News and Events Archives - Page 2 of 264

BIRN Kosovo Debates Missing People in Gjakova Region

On May 22, BIRN Kosovo and ACDC premiered a documentary on missing people in the Gjakova region and held a public discussion in Gjakova to explore challenges in the issue of missing people from the Kosovo war and the role of justice in the process.

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 and included stories and testimonies coming from the families of missing people from the Municipalities of Gjakova, Rahovec and Malisheva, from activists and representatives of institutions that deal with the grievances of the past in Kosovo.

A public discussion followed the documentary screening, making this event part of a broader series of public discussions on transitional justice and missing persons in Kosovo. According to the data and testimonies presented, this region was one of the most badly destroyed regions in the country, with the highest number of victims, property damage and other losses. This discussion was moderated by BIRN Kosovo Executive Director and journalist Jeta Xharra.

Panelists included Ilir Morina, from the Special Prosecution, Arsim Gerxhaliu, from the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Teki Bokshi, a lawyer, Selami Hoti, an activist, and Kreshnik Gashi, from KALLXO.com.

Ilir Morina informed the audience that the State Prosecution has conducted dozens of investigative activities in the region and an indictment is currently taking place. Arsim Gerxhaliu raised a concern that during his long career in this field he has encountered many family members who had paid a lot to supposedly receive information about the fate of their missing, which turned out only to be schemes for profit coming from individuals and small interest groups unrelated to the matter, using the pain of family members for their own profit. Lawyer Teki Bokshi said the actual number of missing people in Kosovo (1,560) serves as proof that state institutions failed to resolve this matter, 27 years after the war ended in Kosovo.

Selami Hoti, a lifelong activist from the Krusha region, called for more institutional support for the families of missing people. Kreshnik Gashi from KALLXO.COM emphasized the crucial importance of information sharing in this process. All the panelists and participants urged the political level to do more.

The event was attended by 63 participants, 41 of whom were women. Participants included representatives from local authorities in the Municipality of Gjakova, civil society activists, victims’ associations and students

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

Apply Now: Call For Proposals For Journalists From Montenegro and Kosovo

Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, BIRN, has launched an open call for independent journalists in Kosovo and Montenegro to apply for anti-corruption reporting grants under the project Society Against Corruption in Montenegro and Kosovo.

The initiative supports in-depth investigations and multimedia stories focused on corruption, accountability and governance in sectors such as healthcare, education and the environment.

Selected journalists will receive grants of up to $1,500, alongside mentoring and technical support from BIRN editors and experts. Projects should highlight systemic corruption issues affecting local communities and contribute to greater public awareness, transparency and institutional accountability.

The call is open to independent journalists with 3–5 years of professional experience who are citizens or residents of Kosovo or Montenegro. Applicants must submit one story proposal in English, a CV, and a letter of support from the media outlet where the story will be published.

📅 Application deadline: 7 June 2026
📍 Project duration: Up to 3 months (starting June 2026)
📧 Applications: [email protected]

Read the full call and application details HERE.

BIRN Kosovo Premieres Documentary on Missing Persons From Prizren Region

On May 22, BIRN Kosovo and ACDC premiered a documentary on missing people, followed by a panel discussion that highlighted the challenges on 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 and included stories and testimonies from the families of missing people from the municipalities of Prizren, Suhareka, Dragash and Mamusha and from representatives of relevant institutions addressing the grievances of the past in Kosovo.

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.

According to the data presented, 1,560 persons remain missing in Kosovo, including 280 people from this region. This discussion was moderated by BIRN Kosovo Executive Director and journalist Jeta Xharra and included representatives from Kosovo institutions and civil society organisations involved in the process.

Panelists included Ilir Morina, from the Special Prosecution, Kushtrim Gara, from the Government Commission on Missing Persons, Ditor Haliti, from the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Agron Limani, an activist from the Krusha region, Aleksandar Rapajic, ACDC, and Kreshnik Gashi, from KALLXO.com.

The panelists highlighted the importance of accountability and overall cooperation for the broader transitional justice process in Kosovo. Information sharing by the families of missing persons throughout the process is crucial, especially given that some family members in the Prizren region refuse to provide any DNA data to the relevant authorities.

