ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how ethnic divisions in Kosovo and competing narratives about the brutal wars of the past have shaped community vulnerability towards ethnonationalist radicalisation and are exploited to create tensions and instability and weaken tolerance in the society. In doing so, it analyses the media narratives that empower nationalism and ethnopolitical radicalisation and discusses how social media have empowered radical individuals. In addition, it examines agency and actorness of civil society in the context of the ethnopolitical radicalisation process in Kosovo. Civil society in Kosovo is a vital conduit between the government and local communities in matters of radicalisation and violent extremism. Although so-called “radicalised individuals” tend to be sceptical of both the Kosovo government and NGOs because they are seen as having a very close connection and partnership with “the West”, many have cooperated with different NGOs and their projects. However, the heavy reliance of civil society on foreign donors, and an overly focus on religious extremism at the expense of ethno-nationalism, limits the impact and sustainability of the important work that NGOs do concerning radicalisation and violent extremism.
