The Report provides an overview of the current situation regarding the research in social sciences in Kosovo, including relevant policies, institutions, funding schemes and research projects. The findings show that research activities in Kosovo are mainly donor driven (International Community) and profit/business oriented. Even though most of the young researchers have studied abroad, there is low number of researchers with PhD degrees engaged in work of private research institutes. Lack of institutional framework, lack of funds and lack of credible data are also identified as obstacles for research in social sciences in Kosovo.

On the basis of identified problems in the field of social sciences in Kosovo, the Assessment offers a set of recommendations for development and advancement of social sciences. Some of the main recommendations relate to:

• Increasing the budget allocations for research activities,
• Providing educational and infrastructural support for research in social sciences - bridging the gap between the community and policy makers,
• Further education of young researchers - scholarships, conference and seminars participation,
• Establishing a council for validation and collection of data from sources in Kosovo,
• Establishing a research centre at the University of Prishtina,
• Promotion of individual research - award of excellence,
• Restructuring publicly funded research institutes.

The Riinvest Institute for Development Research compiled this Assessment in the framework of the Regional Research Promotion Programme in the Western Balkans (RRPP), supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Download the full version of the Assessment

© 2008 University of Fribourg / Interfaculty Institute for Central and Eastern Europe (IICEE)

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