Author: Aleksandra Vrbica

BIRN Kosovo Debate Discusses Missing Persons in Gjilan Region

Public debate following screening of film is part of eights such events organised across Kosovo focusing on missing persons from war.

On June 9, BIRN Kosovo screened a documentary in Gjilan, bringing renewed attention to the unresolved issue of persons who went missing during and after the Kosovo war. The film highlights the stories of missing persons and the decades-long efforts of their families to uncover the truth about the fate of their loved ones.

Produced as part of the EU-funded project, “Unveiling the Truth: Combating Monoethnic Journalism and Advocating for Missing Persons in Kosovo,” the documentary highlights the lasting impact of war crimes on families and communities across the region of Gjilan.

The screening is part of a broader series of eight documentary screenings that BIRN Kosovo is organising across eight regions of Kosovo. The initiative seeks to document the stories of missing persons, preserve historical memory, and create space for public and institutional dialogue on an issue that remains unresolved more than two decades after the war ended.

According to the documentary, about 50 people from the municipalities of Gjilan, Kamenica, Ranilug, Partesh and Viti remain missing from the war.

Behind each case stands a family still living with uncertainty, grief, and the enduring hope of learning the fate of their relatives. Although 27 years have passed since the end of the war, the issue of missing persons remains an open wound in Kosovo society. Families continue to seek justice, answers and accountability, while institutions face ongoing challenges in resolving the remaining cases.

Following the screening, a public discussion was held to address institutional challenges in the search for missing persons, the need for stronger inter-institutional cooperation, and the role of families and civil society in the pursuit of truth and justice.

The panel featured Ilir Morina, from the Special Prosecution Office, Kushtrim Gara, from the Government Commission on Missing Persons, Ditor Haliti, from the Institute of Forensic Medicine, and Kreshnik Gashi, from KALLXO.com.

Morina called on citizens to immediately notify the Kosovo Police if they come across human remains or bones that could potentially be linked to unresolved missing persons cases.

Gara emphasized that one of the main challenges remains obtaining reliable information, stressing that every piece of information received is treated as a priority by the responsible institutions.

Haliti highlighted the work of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, noting that cases involving missing persons continue to receive special attention and priority treatment.

Speaking about the documentary’s purpose, Gashi said the project aims to help the public understand that behind the figure of more than 1,500 missing persons are thousands of family members who continue to live with uncertainty and loss.

“We wanted people to understand that when they hear about missing persons, they are not simply hearing about 1,500 individuals. They are hearing about 1,500 families who cannot fully experience life’s joys because they are still waiting to learn the fate of their loved ones,” Gashi said.

The event was attended by 34 participants, including 17 women. Participants included civil society activists, journalists, professors, students, citizens, and family members of missing persons.

This event was organised in the framework of “Unveiling the Truth: Combating Monoethnic Journalism and Advocating for Missing Persons in Kosovo” project, funded by the European Union.

Kosovo Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence – Applications Open

BIRN Kosovo is pleased to announce the official launch of the second cycle of Kosovo Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence. The program is modeled after the renowned Balkan Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence, which has been supporting investigative journalism since 2007.

Funded by the European Union, the six-month fellowship offers a unique opportunity for 10 aspiring and mid-career journalists aged 18–35 to develop in-depth, high-quality investigative stories on issues of public interest.

Fellowship benefits:

  • €2,000 bursary to support the production of a long-form investigative article;
  • Professional editorial mentorship from award-winning BIRN Kosovo editors with long experience of investigative journalism;
  • Wide publication opportunities, including republication on leading BIRN platforms such as KALLXO.com or Prishtina Insight.

Topics of focus:

Fellows will investigate and write stories that explore critical issues, including:

  • Corruption and public procurement
  • Public spending and transparency
  • Environment, healthcare and education
  • Human rights (minorities, women, workers, LGBTI+ community)
  • Media financing and interethnic media cooperation

Fellows will produce one original investigative article in Albanian, Serbian, or English, and select the media outlet for publication. BIRN Kosovo will ensure the article reaches a broad audience through its partner platforms – KALLXO.com or Prishtina Insight.

Who can apply?

