Balkan Investigative Reporting Network
Agron Halitaj has worked in journalism for over 20 years. He joined the BIRN team on February 1, 2024.
Throughout his career, he has worked as a political journalist and has held senior editorial positions in several media outlets in Kosovo. He is an opinion writer and an award-winning journalist. He defines the role of journalists in society with Frans Timmermans’ saying: “If journalists fall silent, our freedom is lost.”
Selma joined Detektor (BIRN BiH) team in November 2024 as a journalist and court monitor.
She has a Master’s degree in Communication Studies from the Faculty of Political Science in Sarajevo, during which she also spent some time on a student exchange program in Germany.
Selma began her journalism career in 2020 on Hayat TV as a journalist and reporter. She is one of the authors of the documentary film Golden Lilies.
During her studies, she worked on various projects and campaigns advocating for people with disabilities at the humanitarian and development NGO “People In Need” in the Czech Republic.
She has won journalism awards for topics such as “The Role of Media and Media Reporting in Peacebuilding” and for the best socially responsible story in the “Media Incubator” project in collaboration with the Goethe Institute, focusing on the economic empowerment of people with disabilities, caled “I can’t try if you don’t give me a chance”.
She is one of the authors of the story “Hands That Read”. In 2023, she won an award for the best journalistic story on Bosnia’s EU accession process, awarded by the Directorate for European Integration.
Her journalistic work is dedicated to reporting on human rights, especially people with disabilities and children, as well as war crimes in Bosnia and cybersecurity-related topics.
Mirza Halilcevic joined the BIRN BiH team in June 2024 as Project Manager.
In the last 10 years, he has worked in the field of human rights, writing and coordinating projects and reporting for several media outlets on the position of minorities in Bosnia, with a focus on LGBTIQA rights.
He has also gained experience in advocacy, fundraising, coordinating PR campaigns and event production.
He is a collaborator with several local and international organisations in Bosnia.
He completed his Bachelor and Master’s studies at the Faculty of Political Sciences in Sarajevo at the Department of Sociology.
At BIRN BiH, he manages projects in the field of rule of law, digital rights and transitional justice, as well as projects related to the strategic development of the BIRN BiH office.
Ivana joined BIRN in January 2024. She is responsible for the management, coordination and oversight of BIRN’s business operations, focusing on for-profit projects and activities implemented through BIRN Ltd, whose revenue feeds the campaigning needs of BIRN Hub.
Her professional path has been very interesting: from gaining a BA degree in journalism and an MA in Economic Analysis and Politics to working as an economic journalist, a deputy general manager at Business Info Group, publisher of the business news outlet Nova ekonomija, among other things, and now Head of Strategic Planning at BIRN Ltd.
Let’s meet her!
1. You graduated from the Department of Journalism and Communicology at the Faculty of Political Sciences in Belgrade. After that, you were awarded an MA in Economic Analysis and Politics at the Faculty of Economics. What attracted you to this economic aspect?
Money makes the world go round. Once you understand where the money flows and where it comes from, it’s easier to grasp how processes in society work.
Economic journalism is challenging because you often need to break down complex and sometimes boring topics, and make them interesting and easy to understand for everyone, both regular readers and fellow journalists. To do that well, you need to keep learning and stay up to date.
That said, covering economic topics is also a privilege. I’ve had the chance to meet people whose business ideas are changing the world, who are not only feeding their own families but providing for hundreds of others. These are the people whose decisions can shape your future, your community, and even the world.
That said, I’m not here to back big corporations or wealthy capital owners. I believe in business models that give workers both responsibilities and rights. Workers should have a chance to use their creativity, ideas and knowledge to make new products and earn more and also have more time for their personal lives. I support an egalitarian-liberal approach where the state and companies support vulnerable groups – those who are sick, disabled, or unable to work fully due to life’s circumstances.
