Tag: Kosovo

This project represents an additional effort to increase discussion on transitional justice and dealing with the past in Kosovo and across the Western Balkans more broadly. The project aims to strengthen reconciliation and non-recurrence by empowering diverse communities in the Western Balkans, with a focus on training media professionals, public institutions, and students, by providing them with specialized knowledge on topics such as war crimes, judicial processes, reporting ethics, the role of the media in documenting the truth, as well as the impact of hate speech and disinformation in distorting the truth.

About the training

The training aims to provide participants with theoretical knowledge and practical skills on:

• War crimes and international legal standards
• Transitional justice mechanisms and accountability
• Ethical principles and challenges in reporting on sensitive issues
• The role of the media and civil society in shaping public opinion
• Professional standards and fact-based reporting

Who can apply?

The call is open for:

• Professionals of the justice system (judges, prosecutors, legal officers, police officers, forensic doctors, lawyers).

BIRN Kosovo encourages interested individuals from non-majority ethnic communities, without distinction, to apply and participate in the student training session, in line with the principles of equality and inclusiveness.

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Interest or experience in the topics of war crimes, transitional justice, or media reporting
• Motivation to apply the acquired knowledge in their professional or academic work
  

When and where will the respective training sessions be held?

The training session for professionals of the justice system (judges, prosecutors, legal officers, police officers, forensic doctors, lawyers) will be held on 26 January 2026 at the Reporting House Museum, Prishtina.

Applicants may apply through the Google application form.

Selection of participants:

Selection will be based on:

• The relevance of the applicant’s professional or academic profile to the respective training
• Motivation to participate
• Experience or interest in the thematic areas

During the selection process, gender equality and inclusiveness will be taken into account, in line with EU principles.

How to apply?

Interested individuals are invited to complete the online application form at this link, depending on the group to which they belong.

Language of the training: The training sessions in the field of transitional justice will be conducted in Albanian; interpretation will be provided for participants.

Application deadline: 22.01.2026

Only selected participants will be contacted.

The training was held under the Reconcile project, supported by the European Union, and brought together journalists, civil society representatives, researchers, and students.

The training consisted of four thematic lectures that provided participants with in-depth, practical insights into key challenges related to dealing with the past. Topics covered included documenting war crimes in international media; collecting evidence on war crimes from institutions and non-governmental organizations; the transition of war crimes investigations from international to domestic mechanisms, with a focus on building prosecutorial capacity; and the impact of hate speech and disinformation on establishing the truth about war crimes. The sessions were delivered by experienced practitioners, including Kreshnik Gashi, Editor-in-Chief of Kallxo.com; former war crimes prosecutor Drita Hajdari; Professor Halim Bajraktari; and Labinot Leposhtica, Head of the Legal Office at BIRN Kosovo. Drawing on their professional experience, the speakers shared practical insights into war crimes investigations, judicial proceedings, and the ethical challenges of reporting on sensitive and complex issues.

Participants emphasized the importance of creating spaces for discussion and learning on these topics. Journalists and civil society representatives noted that the training offered knowledge and perspectives they had not previously encountered, particularly on ethical reporting standards and the protection of victims’ identities. Several participants stressed that understanding when and how to withhold sensitive information is essential for responsible journalism, especially when reporting on victims of war crimes and other serious violations.

The training session brought together 38 journalists, activists, researchers, and members of victim groups, out of whom 29 were women. The aim of fostering meaningful discussion and exchange on the role of media and civil society in addressing war crimes and transitional justice in Kosovo was addressed during this session

The Reconcile project is funded by the European Union. The content and views expressed are the sole responsibility of BIRN Kosovo and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

Workshop Overview and Participant Breakdown

Date: 12 January 2026

Location: Pristina, Kosovo

Number of participants per country:

Kosovo 35

BiH: 1

Serbia: 2

Total Number of Participants: 38

The full findings and activities are available in the EDS Report, which can be accessed here.

The session featured contributions from journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Kallxo.com, Kreshnik Gashi; former war crimes prosecutor Drita Hajdari; Professor Halim Bajraktari; and Labinot Leposhtica, Head of the Legal Office at BIRN Kosovo. Drawing on their professional experience, the speakers shared insights into war crimes investigations, judicial proceedings, and the ethical challenges involved in reporting on sensitive and complex topics.