  • Journalists with at least three years of professional experience;
  • Applicants from broadcast, online, public, and private media outlets;
  • Journalists working in Albanian, Serbian, and minority languages are encouraged to apply;
  • Women and members of non-majority communities are strongly encouraged to apply. BIRN is committed to ensuring that at least 50% of selected fellows are women, and at least two fellowships will be awarded to journalists from non-majority communities.

Application details:

  • Deadline: Midnight, June 22, 2026
  • Submit to: [email protected]
  • Languages: Applications may be submitted in Albanian, Serbian, or English

For questions about the fellowship or the application process, please contact: [email protected] by June 14, 2026.

Application form in English

Application form in Albanian

Application form in Serbian

BIRN BiH and Faculty of Criminalistics Sign Cooperation Agreement

Agreement on scientific, educational and professional cooperation hailed as marking step forward for joint research and education.

On June 4, the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network of Bosnia and Herzegovina, BIRN BiH, and the Faculty of Criminalistics, Criminology and Security Studies, FKKSS, at the University of Sarajevo signed an agreement on scientific, educational, and professional cooperation, marking a step forward for joint research and education.

The agreement will establish a partnership between FKKSS and BIRN BiH in professional, educational, and scientific research fields. Among other activities aimed at strengthening cooperation in education and research, the agreement foresees jointly organising scientific research activities, conferences, symposia, seminars, workshops, as well as summer and winter schools.

The Dean of FKKSS, Jasmin Ahic, said the agreement is very important for the development not only of academic programmes but also of the faculty’s professional and specialized programmes. A particularly important aspect, according to him, relates to cooperation, especially with research centres dealing with specific areas in which the faculty has direct engagement.

“The segment related to the activities of law enforcement agencies, whether those focused on preventing or suppressing crime or addressing new and emerging phenomena within security challenges, and especially research centres, such as BIRN BiH/Detektor, allows us to say that the studies we conduct and the skills we provide to our future police, intelligence, and military professionals would not be complete without this component,” Ahic said.

Denis Dzidic, Director of BIRN BiH/Detektor, said the agreement represents an important step in strengthening cooperation between institutions and non-governmental organisations, and that joint efforts can contribute to the development and education of students.

“Through joint activities, we can provide opportunities for students and researchers and contribute to their development and education. Students will gain access to practical experience and the work of Detektor, and I expect that this cooperation will contribute to advancing the fields that the faculty focuses on, as well as investigative journalism in our country,” added Dzidic.

The agreement also includes joint projects in the areas of transitional justice, rule of law, extremism and the protection of human rights.

Violence Intervention through Safe and Informed media actiON – Western Balkans (VISION-WB)

BIRN Hub

Summary:

The project aims to strengthen regional responses to technology-facilitated violence against women (TF VAW) through research, multi-stakeholder roundtables, training and mentorship for media professionals and awareness campaigns across IPA-beneficiary countries. It will foster cross-sector

collaboration, build ethical and survivor-centered journalism capacities, and raise public awareness through monitoring, advocacy, and large-scale outreach.

Donor
UN Women through EU 4 Gender Equality: Women’s Economic Empowerment and Ending Violence against Women project, funded by European Commission

Overall Objective:

The overall objective is to strengthen regional response to technology-facilitated violence against women through ethical journalism and cross-sector collaboration.

Specific Objectives:

  • Strengthened cross-sectoral collaboration between media, civil society and institutions in addressing TF VAW;
  • Enhanced capacities of media professionals to identify, report on and counter TF VAW through ethical and survivor-centered journalism;
  • Increased public awareness and advocacy around TF VAW in Western Balkans

Target Groups

The project targets women journalists, survivors of gender-based violence and digital rights advocates, while engaging and increasing capacities of editors, journalists and media outlets.

Main Implementer
Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN Hub)

Partners
Kosovo Women’s Network

BIRN Albania

BIRN Bosnia and Herzegovina

BIRN Kosovo

BIRN North Macedonia

BIRN Montenegro

BIRN Serbia

 

BIRN Roundtable on Women’s Safety Online in Montenegro, Serbia

On June 2, BIRN organised a roundtable discussion on women’s safety in the digital space, bringing together representatives of civil society organisations, media, institutions and human rights advocates from Montenegro and Serbia.