2. Can you explain what BIRN Ltd is?
BIRN Ltd is the commercial side of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN). It was founded in 2007 to develop and manage commercial products that support BIRN’s editorial and campaigning work, like the Balkan Insight news portal.
BIRN Ltd handles the paid services that Balkan Insight offers, which fall into two main areas. First, there’s the editorial content, which includes analysis, commentary, interviews, and profiles on the latest political and business developments in the region. Then there’s the consultancy side, where our analysts track and analyze political, economic, security, social and human rights issues in the region, including the influence of foreign powers. One of our key consultancy products is the Western Balkans Stability Monitor, which has been running since December 2018.
3. Who are the users and subscribers to these paid services and consultancy products?
Our subscribers are all personally or professionally connected to the Balkans – students, diplomats, the donor community, the corporate sector, top universities around the world, and more.
BIRN Consultancy offers analysis, advice, and corporate investigation services with a focus on the Balkans.
We give our clients detailed insights into political, security and economic developments across the region, whether for the whole of the Balkans or specific countries. Everything is customized to their needs. With a network of analysts embedded throughout the region, we’re always plugged into the latest information at its source. This means we don’t just explain what’s happening; we also help our clients understand the risks and opportunities ahead.
4. What are your favourite – and least favourite – parts of being Head of Strategic Planning at BIRN Ltd?
One of the biggest challenges is figuring out how to ensure the long-term sustainability of our organisation and to invest more in journalism. Every day brings new uncertainties, especially with things like the rise of “foreign agent” laws across Europe. Authoritarian governments use these to discredit independent media; they’re a real threat to democracy, media freedom and civil society.
On the flip side, it’s a privilege to promote and support top-notch investigative and analytical journalism in the Balkans. Just mentioning BIRN is enough to make people stand up and recognise its importance. If you want to learn more about the Balkans, BIRN is the first choice for anyone, no matter where they are in the world.
5. What are the plans for BIRN Ltd?
The premium service we offer is helping us make Balkan Insight more sustainable. But we’re not stopping there, we want to keep growing. We plan to expand our consultancy offerings, improve our subscription system and grow our reader base. We also want to introduce more consultancy products to better meet the needs of our clients all over the world and provide a stable income for our work.
On December 30, BIRN Montenegro urged the country’s Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (ASK) to enhance oversight of public officials’ ownership of cryptocurrencies and other digital assets.
In a formal initiative addressed to the Agency’s Council and its interim director, Dušan Drakić, BIRN Montenegro raised concerns about the lack of available information on the value of digital assets in public officials’ asset declarations.
“Given the increasing popularity of cryptocurrencies among public officials and their potential as an effective mechanism to conceal assets, we call on the Agency’s Council to organise a thematic session with Agency staff and other stakeholders as soon as possible. The aim is to improve this area before the deadline for submitting annual reports on the income and assets of public officials,” the initiative stated.
BIRN Montenegro has called for the introduction of a specific section titled “Digital Assets” in officials’ asset declaration forms, requiring them to disclose the type, name, quantity and market value of any cryptocurrencies they own.
The initiative would require officials to provide statements from all digital wallets they hold and stipulate proceedings against officials who fail to report digital assets, as mandated by the Law on Prevention of Corruption.
BIRN Montenegro called on the Agency to publish detailed reports on the types, quantities and values of digital assets owned by public officials after the completion of these procedures.
BIRN Montenegro’s analysis of the asset declarations of six public officials revealed that only Deputy Prime Minister Niko Gjeloshaj provided precise information about the value of his assets.
Prime Minister Milojko Spajic, Minister of Spatial Planning, Urbanism, and State Assets Slaven Radunovic, Minister of Mining, Oil, and Gas Admir Sahmanovic, and the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Branko Krvavac, failed to specify the types or quantities of cryptocurrencies they own.
Opposition MP Illir Capuni disclosed the type of cryptocurrency he owns but not its quantity.
BIRN Montenegro emphasized the need for reforms to ensure transparency and accountability in the declaration of digital assets, to prevent the misuse of cryptocurrencies by public officials to conceal their assets.
