and programs, and finalize partnership agreements.
May - First training for international facilitators, followed by training for Kosovar facilitators
May/June - Joint Training, establish facilitator teams in Kosovo, set up Community Facilitation Center.
June - Phase 1: Address basic needs such as food, shelter, psychological support and community security.
August - Phase 2: Assist with micro-economic development, job placement, family and neighborhood relationship building.
October - Phase 3: Begin conflict resolution education, democracy building programs such as discussion groups and public forums, intergroup relationship building.