Opening the event, Amina Mahovic, Digital Rights Programme Manager at BIRN, highlighted the importance of addressing digital violence against women in both countries and pointed to the rise in online threats, gender-based harassment, hate speech and the misuse of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, AI, to facilitate violence against women.

During the first session, monitors Tijana Uzelac from BIRN Serbia and Djurdja Radulovic from BIRN Hub presented key findings from the digital rights violations monitoring in Montenegro and Serbia.

The presentation highlighted trends and the disproportionate impact of digital violence on women participating in public life, including journalists, activists and politicians. The session included an overview of media reporting on these issues, examining how cases were covered and the dominant narratives used in reporting.

At an open discussion moderated by Jakov Ivanovic from BIRN Montenegro, speakers included Mirjana Mitic from ASTRA, Brankica Jankovic from EQUITAS – Centre for Policies and Human Rights, Jevrosima Pejovic, Member of Parliament of Montenegro, Neda Radovic, Director of the NGO Sistem, journalist Dragana Scepanovic and Nina Pavicevic from Kriticki platform.

Participants emphasized that online violence against women is often rooted in gender inequality and directed at women simply because they are women, regardless of their profession or social status. The discussion highlighted direct forms of online harassment, including threats and abusive messages, as well as gender-based attacks amplified through tabloids.

Participants addressed the growing misuse of AI tools to create manipulated or non-consensual content that targets, humiliates and intimidates women.

The discussion further examined institutional responses and the role of digital violence. Participants noted concerns with delays in investigations, inconsistent responses by authorities and the need for stronger legal and policy frameworks. Examples from across the region were presented to illustrate the challenges victims continue to face when seeking protection and accountability.

The roundtable concluded with a discussion on the need for stronger cooperation between institutions, civil society organisations, media and technology platforms to improve responses to online violence against women and enhance protection for victims.

This event is organised by BIRN in the framework of the “EU 4 Gender Equality: Women’s Economic Empowerment and Ending Violence against Women” regional programme, funded by the European Union and implemented jointly by UN Women and UNDP.

BIRN Contributor Barbara Matejcic Wins 2026 European Press ‘Special Prize’

Award presented in Lisbon for investigation ‘Killing for a Photograph’, described as ‘fascinating story that raises many previously unexplored questions’.

The award was presented in Lisbon as part of the European Press Prize, one of Europe’s most prestigious journalism awards. Each year, the jury grants the Special Prize to an outstanding project that transcends conventional categories and disciplines.

Matejcic’s investigation examines a photograph taken during 1993 in the war in Bosnia, in which a Belgrade photographer documented an execution from extremely close range.

Those images were distributed worldwide by Reuters and later won a World Press Photo award, becoming part of the visual record of the conflict. But for more than three decades, key questions surrounding the circumstances in which the photographs were taken remained largely unexplored.

How was the photographer able to capture the killing from such close proximity through a sequence of images? Did the presence of the camera influence what happened?

Drawing on nearly 30 firsthand sources, as well as court records and war crimes documentation, Matejcic reconstructs the events surrounding the photograph while confronting ethical questions that remained outside the frame. The article explores war, photography, accountability and the role of witnesses.

The jury described the investigation as “a fascinating story that raises many previously unexplored questions” and “a fantastic piece of journalism with perfect dramaturgy.”

“Killing for a Photograph” was also published in the Croatian weekly Novosti and generated significant regional attention. The investigation prompted extensive discussion among readers and within the professional communities of journalists, photographers, editors and researchers in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia. It has been widely regarded as one of the most important and thoroughly researched investigative stories produced in the Balkans in recent years.

One of the most significant outcomes of the investigation was the correction of a decades-long injustice toward the victim and his family.

After Matejcic contacted the World Press Photo Foundation and presented evidence gathered during her reporting, the foundation amended the original caption accompanying the photograph, which had incorrectly identified Husein Krša as a sniper for more than 30 years.

Following publication of the investigation, the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia, acting with the consent and at the request of Krsa’s family, initiated proceedings before the World Press Photo Foundation seeking the withdrawal of the photographer’s award. The process remains ongoing.

In May 2026, the investigation also received the prestigious Dejan Anastasijevic Award for the best investigative story published in Serbia during the previous year.