IML representative Ditor Haliti emphasized the importance of information sharing, especially coming from the families of missing people which, for any piece of information they possess, should approach Kosovo institutions.

All the panelists highly evaluated the impact of such activities conducted by BIRN Kosovo and ACDC since they serve also as a joint call to all communities in Kosovo to come together and do their part, also calling for the political level to do more.

The event was attended by 93 participants, of whom 63 were women. Participants included representatives from local authorities in the Municipality of Prizren, activists, members of academia, students, and family members of persons missing 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.

BIRN Awards Grants to 20 Journalists Through MOST Project

Through the Media Organisations for Stronger Transnational Journalism (MOST) project, BIRN has awarded grants to 20 journalists to produce investigative stories addressing key issues across Europe.

The Media Organisations for Stronger Transnational Journalism (MOST) project aims to strengthen investigative reporting and cross-border collaboration by supporting journalists working on critical social, political and economic topics.

Through the project, BIRN awarded grants to 20 journalists, selected through three rounds of an open call.

Each selected journalist received financial support of €1,140 along with editorial mentoring provided by experienced editors from BIRN. The supported projects are implemented over a period of three to six months, allowing journalists to develop in-depth investigative stories.

First Round of Grants

The following journalists were selected in the first round:

Kristina Bohmer (Slovakia)
Seda Karatabanoglu (France)
Laura Carrer (Italy)
Stefania D’Ignoti (Italy)
Clémentine Méténier (France)
Harun Dinarević (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Ana Ćurić (Serbia)

Second Round of Grants

The following journalists were selected in the second round:

Zhaoyin Feng (Netherlands)
Alina Yanchur (Poland)
Stavros Malichudis (Greece)
Siarhei Kuzniatsou (Lithuania)
Marta Abbà (Italy)
Tomislav Kukec (Croatia)
Dejan Rakita (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Third Round of Grants

The following journalists were selected in the third and final round:

Sergei Panov (Spain)
Wouter Massink (Turkey)
Nemanja Marinović (Serbia)
Maja Boričić (Montenegro)
Đurđa Radulović (Montenegro)
Ersan Pajaziti (North Macedonia)

Supporting Investigative Journalism Across Europe

The selected journalists produce investigative stories that contribute to a better understanding of key developments across EU and EU-aspiring countries, with a focus on underreported issues and cross-border relevance. They also receive continuous editorial support and mentoring throughout the production process, strengthening both the quality of reporting and professional capacities.

The MOST project brings together a network of media organisations working to foster innovation, collaboration and the exchange of best practices in investigative journalism. The project is implemented by a consortium comprising: 1) Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN), 2) Centro per la Cooperazione Internazionale (CCI/OBCT); 3) El Orden Mundial – EOM, Spain; 4) European Pravda, Ukraine; 5) New Eastern Europe; 6) Le Courrier des Balkans – Courriers D’Europe et D’Orient – DcB, France; and 7) Stichting the Tactical Technology Collective – TTC, Netherlands. The project is funded by the European Commission through the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

BIRN Serbia Wins Two Prestigious ‘Dejan Anastasijevic’ Awards

Two reporters linked to BIRN won the Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia, NUNS, awards for investigative journalism presented on May 15.

The award for best investigative story went to BIRN contributor Barbara Matejcic for her investigation “Killing for a photograph: What is hidden behind the only photograph of death in the war in Yugoslavia”, published by BIRN Serbia.

Her awarded work examined the circumstances under which photographs from the war in the former Yugoslavia were taken in Brcko in Bosnia in May 1992, documenting acts of execution at close range.

Matejcic’s investigation raises critical questions regarding the circumstances that enabled the creation of these photographs, the roles of their authors, and the factors that made such documentation possible.

Starting this year, the award for reporting in the public interest was also presented to Jelena Kikic from Nova TV and BIRN Serbia’s Radmilo Markovic for their documentary “The General Staff Building: The collapse of the state.”

In the film, they present new documents and revelations to the public about the multi-year, secret project to build a luxury hotel on the site of the heavily damaged General Staff Building, which was conducted without informing or involving the public. The complex was targeted during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 and was left largely derelict.

