People

Adelina began her career as an intern at KALLXO.com at the end of 2015 and within a few months was promoted to the position of a journalist.

Afrim Ejupi studied Management and Informatics at the University of Prishtina.

Aida joined BIRN in January 2020 and serves as the Head of Programmes based in Sarajevo. In this role, Aida oversees the smooth operation of the programme department, ensuring efficient implementation of BIRN’s programmes. Aida takes charge of planning, managing, and monitoring these programmes, working closely with programme staff, external consultants, implementing partners, and key stakeholders. Additionally, she actively develops partnerships with external stakeholders to enhance the organisation’s impact.

Aida joined BIRN BiH Detektor.ba team in April 2021. She is based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Aida joined BIRN Hub in 2021 as a Project/Programme Assistant. She is currently working as Grants and Project Coordinator, based in BIRN Hub’s office in Sarajevo. Her primary responsibilities entail coordinating and implementing project activities and overseeing and coordinating the grants allocation process.

Albulena Sadiku has a strong professional background in civil society and has spent 15 years working in media management, anti-corruption projects, capacity building, local government and production of field TV debates and reports.

Albulena studied Business Administration and is a member of the Institute of Accounting, Finance and Auditing.

Aleksandar Djordjevic has worked as a journalist since 2009, mainly covering politics and public finance.

Aleksandra Bogdani is an investigative journalist for BIRN Albania.

Alma Koci joined BIRN’s Balkan Transitional Justice team as a translator in December 2014.

Altin Morina has completed the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) training at the American University of Kosovo (AUK) and is pursuing his bachelor’s studies in Management and Informatics at ILIRIA College.

Amina has worked for BIRN HUB as a Project Manager since October 2022. She is based in BIRN HUB’s Sarajevo office, responsible for the smooth, uninterrupted implementation of Digital Rights projects.

Amra Šeta joined BIRN BIH in June 2023 year as a financial officer. She is based in BIRN Sarajevo office, providing support to operations. Her main responsibilities include regular financial analysis of project costs and a range of key administrative duties.

Ana Petruseva is an experienced journalist and one of the founders of the BIRN regional network and BIRN Macedonia.

Anisa joined BIRN BIH in June 2023 as Finance Manager. She is based in BIRN BiH’s Sarajevo office. Her main responsibilities include regular financial analysis of project costs, financial reporting and a range of key administrative duties.

Arbër Gashi is a graduate in Management and Informatics as well as Business Administration. He has several years of professional experience in the media, project management, business and marketing.

Ardita joined the BIRN team in October 2019.

Having fostered a passion for Information Technology since the age of nine, Arian Hyseni is accustomed to putting to use the latest innovations in the field.

Arita completed her Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy and Management with a sub-branch in International Relations at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT Kosovo).

Arjana Berisha is a student in the last year of her Bachelor of Journalism studies at the University of Prishtina.

Arlinda Mehmeti completed her master’s studies in Local Government and Democratic Society at the University of Gjilan.

Arta Sopi became part of the KALLXO.com team in November 2018. Before she joined BIRN, Arta worked at the newspaper Zeri, and prior to that she undertook an internship at the newspaper Koha Ditore.

Aulona is currently in her final year at the Faculty of Law of the University of Pristina, where she is studying criminal law.

Azem joined BIRN in 2022 as a correspondent from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Based in Sarajevo, he reports on daily developments for Balkan Insight and the Balkan Transitional Justice programme. He covers politics, rule of law and human rights, transitional justice, corruption and organised crime, producing in-depth analysis and features combining elements of data journalism and multimedia storytelling.

Detektor Journalist/Court MonitorAzra Husaric joined BIRN BiH team in October 2019 as a journalist and works as a court reporter.

Azra joined BIRN Hub in August 2014 as a Finance Assistant. In 2017, she became a Financial Officer.

Behar Mustafa is a court monitor and researcher working in the Mitrovica region and contributes as a journalist to the TV programme Justice in Kosovo.