Participants emphasized that the training helped clarify gaps in their understanding of how war crimes cases have been addressed in Kosovo, particularly regarding the reasons behind lengthy judicial processes. Students also highlighted the importance of learning to distinguish fact-based reporting from propaganda, noting that these skills are essential for anyone seeking to understand and critically engage with the past.

Moreover, the training provided a deeper and more realistic understanding of the consequences of the war, including the scale of victimization and the institutional challenges in delivering justice. Many participants noted that the perspectives offered during the session differed significantly from those encountered in their academic coursework, contributing to a more nuanced and practical understanding of transitional justice. The training brought together 27 participants, of whom 20 were women.

The “Reconcile” project is funded by the European Union. The content and views expressed are the sole responsibility of BIRN Kosovo and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

Workshop Overview and Participant Breakdown

Date: 9 January 2026

Location: Pristina, Kosovo

Number of participants per country: Kosovo 27

Total number of participants: 27

The full findings and activities are available in the EDS Report, which can be accessed here.

The training was organised within the framework of the Reconcile project, which is being implemented simultaneously across several Western Balkan countries and aims to strengthen professional knowledge and public understanding of dealing with the past.

The session featured contributions from experienced practitioners, including journalist and managing editor at Kallxo.com, Kreshnik Gashi, former prosecutor Drita Hajdari, and dealing with the past expert and practitioner Ibrahim Makolli and head of Legal Office at BIRN Kosovo, Labinot Leposhtica. They shared insights from their professional engagement with war crimes documentation, judicial processes, international cooperation, fact-checking and media documentation of war crimes.

During the training, students explored key concepts related to transitional justice and post-conflict accountability in Kosovo and the wider Western Balkans. The programme combined theoretical frameworks with practical discussions, covering international legal standards on war crimes, mechanisms of transitional justice and accountability, ethical principles and challenges in reporting sensitive topics, and the role of media and civil society in shaping public discourse. Particular attention was given to fact-based, professional reporting, as well as the impact of hate speech and disinformation on distorting the truth. This training was attended by 45 participants.

Several participants shared their experiences and expectations from the training, highlighting the importance of such initiatives for younger generations who did not directly experience the war. Students emphasised that understanding past crimes and learning how they are documented and reported in the media is essential for building informed and responsible professionals in journalism, law, and public service.

The “Reconcile” project is funded by the European Union. The content and views expressed are the sole responsibility of BIRN Kosovo and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

Workshop Overview and Participant Breakdown

Date: 8 January 2026

Location: Pristina, Kosovo

Number of participants per country: Kosovo 45

Total Number of participants: 45

The full findings and activities are available in the EDS Report, which can be accessed here.

About the project: 

The project “Reconcile”, supported by the European Union, is being implemented by BIRN Hub and BIRN Kosovo and is taking place in Kosovo as well as in several other Western Balkan countries. This project represents an additional effort to increase discussion on transitional justice and dealing with the past in Kosovo and across the Western Balkans more broadly. The project aims to strengthen reconciliation and non-recurrence by empowering diverse communities in the Western Balkans, with a focus on training media professionals, public institutions, and students, by providing them with specialized knowledge on topics such as war crimes, judicial processes, reporting ethics, the role of the media in documenting the truth, as well as the impact of hate speech and disinformation in distorting the truth.

About the training

The training aims to provide participants with theoretical knowledge and practical skills on:

• • War crimes and international legal standards 
  • Transitional justice mechanisms and accountability 
  • Ethical principles and challenges in reporting on sensitive issues 
  • The role of the media and civil society in shaping public opinion

• Professional standards and fact-based reporting

Who can apply?

The call is open for:

• Journalists and media professionals
• Representatives of civil society organizations
• Researchers and professionals working in the field of human rights or transitional justice

BIRN Kosovo encourages interested individuals from non-majority ethnic communities, without distinction, to apply and participate in the student training session, in line with the principles of equality and inclusiveness.

Applicants must demonstrate:

• • Interest or experience in the topics of war crimes, transitional justice, or media reporting

• Motivation to apply the acquired knowledge in their professional or academic work
  

When and where will the respective training sessions be held?

The training session for representatives of civil society, journalists, and researchers will be held on 12 January 2026 at the Reporting House Museum, Prishtina.

