As a crucial constitutive feature of modern democratic societies, concepts of civil society and civil societal action hold significant practical-political and scientific-theoretical importance for development cooperation and the stabilization of post-war societies. Gülcan Akkaya examines, using the example of Kosovo, to what extent the civil society factor has actually had an impact on establishing democratic conditions in a previously unstable society. The empirically obtained findings are related to the theoretical discussion and analyzed for their potential for the future work of NGOs. In her conclusion and outlook, the author formulates concrete action approaches for local NGOs in Kosovo, for international funding organizations, and for the local government. She advocates for a necessary strategy.