Besar has extensive experience in journalism, having worked in print, television and electronic media in both the US and Albania since 2003.

Based in Warsaw, Claudia is reporting on political and social developments in Poland. Originally from Romania, she’s been based in Warsaw since 2012.

Denis Dzidic is the Executive Director and Editor for BIRN Bosnia and Herzegovina. He joined BIRN in August 2008, and after working as a journalist, deputy editor and chief editor for BIRN Bosnia and Herzegovina’s flagship website Detektor.ba he has been named Executive Director as of October 1, 2019.

Deniz is a cameraman and video editor for Kallxo.com and the BIRN TV programmes Life in Kosovo and Justice in Kosovo.

Diari was born in Norway, but he attended primary and secondary school in Peja. He completed his studies at the Faculty of Graphic Design and Visual Arts.

Donjeta Rexhbogaj is a law school graduate.

Dorentina is a journalist who joined KALLXO.com initially as an intern at the end of 2016.

Under Dragana’s leadership, BIRN Serbia has been recognised for its professionalism and its ability to influence the public agenda in the fields of media development and good governance.

Dunja Hadzimurtezic joined BIRN Hub in September 2018 as Project/Administrative Assistant. She is based in BIRN Hub’s Sarajevo office providing support to the regional Finances, Operations, Projects and Programmes.

Durim Shala is a Camera Operator and Video Editor for Life in Kosovo and Justice in Kosovo.

Dusica Stilic, based in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, is an experienced manager and trainer with knowledge and skills in business management, project cycle, human resources and public relations. She is one of the first regional employees of BIRN, joining the Network in 2006.

Dusica has been the Montenegrin correspondent based in Podgorica for BIRN’s regional publication Balkan Insight since 2013 and has been Balkan Insight Managing Editor since September 2018.

Dzana Brkanic, who joined the BIRN team in May 2013, has been working as a journalist since 2005 after beginning her career as a reporter for Radio Free Europe. Since December 2019 Brkanic acts as a Deputy Editor in BIRN BiH.

Based in Budapest, Edit is reporting about Hungary for the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network.

Since 2001 working as journalist and correspondent in many newspapers and media in Albania and from September 2018 started working for BIRN Albania covering mostly the justice reform and organised crime issues.

Edward Szekeres is a Reporting Democracy correspondent reporting from Bratislava, Slovakia, with an occasional scoop in Budapest, Hungary.

Egzon finished primary and secondary school in his hometown, Gjakova before beginning Journalism Studies at AAB College.

Eleni joined BIRN Hub in 2021 as a Communications Manager. She is a data journalist based in Athens, Greece.

Elma joined BIRN Hub in September 2022 as HR Officer. She is based in BIRN Hub’s Sarajevo office. Her main responsibilities is to ensure that the organisation can meet its objectives by having the workforce in place. She is involved in sourcing and planning the overall HR strategy and assist in creating and implementing HR policies and procedures.

Elma Selimovic joined BIRN BiH Detektor team in April 2013. She has worked as a journalist since 2006.

Emilija joined BIRN Hub in 2022 as a Social media Coordinator based in Skopje, North Macedonia.

Emily joined BIRN Hub in October 2022 as a Programme Manager and is based primarily between the UK and BIRN Hub’s Sarajevo office.

Emina joined BIRN BiH’s Detektor team in March 2014.

Emirjeta Vllahiu joined the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network in July 2018. She was initially engaged as an intern and currently is a junior journalist at KALLXO.com.

Enes joined BIRN BiH in May 2022 as a journalist/investigator. He is based in BIRN BiH’s Sarajevo office providing support to various projects.

Etlira Gjikopulli has been working as a Financial and Administrative Assistant for BIRN Albania since May 2014.

Fatrion Ibrahimi started his career as a camera operator at KTV in Prishtina in 2009, before working for four years as a freelancer in collaboration with various local and international productions.