On December 23, BIRN Macedonia’s team met with experts and government representatives to discuss digital rights in the country.
At the consultative meeting, BIRN’s senior journalist, Goce Trpkovski, presented recommendations based on findings from a two-year monitoring period.
Trpkovski showcased the most significant violations of digital rights and the patterns that have emerged, noting that BIRN recorded 501 violations from 2022 until the end of 2024, including hate speech, crypto currency scams and misuse of AI to create fake sexual content of girls.
Trpkovski presented BIRN’s recommendations for improving the digital rights situation in three categories: urgent, medium-term and long-term recommendations.
BIRN received feedback from a number of experts from the non-governmental sector, including the Research Institute RESIS, Internet Governance Forum, Media Development Center, Helsinki Committee of Human Rights, Metamorphosis foundation, as well as from the Personal Data Protection Agency, the sector for cybercrime within the police.
BIRN Kosovo organised one-day trainings over December in Prishtina, Prizren, Mitrovica, Gjilan and Ferizaj for journalists, public relations officers and influencers on property rights and procedures for property registration.
During December, 80 participants have taken part in the five municipalities.
The first part of the training addressed common property problems and the legal bases that regulate property issues.
The second part of the training focused on changes to the Cadastre Law and the management of Cadastre Offices, the right of access to property information and the provision of information on property matters relating to the Law on Privacy and the Law on Cadastre.
Session leaders were Kreshnik Gashi, editor-in-chief at KALLXO.com and Labinot Leposhtica, a legal expert.
BIRN will hold similar trainings in Peja and Gjakova over December.
The sessions are aimed at developing the capacity of journalists, influencers and local media – including editors and public relations officers as well as communication officers – on the new Law on Cadastre, contracts for the purchase and sale of movable real estate, the procedures for property registration and reporting on these issues.
This activity is part of the Public Information and Awareness Services for Vulnerable Communities in Kosovo PIAKOS project, in which BIRN acts as a co-implementing party.
The project is financed by the World Bank/State and Peace Building Trust Fund.
The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) is pleased to announce that it is seeking a journalist or editor for an additional place on its exclusive one-month regional exchange programme.
This call invites journalists and editors from Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia) to apply and take part in the exchange in Montenegro. The programme offers a unique opportunity for participants to familiarize themselves with different newsrooms across the region, enabling them to acquire new skills and expertise in investigative news production while fostering knowledge exchange among their peers.
ABOUT THE EXCHANGE PROGRAMME
The One-Month Regional Exchange Programme is a capacity-building opportunity for media, editors and journalists from the Western Balkans to facilitate the production of quality news and an investigative production environment, enabling both parties to engage in knowledge exchange, comprehensive mentoring and cross-border approaches.
WHO IS IT DESIGNED FOR?
The exchange programme is designed for both media and editors/journalists from the Western Balkan countries. It creates opportunities for the host media to share their knowledge with colleagues from other media in the Western Balkan region. It provides an opportunity for editors/journalists to spend one month immersed in a host media distinct from their country of origin while at the same time working together.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Journalists/editors from five (5) Western Balkan countries may apply to this call.
To apply for the programme, they must meet the following criteria:
1. Be a resident of one of the five Western Balkans countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia).
2. Have at least three years track record of working in journalism sector.
3. Demonstrate a strong motivation and commitment to participation in the exchange programme.
4. Availability to spend one month in a host media located in Montenegro, distinct from her/his country of residence, in 2025.
Within this call, one (1) journalist/editor will be selected in accordance with the predefined selection criteria and will have an opportunity to work with the Centar za istraživačko novinarstvo Crne Gore (Centre for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro – CIN CG), which is the host media for this call.
BENEFITS AND LOGISTICS FOR THE JOURNALISTS/EDITORS
BIRN will cover the travel, accommodation, and bursary costs for the selected journalists/editors.
HOW TO APPLY?
