BIRN Kosovo produces a wide variety of English-language and local language news reports, analysis and investigations, and is also involved in promoting good governance in Kosovo through public events, trainings and capacity-building. BIRN's team in Kosovo provides a variety of services to clients interested in learning about and working in the Balkans.
Media
BIRN Kosovo produces a variety print, online and television materials that cover current events, debates, transitional justice and more.
Publishing & Broadcasting
As part of its publishing efforts, BIRN Kosovo journalists cover political, social and economic issues in both Albanian and English languages via two online news portals: Balkan Insight and Gazeta Jeta ne Kosove.
A well-known and widely distributed Albanian-language TV program, Life in Kosovo, carries both reports and hard-hitting interviews with decision-makers in the country. In addition, the office publishes the English-language newspaper Prishtina Insight every two weeks, and covers issues ranging from rule of law and environmental issues.
BIRN Kosovo also produces a televised Justice in Kosovo program, and a monthly Justice in Kosovo newsletter that covers issues of police, security and the justice system.
BIRN Kosovo's publications have led to changes in government practices, exposure of corruption, and further investigation of issues raised.
Capacity-building
BIRN Kosovo conducts in-house training and formal workshops for journalists and civil society workers throughout Kosovo to build media capacity in the country.
In addition to in-house trainings, dozens of journalists and civil society activists from across Kosovo have received training in investigative journalism techniques through BIRN Kosovo workshops.
Good Governance
BIRN Kosovo is engaged in initiatives and activities that aim to promote good governance in Kosovo's public services such as healthcare, judicial system and education. Further, BIRN aims to share the know-how of monitoring and following up on cases reported through its media outlets with other media in Kosovo.
Advocacy
BIRN Kosovo's legal unit initiative focuses on advancing new legislation in the country and pushing for good governance practices.
Monitoring and Research
Through monitoring public services and elections in Kosovo, BIRN office contributes to detecting problems in the rule of law, education and healthcare arenas and enhancing the independence, transparency and accountability of public services.
BIRN Kosovo has a pool of monitors who systematically monitor courts, hospitals and schools in municipalities across the country. The monitors attend court sessions, visit hospitals and talk to patients, and visit schools and attend classes.
The material gathered is then collated and distributed via monthly newsletters and analytical annual reports, and information is passed on to journalists who often conduct further research and articles for local media.
In addition, BIRN production teams accompany Kosovo customs inspectors as they carry out field inspections throughout the country.
BIRN Kosovo's team of election monitors has documented fraud and filed complaints that led to the annulment of results in several polling stations.