Deportation Investigation Published by BIRN Wins International Border Stories Prize

Awarded report reveals how Netherlands routinely deports homeless East Europeans despite existence of ‘borderless’ EU.

On May 29 in Gorizia, Italy, the investigation “The price of clean streets”, by Zuza Nazaruk, Willemijn Sneep and Andrada Lautaru, was awarded by Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli.

The awarded investigation, published by BIRN’s Reporting Democracy project, reveals how the Netherlands deports homeless Eastern Europeans.

Despite the idea of a borderless EU, enshrined in the free movement principles of the Schengen Area, EU citizens can still get deported from a host country, and this trend is on the rise, affecting mainly Poles and Romanians, the investigation revealed.

In 2024, 690 EU citizens were forced to leave the Netherlands, compared with only 290 in 2019, according to the Dutch Repatriation and Departure Service, DTenV.

The deportations – officially called “transfers” as they happen within EU borders – are decided on by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service, IND, and are based on a lack of lawful residence under EU law.

For the purpose of the investigation, the team spoke with migration lawyers; authorities in the Netherlands, Poland and Romania; labour and other experts; and foundations helping the unsheltered: Regenboog, Pauluskerk, Ontmoeting and Barka.

They accompanied the authorities on their monthly check-ups around Rotterdam, visited homeless shelters in the Netherlands and rehabilitation centres in Poland and Romania, interviewed over 30 former homeless people and five deportees, and reviewed three deportation notices.

The international jury awarding the International Border Stories Prize comprised the journalists and writers Marzio G. Mian, Fausto Biloslavo, Caterina Croce and Teresa O’Connell. They reviewed more than 60 journalistic investigations submitted from across Europe.

The awards were presented during the final event in the travelling series Stories of the Border / Border Stories.

The event, dedicated to presenting investigations awarded in the international journalism prize of the same name, is promoted by Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Sport of Italy’s Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and GECT GO/EZTS GO, with the support of Are We Europe.

BIRN Contributors Ana Curic, Maradia Tsaava Win International Border Stories Prize

On May 29 in Gorizia, Italy, the investigation ‘Follow the Money: Why the EU, Not China, Matters Most to Serbia and Georgia’, by Ana Curic and Maradia Tsaava, was awarded by Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli.

The awarded investigation published by BIRN reveals the true nature of the economic relationships between Serbia and Georgia, two EU candidate countries, and China, Russia and the European Union.

“Follow the Money: Why the EU, Not China, Matters Most to Serbia and Georgia” examines trade and investment flows between these countries from 2013 to 2023 and is based on official data from banking reports and national statistical offices.

Curic and Tsaava’s economic perspective through data dismantles widespread narratives and demonstrate the central role of the European Union in the economic balance of countries like Serbia and Georgia.

This is despite persistent narratives promoted by governments and pro-government media emphasising Chinese investments and shaping public opinion in ways not supported by the data, stated Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli.

“Working on this story was a great experience for me personally because I love data and following financial flows, and in this case, there was an official open data, which is actually rarely happening in our countries,” Curic said.

“We were analysing export and import data and the amount of investments coming from our targets – the EU, China and Russia – and towards them, and we could access and analyse official data on these lines.

“The trickiest financial line that we also had in mind, in order to analyse all money flows through official channels, was public debt; because of its complexity and methodology, it wasn’t easy to break data based on analysed countries and analysed period, so it was left out due to the impossibility to be fully precise,” Curic added.

The international jury, composed of journalists and writers Marzio G. Mian, Fausto Biloslavo, Caterina Croce, and Teresa O’Connell, reviewed more than 60 journalistic investigations submitted from across Europe.

“We are very happy being awarded the Border Stories Prize because this investigation was super important for us and everything that we’ve done as part of Spheres of Influence project. We are really grateful to the jury for recognising the international importance of this story that dismantles the stereotypes about Chinese and Russian influence in Serbia and Georgia that were developed with public officials’ narratives,” Curic said.

“It also shows the absolute economic dominance of the EU. For me, personally, it was a great achievement because it shows the power of data journalism in such a wide and at the same time very concrete field, under the phrase ‘follow the money’ and confronts with facts the perception of our countries, especially on the international level,” she concluded.

