Gentiana is a human rights activist and capacity-building expert for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with experience in project cycle management, a background in Economics, and extensive training in gender equality, among other related fields.
No wonder her passion for human rights and strong civil society have led her to BIRN.
“I believe access to rights, reliable information and civic engagement empowers individuals to drive real change, while BIRN’s commitment to transparency and accountability and public participation are values I share deeply,” she says.
“I dedicated over 15 years of my career to human rights activism, fundraising and strengthening civil society across the Western Balkans, and throughout this journey I’ve learned firsthand how to build resilient organizations and achieve lasting impact.
“I’m thrilled and excited to work alongside BIRN’s team and diverse stakeholders, bringing people together to shape strategies and develop impactful initiatives that empower independent media and civil society, contributing to a more transparent and accountable region and ultimately driving positive change,” she adds.
Now, as Head of Programmes, her key responsibilities include setting programme goals aligned with BIRN’s strategic objectives and overseeing their implementation.
She works closely with Programme Managers, providing guidance and problem-solving support and ensuring smooth coordination between programme, editorial, operations and finance teams.
These are all very important tasks because BIRN Hub has four core programmes. Gentiana explains how those programmes contribute to the overall strategy of the organisation.
“BIRN’s programmes strengthen independent journalism, hold power to account, and promote transparency and democracy in Southeast Europe,” she says.
- Capacity Building and Strengthening of Independent Media: This programme focuses on enhancing journalistic skills and media sustainability by bridging gaps in education and professional development. It provides mentorship and training and promotes innovative approaches such as engagement journalism. BIRN serves as an intermediary between large media development organisations and local outlets, offering direct support through sub-grants and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen independent media across the region.
- Transitional Justice Initiative: The Transitional Justice Initiative is a cornerstone of BIRN’s work, taking a regional approach to addressing war crime denial, relativization, impunity and conflicting narratives. Through investigative journalism, legal accountability efforts and public awareness initiatives, the programme aims to foster reconciliation and advance justice. A key component is the preservation of data and archival materials, ensuring that documented evidence and testimonies remain accessible for future generations, strengthening collective memory and historical accountability.
- Investigative Reporting Initiative: This flagship programme uncovers corruption, public spending fraud, environmental crimes, human rights violations and organised crime, among others. BIRN produces in-depth investigations with compelling storytelling, trains journalists through the BIRN’s Summer School of Investigative Reporting for 15 years and BIRN’s Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence for almost 20 years, and collaborates with universities to develop investigative journalism curricula.
- Reporting and Monitoring Human Rights and Freedoms: This relatively new programme grows together with the increase of human rights violations in the online sphere. It focuses on monitoring digital rights violations, misinformation, and online abuse, providing training for journalists, compiling annual Digital Rights Violations Reports, and engaging with policymakers to advocate for stronger protections of digital freedoms and media rights.
Gentiana also focuses on risk management, reporting and impact assessment, including developing monitoring and evaluation tools. Her responsibilities here include strengthening BIRN’s visibility, building partnerships and enhancing interdepartmental cooperation.
Additionally, she ensures compliance with policies, supports staff capacity building, and contributes to budget planning to drive BIRN’s mission and long-term sustainability.
But what does her typical working day look like?
“As the Head of Programmes at BIRN, a typical working day is dynamic and involves overseeing multiple responsibilities across various programmes and spending a significant part of the day in meetings. Morning (or sometimes a whole day 🙂) starts with briefings and prioritizations, meaning reviewing emails, requests and updates from Programme Managers, followed by prioritizing tasks based on deadlines, ongoing projects and any emerging issues.
“I check in with team members to track the progress of ongoing activities, address any challenges, and ensure alignment with BIRN’s strategic objectives. We discuss timelines, goals, and any adjustments needed to stay on track,” she says.
After that, she usually reviews project reports, ensuring they meet donor requirements and reflect the impact of BIRN’s work.
“During the day, I participate in strategic planning, working with the team to resolve issues related to resource allocation, risks or changes in direction. I also engage with external partners like media organisations, donors and stakeholders. I work with the Operations Department on budget allocation and resource use,” she explains.
“A key part of my role is ensuring that the Programme Managers and other team members have the tools and support they need to succeed. This includes providing guidance on project management, facilitating professional development, and mentoring staff to enhance their skills.
“Every day brings new challenges but the goal is always the same: ensuring the success and impact of BIRN’s programmes. And yes, I rely on a lot of coffee to keep up with the fast pace! 🙂” she says.
As in every job, there are favourite – and least favourite – parts of being a Head of Programmes for Gentiana.
“My absolute favorite part is planning—I’m obsessed with it! I firmly believe that a well-structured plan is half the work done. On the other hand, my least favorite part is when time constraints don’t allow me to plan as thoroughly as I’d like! Hahaha. 🙂
“But seriously, one of the most rewarding aspects of my role is working with an incredible team. You might wonder how, given that we are a large group with diverse personalities, experiences, backgrounds and expectations. Yes, it can be challenging, but I’m an eternal optimist who finds inspiration in every small step our team takes forward.
“Since we spend so much time at work, I believe we have a unique opportunity to learn from, support, and inspire each other every day. And when challenges arise, we step away from our laptops, grab a coffee, and let a good conversation spark fresh ideas!” she concludes.