Applicants may apply only for the region they come from, through the Google application form.

Selection of participants:

Selection will be based on:

• The relevance of the applicant’s professional or academic profile to the respective training
• Motivation to participate
• Experience or interest in the thematic areas

During the selection process, gender equality and inclusiveness will be taken into account, in line with EU principles.

How to apply?

Interested individuals are invited to complete the online application form at this link, depending on the group they belong to.

• Application form for the student session – University of Prishtina and other non-public universities in Prishtina
• Application form for the student session – University of Prizren

Language of the training: The training sessions in the field of transitional justice will be conducted in Albanian; interpretation will be provided for participants. 

Application deadline: 08.01.2026

Only selected participants will be contacted.

The training held on December 22, 2025, focused on improving journalists’ understanding of ethical decision-making, legal safeguards, and verification practices in an increasingly complex media environment.

The first session addressed gender-sensitive journalism and safety in reporting. Participants discussed the representation of women in the media, approaches to reporting on gender-related issues, and legal and professional safety when reporting from crisis or hostile environments. The session was delivered by were shared by Kreshnik Gashi, Editor-in-Chief of KALLXO.com, giving practical examples from the field.

The second session focused on media regulation and professional ethics. Participants were introduced to the legal and regulatory framework governing media in Kosovo, media ownership and financial transparency, and access to public documents. The session was delivered by Labinot Leposhtica, Monitoring Coordinator and Head of the Legal Office at BIRN Kosovo. 

The discussion further delved into professional journalism ethics, examining real-life dilemmas and the decision-making processes journalists encounter in their daily work.

The final part of the training focused on fact-based reporting and verification standards. Participants were introduced to international fact-checking methodologies and tools used to verify photos and videos, followed by practical exercises. The sessions were led by Visar Prebreza, Editor at Krypometër.

Through a combination of expert-led sessions and hands-on exercises, the training reinforced the importance of ethical, accurate, and responsible journalism, highlighting BIRN’s ongoing commitment to strengthening media professionalism and public trust in journalism in Kosovo.

This activity is supported by the EU-funded project “Strengthen the Role and Capacities of Investigative Journalism in Kosovo”, implemented by BIRN Kosovo, the Press Council of Kosovo, and TV Mreža.

The training was provided to officials of the Municipality of Peja/Pec, including assembly members and other officials, to address various forms of extremism and terrorism, with a focus on the strategic goals set out in the Strategy.

Present were Labinot Leposhtica, the Legal Office and Monitoring Coordinator at BIRN Kosovo and a member of the Working Group for the National Strategy for Preventing and Countering Terrorism, and Milot Sfishta, an official from the Department for Reintegration of Repatriated Persons and Integration of Foreigners at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Labinot Leposhtica emphasized the crucial role of local communities in combating extremism and terrorism and stressed the immediate need for the Strategy to be implemented at the regional level. Milot Sfishta provided an overview of the current situation regarding returnees and the work undertaken by the institutions. Speakers emphasized that local authorities play a vital role in achieving the Strategy’s goals and that their involvement is crucial to preventing violent extremism. 

During the training, the participants were very active in discussing various cases, such as political terrorism, many attacks that occurred in the past years in Kosovo towards critical infrastructure, such as the Iber-Lepenc case, the Badovci Lake, and other cases, such as  Banjska and the fragility of the overall security situation, which requires attention of all, regardless of political parties.  

The participants were very familiar with violent extremism cases and people involved in the past, when they joined foreign fights. Underlying ideologies and economic factors were two of the main reasons why they joined the war in Syria. Moreover, participants reached a shared agreement on the urgent need for further action, particularly focused on youth. There was a growing concern that young people may be influenced by incidents that have occurred in the region in recent years, highlighting the importance of using their roles and elected representatives within the Peja/Pec community to more actively address and prevent such developments.

27 participants attended the event, out of whom 12 were women.

The training was part of the Resilient and Inclusive Community Programme, funded by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), through the Advocacy Training and Resource Center (ATRC), and implemented by BIRN Kosovo.