The awards were presented during the final event in the travelling series Stories of the Border / Border Stories. The meeting, dedicated to presenting investigations awarded in the international journalism prize of the same name, is promoted by Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Sport of Italy’s Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and GECT GO / EZTS GO, with the support of Are We Europe.

BIRN Albania Holds Training on Artificial Intelligence and Surveillance

On 29–30 May, BIRN Albania organised a two-day training in Durrës, bringing together 20 mid-career journalists from national media outlets to strengthen reporting skills on artificial intelligence, surveillance technologies and their growing impact on society.

The training was organised within the framework of the MATRA-supported project “Enhancing Cybersecurity, Data Protection and Resilience in Albania’s ICT Transformation” and forms part of BIRN Albania’s broader efforts to support journalists in navigating the rapidly evolving digital environment and reporting on emerging technological challenges affecting democratic societies.

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into public administration, business, media and everyday life, journalists face growing demands to understand how these technologies function, who develops and regulates them, and what risks and opportunities they create for citizens. At the same time, the expansion of surveillance capabilities and digital monitoring tools has raised important questions related to privacy, data protection, accountability and fundamental rights.

The sessions were led by Aleksandar Manasiev of NarrativAI and Aleksa Tesic of BIRN Serbia.

Manasiev focused on the development of artificial intelligence and the key issues journalists should understand when reporting on AI. Participants explored practical approaches to covering AI-related stories, including how to identify relevant actors, assess ethical and societal implications, understand regulatory developments and examine the impact of AI systems on different communities. The training also included practical guidance on the responsible and transparent use of AI tools in journalistic work.

Tesic introduced participants to recent developments in surveillance technologies, digital threats and monitoring practices. Through practical examples and case studies, journalists examined how surveillance tools are increasingly intersecting with issues of cybersecurity, human rights, privacy and media freedom, as well as how these topics can be investigated and reported in the public interest.

The training also provided a space for participants to discuss story ideas and reporting opportunities related to artificial intelligence, surveillance technologies and digital rights in Albania. As part of the project, participants will be invited to apply for a forthcoming BIRN Albania call for investigative story proposals focusing on the societal impact of emerging technologies, digital governance and information integrity.

By strengthening journalists’ understanding of these rapidly evolving issues, BIRN Albania aims to contribute to more informed public debate, greater accountability and stronger resilience against the risks associated with technological transformation.

BIRN Kosovo Debate Discusses Missing Persons in Peje Region

On May 29, BIRN Kosovo and ACDC organized its fifth documentary screening as part of a broader series of public discussions on transitional justice and missing persons in Kosovo.

This time, the documentary was screened in the Municipality of Peje/Pec, followed by a town hall debate on the challenges of missing persons from the Kosovo war from all communities.

Produced as part of the EU-funded project “Unveiling the Truth: Combating Monoethnic Journalism and Advocating for Missing Persons in Kosovo,” the documentary highlighted the lasting impact of war crimes on families and communities across Kosovo.

It included stories and testimonies from the families of missing people from the municipalities of Peje, Kline, Istog and Decan, and from representatives of relevant institutions addressing the grievances of the past in Kosovo.

Around 400 persons from Peje region are still listed as missing. Families are still in pain, waiting to find the truth about loved ones, two decades on.

A discussion followed the documentary screening, making this event part of a broader series of public discussions on transitional justice and missing persons in Kosovo.

This was moderated by BIRN Kosovo Executive Director and journalist Jeta Xharra and included representatives from Kosovo institutions. Panelists included Ilir Morina, from the Special Prosecution, Kushtrim Gara, from the Government Commission on Missing Persons, and Kreshnik Gashi, from KALLXO.com.

The panelists highlighted the importance of accountability and overall cooperation for the broader transitional justice process in Kosovo. Morina emphasized that information sharing by everyone but especially by the families of missing persons throughout the process is crucial in order to document testimonies that can be used in prosecuting war crimes.

The event was attended by 80 people, 47 of whom were women. Among the participants were students of the University of Peja “Haxhi Zeka”, law professors, citizens and family members of missing persons. All participants had the chance to ask questions directly to the panelists and understand more about the process of uncovering the truth on the issue of missing persons from the war.

This event was organised in the framework of “Unveiling the Truth: Combating Monoethnic Journalism and Advocating for Missing Persons in Kosovo” project, funded by the European Union.