Please share your interest through filling in the application form in English language by January 16 (Thursday).
More information about the call can be found here.
Anti-Corruption Committee holds hearing with minister and energy company heads to discuss report’s key findings.
On December 18, BIRN Montenegro presented its monitoring report on the expenditure of funds in state-owned energy companies to parliament’s Anti-Corruption Committee.
Based on the report, the committee organised a hearing with the Minister of Energy, Sasa Mujovic, and with the heads of state-owned energy companies: Montenegrin Electric Power Company, EPCG, Montenegrin Electricity Distribution System, CEDIS, Montenegrin Electricity Transmission System, EPCG, the Coal Mine Pljevlja and EPCG – Steel Plant Niksic.
The committee adopted a conclusion urging all the energy companies to implement more reforms, invest in modernization and renewable energy and pursue innovative projects while emphasizing transparency, accountability and anti-corruption mechanisms.
BIRN Montenegro director Vuk Maras said that state-owned power companies have demonstrated a lack of transparency in their hiring practices and in the allocation of donations and sponsorships.
“In monitored state-owned companies, employment increased by 1,500 workers between 2021 and 2023, while annual salary expenses rose from €73 million to €115 million.
“Sponsorships and donations, which stood at €929,000 in 2019 and 2020, jumped to €1.4 million in 2021 and €1.9 million in 2022,” Maras said.
Minister of Energy Sasa Mujovic called the BIRN report a good basis for analyzing the operations of state-owned companies, urging managements to demonstrate greater transparency and control expenses related to donations and sponsorships.
The minister said he had forwarded some of BIRN’s recommendations to the managements of state-owned companies.
New report looks at national counter-terrorism strategy and assesses whether early intervention mechanisms are working.
The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network in Kosovo, BIRN Kosovo, has published a new report, “Challenges of Terrorism Prevention Mechanisms in Kosovo”, presenting Kosovo’s problems in preventing and combating extremism and terrorism.
The analysis is supported by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, GCERF, as part of the Resilient and Inclusive Community Programme.
The report looks at implementation of the national strategy and examines the development of an early intervention system to protect individuals at risk of radicalization and assesses the impact of government and non-government efforts in preventing violent extremism.
The findings of the report are the result of six months of research and monitoring work in 26 municipalities, including interviews with relevant stakeholders in Kosovo.
Speakers at the launch were: Xhelal Sveçla, Minister of Interior and National Coordinator for the State Strategy for Preventing and Combating Terrorism; Khalid Koser, founder and director of the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, GCERF, Kreshnik Gashi, editor-in-chief of KALLXO.com, and Labinot Leposhtica.
“Kosovo has joined global coalitions in combating terrorism. Kosovo has taken responsibility for repatriating individuals from Syria, rehabilitating them, and reintegrating them into society. One of the main pillars of our five-year strategy 2023-2028 is the inclusion of local mechanisms and civil society,” Sveçla said.
Koser of GCERF complimented the methods used for the report, such as surveys and interviews, saying: “I believe the methodology makes this a legitimate report that we should take seriously.”
Gashi, editor at Kallxo.com, highlighted the importance of cooperation between civil society and the government in achieving meaningful implementation of the strategy as well as the impact of concrete actions and measures on progressing the situation in Kosovo.
The author of the report, Labiot Leposhtica, noted: “The majority of municipalities, 20 out of 26, reported serious problems in understanding the strategic document (National Strategy). This is a significant issue because the consequences are collateral.”
The 60 participants at the event, 19 of whom were women, included individuals from both central and local government, experts, diplomats, members of religious communities and media representatives.
The report is accessible online here:
AL: Sfidat e mekanizmave të parandalimit të terrorizmit në Kosovë
SRB: Izazovi mehanizma za suzbijanje terorizma na Kosovu
ENG: Challenges of Terrorism Prevention Mechanisms in Kosovo
This activity formed part of the Resilient and Inclusive Community Programme, funded by GCERF.
