The Role of Peacebuilders in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in Kosovo Self-Legitimacy and Perceived Agency

Kosovo has been the focus of extensive peacebuilding efforts since the late 1990s, shaped by interethnic tensions, post-conflict recovery, and the prevention and countering of violent extremism (P/CVE). While research has often focused on institutional and policy-oriented aspects, comparatively little attention has been given to the perspectives of grassroots peacebuilders. This study examines how peacebuilders construct and maintain legitimacy within their communities and perceive their agency to contribute to national P/CVE objectives, with a particular focus on differences between two models: resident peacebuilding, in which practitioners live among community members and engage continuously, and outreach peacebuilding, in which organisations provide structured, short-term interventions.

Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 English-speaking peacebuilding professionals engaged at the community level. Reflexive thematic analysis identified recurring patterns in participants’ experiences, strategies, and perceptions.

Some of the key comparative findings show that legitimacy concerns and engagement strategies differ by peacebuilding model: resident peacebuilders experience greater pressure to maintain trust in small, tightly knit rural communities, while outreach peacebuilders face structured but less socially embedded challenges. Engagement with interethnic issues is shaped by context: resident peacebuilders are cautious due to social risks, whereas outreach teams engage directly with participants in targeted interventions. Perceived agency also varies, with outreach peacebuilders reporting more direct contributions to national P/CVE objectives, supported by higher subject-specific expertise and urban access to policy networks, while resident peacebuilders see their impact as gradual and indirect. Finally, peacebuilding modalities are context-dependent and complementary, with urban communities suited to short-term outreach initiatives and rural communities benefiting from long-term, embedded approaches. Across both models, legitimacy and perceived agency are closely tied to the chosen modality, highlighting how community immersion and context shape peacebuilding practices and outcomes.