FAQ

What is CSSP?
CSSP is a Berlin-based conflict resolution project financed by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Auswärtiges Amt) at the request of the German Parliament (Deutscher Bundestag). At the end of 2004, various leaders in Germany asked Dr. Schwarz-Schilling and his mediation team if there were any lessons learned in Bosnia and Herzegovina which were useful for other areas, specifically in South Eastern Europe. CSSP started as a three year pilot project to work in the areas of Bosnia, Kosovo and Macedonia (FYROM) promoting the use of mediation to find local solutions to local problems. Since then the team founded the CSSP e.V as a non-profit, non-partisan NGO promoting interethnic mediation and dialogue in conflict areas.


What is your Mandate?
CSSP does not have an official international mandate. Our mandate is derived from the decision of the German Parliament (Deutscher Bundestag) in 2004 requesting for CSSP to continue its mediation work in South Eastern Europe. Due to CSSP’s firm belief that mediation mandates must derive from the mediation partners, a prerequisite was the consent of the governments of the region and more importantly the consent of the municipal conflict parties' participating in our activities. Both these mandates were achieved at the beginning of 2005 and endorsed by international organizations (UNMIK and OSCE). Each year CSSP meets with international organization and national government leaders and informally reconfirms its mandate in the region. More important is the mandate to conduct its activities in local communities. These mandates are derived from local leaders. CSSP does not work in any area before getting approval of local leaders.

With support of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Auswärtiges Amt) we now work in Serbia, Macedonia (FYROM), Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In these areas we support peace building initiatives on the local (municipal) level through Integrative Mediation in close cooperation with the respective governments and international structures (UNMIK, OSCE, OHR etc.). Our mission is to bring local leaders together to discuss and solve disputes within the local communities.


Where do you work?
CSSP's main areas of activities are Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia (FYROM) and Serbia. When the needs arise or a request is made, we have undertaken other initiatives within the South Eastern European region. Additionally, we have on occasion worked in other regions on an ad hoc basis. Depending on the nature of the request and available funding, CSSP is willing to assess its possible contribution in other areas.


What happened to the Office of the International Mediator in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
The mandate terminated officially in December 2004. Currently, CSSP is preparing the handover of mediation knowledge and documents to institutions like the State Archive of BaH and the University of Sarajevo, as well as to the German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt).


Do you work for the German Government?
CSSP does not work for the German Government. However, it is financed by the German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt), and it receives logistical and structural support from the German Parliament (Deutscher Bundestag) due to its decision to support our activities. As Dr. Christian Schwarz-Schilling was ten years a federal minister in the German government (1982-1992) and 26 years a member of the German Bundestag, our relationship with both institutions is very close.


How does Integrative Mediation differ from the mediation of the International Mediator in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
CSSP is based on team mediation and training on the grassroots level. We use six elements to solve local problems and build capacities for mediation. It evolved out of the work of the International Mediator in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dr. Christian Schwarz-Schilling, who was appointed with an international mandate. His work was based on the idea that a high profile international representative could resolve problems through classical mediation. The prestige of the International Mediator and his international status facilitated breakthroughs in the mediation process and allowed for high visibility in the media. This is known in academic circles as the eminent mediator model. While the International Mediator model was very successful in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it was based on a unique set of circumstances that cannot always be recreated. Therefore, CSSP is working to build on the lessons learned from the eminent mediator model.


What is your organizational structure?
CSSP is composed of six persons and endorses team mediation. We are based in Berlin, Germany, and do not have field offices. We have a network of cooperating partners in the countries we work in.


Why don't you have field offices?
CSSP is based in Berlin, Germany. We do not have field offices because firstly, our experience after 10 years in Bosnia and Herzegovina showed us that a permanent presence in a conflict area makes it more difficult to remain neutral and focused. Secondly, we cannot provide for permanent field offices in our areas of activities due to financial reasons. We work with a strong network of local and international individuals and organizations.