In the category of investigative stories in local media, a group of authors – N. Stevanovic, Ivana Jovanovic and Dejana Cvetkovic were awarded for a series of texts about the position of Albanians in Serbia.

As in previous years, the audience voted for the shortlisted reportages. The reportage with the most votes was “N1 Journalists at the SNS meeting – from recruitment to payment of daily wages,” by young reporters Sara Sekulic and Milos Zekic.

“There is hope for our society as long as there are journalists who, despite everything, write in the public interest,” said NUNS President Zeljko Bodrozic at the award ceremony.

He added that investigative journalists and other professionals have worked in a “hostile environment created by the government” for more than 10 years.

Since 2020, the award has been named after the longtime Vreme magazine journalist Dejan Anastasijevic, who died in 2019.

The award is given on the occasion of World Media Freedom Day because investigative journalism is important for developing journalism, fighting corruption, resisting government and other power pressures on individuals or organizations, and supporting democratic development.

With this award, NUNS aims to support and affirm journalists who, in a serious and professional manner, address topics of great importance to the public in Serbia.

BIRN Albania Publishes EU AML Legislative Briefings to Support Reform Process

A new series of thematic legislative assessments prepared by Transparency International EU provides an accessible overview of the European Union’s updated anti-money laundering framework and its relevance for Albania’s ongoing legislative alignment.

As Albania advances its approximation with the European Union acquis, particularly under Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security), BIRN Albania has published a series of legislative briefings analysing key elements of the EU’s 2024 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) package. The materials, prepared by Transparency International EU within the project “Follow the Money: Strengthening Albania’s Anti-Money Laundering Initiatives”, cover areas including crypto-assets, beneficial ownership transparency, Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), obliged entities, and real estate-related risks.

The European Union’s 2024 AML package represents the most comprehensive reform of its financial integrity framework in over a decade. It introduces a directly applicable single rulebook, strengthens transparency requirements, expands obligations for private-sector gatekeepers, enhances cooperation between Financial Intelligence Units, and establishes a new supranational supervisory authority — the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA).

These developments are particularly relevant for Albania’s ongoing legislative and institutional alignment process. The new EU framework reshapes how risks related to money laundering, organised crime proceeds, corruption-related assets and opaque ownership structures are identified, monitored and addressed. It also introduces important changes in areas such as beneficial ownership transparency, supervision of non-financial professions, access to registries, financial intelligence functions, and cross-border cooperation mechanisms.

The briefing papers are published in Albanian to support informed engagement by civil society organisations, journalists, researchers and other stakeholders in consultation processes related to these reforms. By making complex EU regulatory developments more accessible, the series aims to strengthen evidence-based public debate and support external monitoring of key areas, including:

beneficial ownership transparency,
supervision of obliged entities and professional intermediaries,
the operational capacity and independence of the Financial Intelligence Agency,
risks linked to organised crime proceeds and opaque ownership structures, and
transparency in higher-risk sectors such as real estate and crypto-assets.

These publications seek to support broader engagement with the EU AML reform agenda and to strengthen the capacity of watchdog actors to contribute to accountability during the implementation of upcoming legislative changes. As Albania continues its alignment with European standards in financial transparency and integrity, informed participation by non-state stakeholders will remain essential to an effective and resilient anti-money laundering system.

Read the briefing papers (in Albanian):

BIRN Kosovo Holds Training on Safe Reporting on Energy Issues

On May 15–16, BIRN Kosovo organised a two-day training titled “Safe and Professional Reporting in the Energy Sector” in Prevalla, in the Municipality of Prizren, bringing together journalists and media professionals from Kosovo.

The training, moderated by Kreshnik Gashi, aimed to contribute to improving the quality of journalism and public-interest reporting on energy-related issues in Kosovo.

Sessions focused on strengthening journalists’ capacities for professional, fact-based and safe reporting on the energy sector through discussions on the functioning of Kosovo’s energy system, key sector challenges, reporting on electricity theft, whistleblower protection and identifying disinformation campaigns related to energy issues.

The sessions were delivered by experts and professionals from the energy and media sectors. They included Avni Alidemaj, Chief Operations Officer at the Kosovo electricity distribution company, KEDS, Margarita Rashiti, spokesperson of KESCO, Naim Krasniqi, editor at KALLXO.com, Alush Mexhuani, Director of the Operational System at KEDS; Visar Prebreza, Managing Editor at BIRN Kosovo and Drenusha Gashi, SCADA Manager at KEDS.