Fjori joined Balkan Insight in February 2021 as a correspondent in Albania. She is based in Tirana and responsible for daily news as well as in-depth stories and analysis.

Gabrijela Vukicevic joined BIRN Serbia as finance officer in October 2016.

Gentiana joined BIRN Hub in September 2022 as a Programme Manager for Capacity Building and Strengthening of Independent Media. She is based in BIRN Hub’s Sarajevo office. Her main responsibilities include planning and designing the programme, proactively monitoring its progress, resolving issues, and initiating appropriate corrective actions. She ensures effective quality assurance and overall integrity of the programme.

Gjergj Erebara is journalist for the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, BIRN, in Albania.

Goce Trpkovski has been working as a journalist since 2004.

Founder of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) and Regional Network Director until May 2018.

Gyula is an editor working on investigative international projects with Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, based in Prague, the Czech Republic.

Hamdi Firat Buyuk is a political analyst who joined BIRN in 2016 as a correspondent and he has been covering Turkey and occasionally Bosnia and Sandzak region for Balkan Insight.

Haris has worked with BIRN Bosnia and Herzegovina since September 2016.

Based in Sarajevo’s BIRN Hub office, Hatidza manages media projects and oversees implementation activities, as well as the process of developing rulebooks, guidelines and modification of existing provisions. She also acts as a liaison for the Network in terms of capacity building.

Hysen has been taking care of the stage, lighting, and maintenance in BIRN Kosovo since 2011.

Ilirjana joined KALLXO.com initially as an intern in July of 2021 and is now working as a Junior Investigative Journalist.

Irvin joined Balkan Investigative Reporting Network in Bosnia, BIRN BiH, in December 2020.

Isa Vatovci has been part of the Kallxo.com team since September 2018.

Based in Sarajevo, Ivana assists with implementation of BIRN Hub’s programmes and provides day-to-day management of the monitoring and evaluation activities related to them, including working with programme staff, external consultants, implementing partners and key stakeholders.

Based in Belgrade, Ivana is an editor at Balkan Insight in charge of coordinating and working on investigative stories.

Ivana joined BIRN in 2020. Based in Serbia, she is responsible for managing and coordinating all activities within the BIRN Investigative Reporting Initiative programme, including BIRN Summer School of Investigative Reporting.

Jasna has worked at BIRN Macedonia since January 2016.

Jelena Veljkovic has worked as a journalist since 1992, mostly covering topics of politics, public finance, corruption and war crimes.

Jeta Xharra is a renowned journalist in Kosovo and Balkans, hosting the award-winning current-affairs TV programme, Life in Kosovo.

Jetlira is lawyer who graduated from the University of Prishtina. Currently following the “Master’s” studies in the Criminal Program.

Jetmir Hoxha was first hired as an intern in August 2019.

With international experience in media production, Jeton Ispahiu joined BIRN in 2008. He is responsible for providing video editing and final touches for the Life in Kosovo and Justice in Kosovo television programmes.

Based in Belgrade, Jovan is responsible for production of digital and social media content, developing new digital products and boosting the presence of BIRN Hub and its websites on a number of digital platforms.

She is working as a freelance graphic designer since 2010 and from November 2015 working for BIRN Albania.

Kalina Simic joined BIRN Serbia in August 2012 as a project manager.

Karla joined BIRN in 2021 to coordinate work of local media outlets in the region who write investigative stories using the Engagement Citizens’ Reporting tool.

Katarina joined the BIRN BiH team in October 2014.

Kristina Voko is the executive director of BIRN Albania and coordinates the network’s activities, fundraising and projects in the office in Tirana.

Labinot has monitored court sessions for BIRN Kosovo for almost two years.

Lada Vucenovic joined the BIRN Serbia team in January 2010.

Lamija Grebo joined BIRN BiH in January 2014 as a web archive assistant and intern. As of January 2015 she is working as a journalist for Detektor.

