The town of Mitrovica features the most profound ethnic tensions in South East Europe (SEE). It witnessed the most sizeable and highest frequency of ethnic incidents. In order to promote reconciliation and facilitate access to the North of Kosovo, the Kosovo Government (GoK) and the coalition of donors made an effort to establish a not for profit international independent higher vocational centre of competence in Mitrovica. In March 2010 the “International Business College in Mitrovica (IBCM) was opened.

To bridge the deep ethnic separation in the divided town of Mitrovica, leading to gradual normalisation of relations and the reduction of high inter-community tension.To foster private sector development in the Mitrovica region and to assist Kosovo on its path to EU integration

The project targets youth in a disadvantage area. Due to it's inclusive agenda it steers towards full inclusion of all ethnic communities living in the Mitrovica region. It has succeeded in including the Kosovo Serbian population in North Kosovo and today has around 50% ethnic Serbs and 50 % ethnic Albanians as its students. Youngsters from other non majority communities are also enrolled in this college.

Resultate von früheren Phasen:  

An IBCM foundation, was registered and established in Pristina in April 2011. A prominent International Advisory Board was appointed; All core teaching and administrative staff has been recruited; Joint activities in and outside of Kosovo have been organised; Two rental locations were secured and refurbished one campus in the North and the other in the South; A major obstacle – resistance from Serbian radical politicians in North Mitrovica – was surmounted Student interest has risen rapidly. Whilst an initial 20 students were admitted in March 2010, this increased to +/- 100 new enrolments in the academic year 2010 /2011. For the academic year 2011/2012, 119 students are enrolled

Phase 1 01.05.2012 - 31.12.2015   (Completed)