Foundation 17 is a non-governmental organisation from Kosovo initiated by activists Nita Zeqiri and Ajete Kerqeli. Their cooperation initially started as a collaboration for creating visual and intellectual artistic work that explores psychological and social perspective through video-experimental art. They had ideas and motivation, but although these two elements were important, they were not enough: the activists needed support in terms of more collaborators, funds and – most importantly – working and exhibition space. As they were aware that these problems were faced by most artists in Kosovo, they decided to start an initiative that would help not only themselves, but also the Kosovan cultural scene in general.
As they were beginners in this business and it was difficult to get funds from donors, they decided to rent and refurbish a space with the funds from their own savings, and launched a project space which is open also to other artists and organisations.
“Foundation 17 seeks to foster positive change in society by empowering communities through cultural activism.”
Liri Hashani, social media and outreach coordinator, Foundation 17
Liri Hashani joined Foundation 17 three months after the launch of Project Space 17, initially as a project space assistant later promoted to be social media and outreach coordinator. She explains that the organisation was built on the personal experience of the founders and the need to restore the function of alternative public spaces. In addition, they believed that art and culture are means that can be used to initiate important social change. As Liri summarises it, “Foundation 17 seeks to foster positive change in society by empowering communities through cultural activism”.
Since their launch in 2018, the organisation has implemented a number of projects by bringing together new ideas from people of different backgrounds and professions, by uniting art, touching on different social issues and trying to engage young people in different forms.
One of their programmes is Metamorphosis, which aims to bring arts and culture into dialogue in order to discuss the importance of using public space. By reviving and revitalising abandoned buildings even if for a single day, the goal is to document the collective memory of a past that is rarely talked about, and to address the use of public space for the benefit of the community. So far, they have intervened in four abandoned spaces where they had direct artistic interventions but also produced publications that present and analyse the connection between buildings, monuments and public awareness.
Another programme is Galeria 17 where they have rented and revitalised an old car mechanic workshop, turning it into a permanent art exhibition space through a crowdfunding campaign with the support of the artistic community. With a distinct focus on social issues, artists and curators in Galeria 17 experiment with concepts, ideas and space.
“The EU support was very helpful, because it enabled me to improve my skills but also enabled me to see another perspective on how social media should be coordinated. “
Liri Hashani, social media and outreach coordinator, Foundation 17
However, the organisation has also had support from international donors in implementing their programmes and upgrading their management and administration capacities. One of the projects that supported them was the EU’s Technical Assistance to Civil Society Organisations in the Western Balkans and Turkey (EU TACSO). Liri explains that they had had regular communication activities, however, they were still working to upgrade their social media strategy, and this was her first job as a social media coordinator. EU TACSO supported Liri with training which was followed up by one-to-one coaching. “The EU support was very helpful, because it enabled me to improve my skills but also enabled me to see another perspective on how social media should be coordinated,” says Liri.
About the project
EU TACSO is a regional project, funded by the European Union, that improves the capacity and role of civil society organisations (CSOs). The project assists CSOs to take an active part in democratic processes in the region, and stimulates an enabling environment for civil society and pluralistic media development.
The project works in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey. The EU TACSO project is a part of the Civil Society Facility EU mechanism that provides support to CSOs in those countries that are not yet part of the EU. CSOs play an important role for the EU as key actors in supporting their countries’ accession process.
Photo credits: Foundation 17
As they were beginners in this business and it was difficult to get funds from donors, they decided to rent and refurbish a space with the funds from their own savings, and launched a project space which is open also to other artists and organisations.
Liri Hashani joined Foundation 17 three months after the launch of Project Space 17, initially as a project space assistant later promoted to be social media and outreach coordinator. She explains that the organisation was built on the personal experience of the founders and the need to restore the function of alternative public spaces. In addition, they believed that art and culture are means that can be used to initiate important social change. As Liri summarises it, “Foundation 17 seeks to foster positive change in society by empowering communities through cultural activism”.
Since their launch in 2018, the organisation has implemented a number of projects by bringing together new ideas from people of different backgrounds and professions, by uniting art, touching on different social issues and trying to engage young people in different forms.
One of their programmes is Metamorphosis, which aims to bring arts and culture into dialogue in order to discuss the importance of using public space. By reviving and revitalising abandoned buildings even if for a single day, the goal is to document the collective memory of a past that is rarely talked about, and to address the use of public space for the benefit of the community. So far, they have intervened in four abandoned spaces where they had direct artistic interventions but also produced publications that present and analyse the connection between buildings, monuments and public awareness.
Another programme is Galeria 17 where they have rented and revitalised an old car mechanic workshop, turning it into a permanent art exhibition space through a crowdfunding campaign with the support of the artistic community. With a distinct focus on social issues, artists and curators in Galeria 17 experiment with concepts, ideas and space.
However, the organisation has also had support from international donors in implementing their programmes and upgrading their management and administration capacities. One of the projects that supported them was the EU’s Technical Assistance to Civil Society Organisations in the Western Balkans and Turkey (EU TACSO). Liri explains that they had had regular communication activities, however, they were still working to upgrade their social media strategy, and this was her first job as a social media coordinator. EU TACSO supported Liri with training which was followed up by one-to-one coaching. “The EU support was very helpful, because it enabled me to improve my skills but also enabled me to see another perspective on how social media should be coordinated,” says Liri.
About the project
EU TACSO is a regional project, funded by the European Union, that improves the capacity and role of civil society organisations (CSOs). The project assists CSOs to take an active part in democratic processes in the region, and stimulates an enabling environment for civil society and pluralistic media development.
The project works in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey. The EU TACSO project is a part of the Civil Society Facility EU mechanism that provides support to CSOs in those countries that are not yet part of the EU. CSOs play an important role for the EU as key actors in supporting their countries’ accession process.
Photo credits: Foundation 17
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