Based in Chisinau, Madalin Necsutu has been Balkan Insight’s correspondent from Moldova since 2017.

Maida joined BIRN Hub in January 2008 as a Financial Officer based in Sarajevo. Maida is responsible for cash flow management, monitoring daily financial operations, reviewing financial data and preparing monthly and annual reports as well as accountancy and auditing and overall communication with other departments and the staff of BIRN.

Marcus Tanner is Editor at Balkan Insight

Marian Chiriac has worked as a journalist since 1990, mainly covering politics and human rights issues.

Marija is a sales professional with a background in the media industry in Serbia and East Asia.

Marija Ristic is the executive director of Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, a network of seven non-governmental organisations promoting freedom of speech, human rights and democratic values in Southeast and Central Europe. Ristic oversees the activities and communications within the Network and represents it publicly.

Marija joined the BIRN team in September 2022 as a Project Manager for Business Development.

Matt Robinson is a journalist, translator and former Reuters Bureau Chief for the Balkans and Special Correspondent for Central and Eastern Europe.

As a researcher, Matteo works in BIRN’s Digital Rights Programme, focusing on tech implications for human rights and privacy in the Southeast and Central Europe region.

Matthew Collin is a journalist, broadcaster and author who has worked as a foreign correspondent for the BBC, Al Jazeera and Agence France-Presse.

Mediana is in the last year of her bachelor’s studies at the Department of Journalism at the University of Pristina. She joined the BIRN team in September 2019.

Based in Belgrade, Milica works on stories related to transitional justice in Serbia.

After working in different roles in BIRN from 2013, with some breaks, Milka assumed the role of Regional Director in December 2022.

Milorad is an editor at BIRN Serbia in Belgrade. He is also coordinator and trainer on the project “Technical Assistance to Public Service Media in the Western Balkans.”

Milos is BIRN’s long-time collaborator and author of BIRN’s flagship publication Balkan Insight. Over the last 15 years, he worked in various capacities with numerous regional CSOs and independent media outlets as a writer, journalist, educator, media and human rights activist.

She graduated from the Faculty of Economy in the Banking, Finance and Accounting department at the University of Pristina, and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree.

Minja joined BIRN BIH in January 2023 as Legal advisor.

Mirza joined BIRN BiH in 2022 as Video Editor.

Mirza joined BIRN BiH in March 2021. He has been a cameraman for 15 years in TV companies in Bosnia.

Naser joined BIRN in January 2016, after 16 years of experience as a journalist, translator, and editor at the daily newspaper Zeri.

During her journalism studies, Natatalija joined BIRN in 2015 as an intern working on media privatisation and public tenders for media. She graduated from the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Belgrade in 2016.

Based in Sarajevo, Nejra is working closely with project coordinator teams, carrying out and assisting in the implementation of programmes across all of Balkan Investigative Reporting Network’s platforms.

Nermina joined BIRN Bosnia and Herzegovina in August 2019.

Nermina Kuloglija-Zolj joined BIRN BiH in August 2019. For the last four years, she has been researching extremism, terrorism, genocide denial and corruption.

Nicholas was appointed editor of Reporting Democracy in 2020.

Nikola joined BIRN Hub in May 2015 as an Administration and Operations Assistant. He is based in BIRN Hub’s Sarajevo office and provides support to the regional operations. His main responsibilities include regular financial analysis of project costs and a vast range of key administrative duties. At the start of 2018, he became a part of the BIRN Hub’s HR department. From October 2022 he is acting as a Finance and Operations Manager.

Nino joined BIRN Hub in 2022 as a journalist. He is based in BIRN Hub’s Sarajevo office providing support to regional operations. His main responsibilities include following political, social and other important events, especially corruption and crime at government institutions and public companies.

Nuhi Shala joined BIRN in 2019 after 18 years of experience as an interpreter, administrative assistant and registrar with international missions in Kosovo.