Participants also discussed journalists’ safety while reporting in the field, electricity tariff regulation processes and the modernization of the energy network through SCADA technologies.

The training gathered a total of 20 participants, of whom 11 were women.

Winners of the Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence Announced in Vienna

The winners of the Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence were announced at a ceremony in Vienna on 14 May, honouring the fellows who completed the programme.

At the annual event held in Vienna on 14 May, three stories received the Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence award for their reporting on organised crime and its social impact; displacement and identity; and on structural inequalities linked to access to natural resources.

This year’s first prize was awarded to Margo Rejmer for her story examining how cocaine use became normalised in Albania and how traffickers came to be mythologised in a poor and corrupt society.

Presenting the award, Florian Hassel, Central and Eastern Europe correspondent for the German daily Süddeutsche Zeitung, said: “Margo Rejmer’s article Pizza Pasta Kokaina, about how cocaine changed Albania, uncovers a subject widely unknown to a wider European audience. It is a perfect example of investigative and explanatory reporting, undertaken with considerable personal risk, by somebody who knows the country well.” The story will be published on the Fellowship in the coming weeks.

The second prize went to Georgi Totev for his story, “Island of Castaways: Traumatic Histories Wash Ashore on Gokceada”, which explores an Aegean island through the experiences of people marked by exile, displacement, trauma and longing. Adelheid Wölfl, a correspondent for the Austrian daily Der Standard, presented the award, saying;

“Georgi Totev has written a story that weaves together the lives of migrants from different historical periods in expressive and colorful language. An island is portrayed as a place of destiny for minorities and displaced persons. The text indirectly becomes a plea for diversity and human rights and fosters an understanding of traumatic events whose effects are still felt today. Georgi Totev takes us to the Aegean Sea, he takes us to the 20th century, and with loving detail and linguistic skill, he traces the thoughts, feelings, and desires of people who were caught in the maelstrom of political decisions that shattered their identities.”

Third prize was awarded to Adina Florea for her story on water shortages in drought-stricken north-east Romania, where unequal access to running water has deepened social divisions between rich and poor, young and old, and urban and rural communities.

Presenting the award, Elena Panagiotidis, editor at the Swiss daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung, said:

“Adina has produced a piece worth reading, combining strong field reporting, an excellent use of data and clear systemic analysis. The hidden water crisis of Romania definitely is of public interest beyond Romania.”

In addition to Adelheid Wölfl, Elena Panagiotidis, and Florian Hassel, this year’s jury panel included Gyula Csák, editor at Bellingcat; Milorad Ivanović, representing the FJE alumni network; Remzi Lani, Director of the Albanian Media Institute; and Kristof Bender, deputy chairman of the European Stability Initiative.

The awards ceremony brought together journalists, editors and media professionals from across Europe to celebrate reporting that sheds light on underreported issues and gives voice to communities often overlooked in mainstream coverage.

With this year’s programme concluding, nine fellows join the FJE alumni network, which now brings together more than 150 journalists from 14 Central and Eastern European countries committed to upholding the highest standards of professional journalism.

Launched in 2007, the Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence is now in its nineteenth year. The programme supports professional development, cross-border collaboration, and in-depth reporting on key issues across Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. Each year, selected fellows receive financial and editorial support to produce long-form stories on complex regional and European topics.

The Fellowship is implemented by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network and supported by the ERSTE Foundation.

Job Vacancy: Serbia Correspondent (Full Time)

The Balkan Investigative Regional Reporting Network (BIRN Hub), is seeking to recruit:
● 1 (one) Correspondent from Serbia (5+ years of relevant experience)

BIRN Hub, based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, is looking for a correspondent from Serbia for BIRN’s English-language website Balkan Insight.

We are offering the chance to work in a highly interactive and dynamic environment at one of the biggest media networks in the region.

