The European Union has underlined the importance of building societal resilience against disinformation, extremism, and hybrid threats. For Kosovo and the wider Western Balkans, these challenges are compounded by fragile interethnic relations, contested statehood, and exposure to malign external influence.

The SMIDGE Project (Social Media Narratives: Addressing Extremism in Middle-Age), supported under Horizon Europe, provides new evidence on how disinformation and extremist narratives target citizens aged 45–65. This demographic is frequently overlooked in both research and practice, yet it plays a critical role in shaping public opinion, influencing intercommunal trust, and amplifying online content with offline consequences.

This roundtable, hosted by KCSS will bring together a select group of former and current security practitioners, representatives from EULEX and EU Office in Kosovo, and civil society, to discuss the implications of SMIDGE findings for Kosovo’s security environment and the wider Western Balkans. The aim is to translate research insights into potential practical responses for early warning, prevention, and inter-institutional cooperation.

Objectives

• Present SMIDGE findings relevant to the security sector in Kosovo and the Western Balkans.

• Facilitate practitioner-led discussion on operational challenges posed by extremist narratives and disinformation.

• Co-develop actionable recommendations for prevention, early-warning mechanisms, and coordinated responses.

• Strengthen cooperation between institutions, municipalities, and civil society to address online harms with offline impact.

Proposed Agenda

09:45-10:00 Coffee and registration

10:00-10:10 Welcome and Opening Remarks by Mentor Vrajolli, executive director of KCSS

10:10-10:30 Presentation of SMIDGE Findings from Dr Ramadan Ilazi, SMIDGE Project team leader at KCSS

10:30-11:00 Roundtable discussion moderated by Ms Jeta Loshaj, researcher at KCSS

11:00-11:30 Developing recommendations

11:30 Concluding remarks by Mr. Mentor Vrajolli

Expected Outcomes

• Improved understanding of the impact of extremist narratives on Kosovo’s security environment and wider Western Balkan context.

• Practitioner-driven recommendations on how to counter extremist narratives

• Fostered cooperation between state institutions and research community.

• Contribution to the EU’s broader objectives of fostering resilience, prevention, and countering hybrid threats in the Western Balkans.