ABOUT US

Profile

iCHAT institute is a non-profit organization that functions as a center for studies and analysis of contemporary social policies, developments, problems, and social dynamics. iCHAT’s mission is to promote and develop the values of democracy, peace, security, human rights, rule of law, economic and social development.

iCHAT aims to interpret and analyze present social trends within Kosovo society and beyond, with a strong focus on providing an innovative approach to the practice of research and analysis in the country.

The whole work of the institute is guided by the engagement of its members on emancipating values and equality, freedom and social justice, principles that should serve as a major engine of policies and practices during the process of social transformation in Kosovo.

To achieve the above, iCHAT conducts researches, analysis, training, consultancy, international conferences, regional and international exchange practices.

iCHAT believes that solving social problems starts from proper planning which is carried out by the determination and passion of independent professionals.

In its work, iCHAT is guided by the principle that the constant is the only difference, so the work being done in this institute aims to change and transform social realities in order to aim sustainable development.

A Brief History of iCHAT

Institute for Qualitative Research, Analysis and Training “iChat” was established in October 2014 as a nonprofit organization in accordance with Law no. 04 / L-57 on Freedom of Association in Non-Governmental Organizations in the Republic of Kosovo. Since 25.05.2017 iCHAT has Public Benefit Status with registration number 5115285-9 and fiscal number 601207659.

iCHAT is focused on these areas of activity:

• Research and Analysis;
• Consultancy;
• Strengthening the role of minorities in society (minority rights);
• Professional trainings for marginalized youth in 7 regions of Kosovo for innovation and
• entrepreneurship, team building, soft skills and leadership.
• Advocacy and Lobbying;
• Human rights;
• Organization of courses for education and training;
• Since 2016 iCHAT organizes different international conferences in Kosovo, such as The
• Model European Union with 150 local, regional and international participants. iCHAT has a
• partnership with BETA organization. BETA’s headquarter is in Germany. BETA is the
• founder of the Model European Union and organizes Model European Union Strasbourg.

Since 2016, iCHAT is the founder and organizer of the Kosova International Model United Nations conference, which brings together around 150 local, regional and international youth. This international conference is an educational and academic simulation in which students can learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations. The United Nations model includes and teaches research, public speaking, ability to debate and write, besides critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership skills.

iCHAT offers consultancy in the institutions of the government of the Republic of Kosovo during the drafting of documents, laws, regulations, and administrative instructions. iCHAT has implemented the project “Completion / Amendments to the Administrative Instruction for Voluntary Work of Youth in Kosovo” and today volunteer work is recognized as a work experience with the new Administrative Instruction, a project funded by USAID and supported by ATRC.

iCHAT has expressed its interest as a consultative mechanism within the EU-Kosovo Stabilization and Association bodies. iCHAT supports Kosovo’s integration process into the European Union and it has already implemented a project to “To Promote SAA”, which was supported by the Ministry of European Integration.

iCHAT has impelemted the project “Platform of the Preventive Measures to Reduce Delinquent Actions in Schools” in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

iCHAT has implemented the project, “Community Intervention as a Tool for Creating a Safe Environment for Young People” in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

iCHAT works to strengthen the role of minorities in society, supports repatriated persons, inclusiveness and sustainable social and economic development.

iCHAT has established the “Socially Owned Enterprise for Briquette Production in Novo Brdo” which is a successful cooperation between Serbian and Albanian communities. This project was supported by IOM (International Organization for Migration).

iCHAT has provided trainings and consultancy in the field of Innovation, youth mobilization and team building, soft skills and entrepreneurship (Entrepreneurship, Business Plan and Marketing) for marginalized young people and for people in need, within the project “Sustainable Return Reintegration and Preventing Migration of Citizens in Peja, Skenderaj and Drenas”. This project was funded by DIMAK / GIZ.

iCHAT promotes the interaction of different cultures for tolerance to diversity as the value of youth for integration and peace. iCHAT with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports has implemented the project “Promoting Cultural Diversity and Social Integration of Youth”.

iCHAT has worked on expanding the participation of youth in decision-making and capacity building within youth, which contributes to raising awareness on the prevention of the involvement of young people in extremely violent activity. iCHAT has implemented the project “We inform to prevent” which was funded by USAID and supported by ATRC.

In order to prevent young people’s involvement in extremism leading to radicalism, iCHAT has implemented the project “Prevent Before Challenging”, a project funded by the OSCE and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

In its framework of the projects, iCHAT has conducted researches with over 10,000 respondents and has trained about 1,000 participants in various programs.

The iCHAT Institute is now taking part in the meeting of seven Parliamentary Committees in the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo as:

• Committee for Education, Science, Technology, Culture, Youth and Sport;
• Committee on Legislation, Mandates, Immunities, Parliamentary Rules and Supervision of
• the Anti-Corruption Agency;
• Committee for European Integration;
• Committee on Foreign Affairs;
• Committee on Rights, Interests of Communities and Returns;
• Committee for Oversight of Public Finances;
• Committee on Human Rights, Gender Equality, Missing Persons and Petitions.