Position Details

Contract Type: Full-time

Working Language: English

Experience Level: More than 5 years of relevant experience

Start Date: As soon as possible

Location: Office-based or remote (Serbia-based candidates only)

Application Deadline: 12 June 2026

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting on daily events and producing analysis, interviews, features and photo or video stories on the main events in the country, including politics, security, the economy, human rights, the environment, rule of law, transitional justice, digital rights, gender issues
Producing country-based and cross-border investigative articles
Developing new ideas and topics for Balkan Insight
Contributing to regional thematic stories
Mentoring journalists and contributing to collaborations with other news organisations as part of BIRN projects

Other Duties and Responsibilities

Maintaining appropriate contacts with BIRN country offices and/or personnel, to ensure the proper execution of the above-mentioned duties.
Working closely with other departments such to ensure alignment and integration of strategies with overall organisational goals
Carrying out any other duties that may reasonably or exceptionally be required to ensure the smooth operation of Balkan Insight’s work, such as substituting for absent colleagues, etc
Performing other duties as assigned

Key Requirements

Minimum 5+ years of experience as a journalist, correspondent, online reporter or TV/radio reporter
Excellent command of the English language (writing, reading, understanding and speaking)
Strong writing, reporting and storytelling skills with excellent attention to detail and accuracy
Knowledge and understanding of the Balkan region and regional political/social developments and readiness to work in the context of international media standards
Familiarity with online reporting, interest in web and mobile journalism; knowledge of promotion methods via social networks; online journalism skills, including working with OSINT and visuals-making platforms
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines
Experience working with content management systems (CMS), including uploading and sourcing images and video for one’s own and others’ stories
Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-border teams in multicultural environments

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should submit the following through the application form available at the link below:

CV detailing relevant experience
Covering letter (maximum 1 page)
Three best stories
Contact details for two professional references

Application form

Application deadline: 12 June 2026

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

BIRN values diversity and inclusion and is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including minority and underrepresented groups and persons with disabilities.

About BIRN

BIRN Hub is a nongovernmental organisation and part of the regional BIRN Network, working to promote independent journalism, freedom of expression, human rights and democratic values in Southern, Eastern and Central Europe.

BIRN has country organisations in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia, while the Network is also present editorially in Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary.

More information at birn.eu.com.

BIRN Kosovo Debate Discusses Missing Persons Plight in Mitrovica Region

Documentary and discussion in South Mitrovica explore challenges to search for the missing from the Kosovo war and the role of justice in the process.

As part of a broader series of public discussions on transitional justice and missing persons in Kosovo, BIRN Kosovo organised a documentary screening and a town hall debate on May 12 in the Municipality of South Mitrovica.

This debate brought together institutional representatives, journalists, family members and citizens to discuss ongoing challenges to the search for missing persons and the role of transitional justice within the region of South Mitrovica and North Mitrovica.

The debate was preceded by the screening of a documentary produced by BIRN Kosovo that addresses the stories of persons who disappeared during the Kosovo war through testimonies from family members still searching for answers about the fate of their loved ones from both Albanian and Serbian communities.

The discussion that followed was moderated by BIRN Kosovo Executive Director and journalist Jeta Xharra and included representatives from Kosovo institutions and civil society organisations involved in the process.

Panelists included Ilir Morina, from the Special Prosecution, Kushtrim Gara, from the Government Commission on Missing Persons, Gjyla Haziri, from the Association “Voice of the Parents”, Dushan Radaković, from the Advocacy Centre for Democratic Culture (ACDC), Arsim Gerxhaliu, from the Institute of Forensic Medicine, and Kreshnik Gashi, from KALLXO.com.

The search for missing persons from the Kosovo war remains an ongoing and deeply emotional process, particularly in the Mitrovica region, which institutions continue to treat as a priority area.

Prosecutor Ilir Morina revealed that 32 excavations were carried out during the past year alone, including six in the Mitrovica area, based on information received from the Kosovo Police, stressing that every piece of information shared by citizens could help uncover the fate of the missing. Around 100 persons from Mitrovica are still listed as missing.

Family advocate Gjyla Haziri underlined that relatives continue to live in constant uncertainty and waiting, while Dushan Radaković criticized the politicization of the issue, arguing that the pain of families is too often overlooked.

There were 54 participants attending the event, including 29 women. Among them were representatives of local authorities, municipal assembly members, civil society activists, media professionals, family members of missing persons in Mitrovica, citizens and students.

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