Per is a Swedish aid worker. Since 2023 he has been working for Caritas Germany as Senior Humanitarian Advisor for Ukraine and Moldova. Previously, he was the Managing Director at NRC Flüchtlingshilfe Deutschland, which he joined in 2018.

Perparim Isufi joined BIRN Kosovo in May 2014 and currently serves as the managing editor of KALLXO.com.

Ramize has eight years of administrative assistance within BIRN Kosovo, helping the organisation smoothly carrying its daily activities.

Bob is a seasoned media veteran and Executive Director of World 50 Group, where he oversees content, programming and product strategy for the company.

Rrahman Ramaj is a financial analyst for BIRN Kosovo.

Samir is based in Podgorica and covers stories from Montenegro as well as parts of regional investigative stories.

Sasa joined BIRN in 2020 as a correspondent for Balkan Insight. Previously, he has worked for Balkan Insight from 2015 to 2016.

Semir Mujkic is managing editor for BIRN Bosnia and Herzegovina. He joined BIRN in April 2017 and has worked as a journalist and deputy editor for BIRN BiH website Detektor.ba where he is managing editor as of October 2019.

Serbeze Haxhiaj is covering issues related to establishing justice and
facilitating reconciliation after the 1998-1999 Kosovo war. Her
particular focus is on war crimes, human rights issues, rehabilitation of
victims and peace approaches in dealing with conflict and its aftermath.

On her path to becoming a journalist, Shkodranja took on an internship at KALLXO.com in July 2021, and has since been promoted to a Junior Investigative Journalist role.

Sinisa-Jakov Marusic is a Skopje-based journalist and regular contributor to BIRN’s regional publication, Balkan Insight, and the programme Balkan Transitional Justice.

She joined the BIRN team in 2014 and is responsible for both finance and administration jobs, producing finance reports, processing invoices and daily track of daily revenue and spending.

From 2002 to 2023 Steve worked for Human Rights Watch (UK director and UN advocacy director), Amnesty International (international advocacy director and Director of the Office of the Secretary General) and Freedom from Torture (policy and advocacy director).

Suela Beka joined the BIRN Kosovo team in July 2020.

Tamara Chausidis is experienced editor and media freedom activist.

Tanja Maksic has been a member of the BIRN Serbia team since 2010. She develops and manages projects in the field of media policy and good governance.

Tim is journalist and author and special correspondent for The Economist.

Based in Sarajevo, Tommaso joined BIRN in 2022. He is part of the Social Media team, taking care of BIRN’s social media channels in English.

Vaska joined BIRN Hub in September 2022 as a Development and Monitoring Officer. She is based in BIRN Hub’s Skopje office, providing support to regional operations. Her main responsibilities include leading and coordinating fundraising activities and designing project proposals for BIRN programmes. Responsible for developing and implementing the MEL activities, and quality control of programme/project progress reporting.

Vasko Magleshov is а journalist, anchor and TV host for more than 10 years.

Over the course of her journalism career, Vesna has worked with Politika, 4 Jul, YU Panorama, Revijalna Stampa, many local Serbian newspapers, and Croatian weekly Danas.

Visar started his career as a journalist at the “Kosova Sot” newspaper in 2007.

Vladimir has been an editor at the BIRN Albania (Court and Crime
Reporting) since June 2017.

Vlado has been covering topics related to organised crime, corruption and human rights for the last five years and at the beginnings of his journalism career he was working as a reporter in the economic newsrooms in several media.

Vuk Tesija joined BIRN Hub in February 2023 as a correspondent from Croatia.

Xheneta Murtezaj has been engaged as a journalist at KALLXO.com since July 2018, initially as an intern, and within a few months was promoted to the position of Junior Journalist.

Xhorxhina Bami reports on daily developments in Kosovo and also writes feature, analyses, reviews, interviews, and investigations. Originally from Albania, Xhorxhina been living in Kosovo since 2015.