About the project: 

The project “Reconcile”, supported by the European Union, is being implemented by BIRN Hub and BIRN Kosovo and is taking place in Kosovo as well as in several other Western Balkan countries. This project represents an additional effort to increase discussion on transitional justice and dealing with the past in Kosovo and across the Western Balkans more broadly. The project aims to strengthen reconciliation and non-recurrence by empowering diverse communities in the Western Balkans, with a focus on training media professionals, public institutions, and students, by providing them with specialized knowledge on topics such as war crimes, judicial processes, reporting ethics, the role of the media in documenting the truth, as well as the impact of hate speech and disinformation in distorting the truth.

About the training

The training aims to provide participants with theoretical knowledge and practical skills on:

• • War crimes and international legal standards 
  • Transitional justice mechanisms and accountability 
  • Ethical principles and challenges in reporting on sensitive issues 
  • The role of the media and civil society in shaping public opinion

• Professional standards and fact-based reporting

Who can apply?

The call is open for:

• Bachelor’s level students in Law, Political Science, and related fields in the social sciences 

• Master’s level students in Law, Political Science, and related fields in the social sciences

BIRN Kosovo encourages interested individuals from non-majority ethnic communities, without distinction, to apply and participate in the student training session, in line with the principles of equality and inclusiveness.

Applicants must demonstrate:

• • Interest or experience in the topics of war crimes, transitional justice, or media reporting

• Motivation to apply the acquired knowledge in their professional or academic work
  

When and where will the respective training sessions be held?

For the target group: Students, two one-day trainings will be held, focusing on students from the University of Prishtina and the University of Prizren, while the call remains open to other private universities in these two municipalities as well.

• 8 January 2026 – Students from Prishtina (University of Prishtina and others)
• 9 January 2026 – Students, University of Prizren and other public universities

The training sessions will be held at: Reporting House Museum, Prishtina.

Applicants may apply only for the region they come from, through the Google application form.

Selection of participants:

Selection will be based on:

• The relevance of the applicant’s professional and academic profile to the respective training
• Motivation to participate
• Experience or interest in the thematic areas
• Willingness to learn and share experiences in this field

During the selection process, gender equality and inclusiveness will be taken into account, in line with EU principles.

How to apply?

Interested individuals are invited to complete the online application form at this link, depending on the group they belong to.

• Application form for the student session – University of Prishtina and other non-public universities in Prishtina
• Application form for the student session – University of Prizren

Language of the training: The training sessions in the field of transitional justice will be conducted in Albanian; interpretation will be provided for participants. 

Application deadline: 05.01.2026

Only selected participants will be contacted.
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On December 15 in Prishtina, AJK, BIRN Kosovo and Internews Kosova awarded three Kosovo journalists for their exceptional contributions to fact-checking journalism, as part of the “Media Integrity and Disinformation Watch project,” with the support of the British Embassy in Kosovo. 

British Ambassador Jonathan Hargreaves, BIRN’s executive director Jeta Xharra and University Professor Dren Gërguri delivered the awards. 

First prize was awarded to Fitim Gashi of Sbunker for an investigation into coordinated disinformation campaigns conducted through Serbian and Russian-language Telegram channels, targeting the Serbian community in Kosovo. The investigation documented the cyclical spread of hate speech and disinformation, including intimidation, threats, and stigmatization of anyone cooperating with Kosovo’s institutions. It highlighted the instrumentalization of historical narratives to foster fear and deepen societal divisions.

Second prize was awarded to Sandra Cvetković of Radio Free Europe for two interconnected investigations into the role of Russian state media in shaping political narratives in Kosovo. The research revealed preferential treatment of the Belgrade-backed Serbian List, marginalization of other Serbian political actors and unsubstantiated portrayals of Kosovo institutions and Western partners as persecutors of Serbs. The analysis situates these narratives within the broader context of Russian hybrid influence in the Western Balkans.

The third prize was awarded to Xhezair Dashi and Arbër Ramadani of Nacionale for their investigation into the use of fake Facebook profiles, presenting themselves as women, to disseminate political propaganda during the February 9, 2025, election campaign. Through a combination of written reporting and video content, the journalists identified the operational patterns, interaction strategies and reach of these deceptive accounts. 

The Fact-Checking Journalism Award marks a significant step in strengthening professional journalism in Kosovo, honouring journalists who uphold accuracy, accountability and the public interest in an increasingly complex information environment.

The documentary showcases how foreign information manipulation, interference and hate speech target Kosovo’s electoral processes. It illustrates the ways in which such campaigns undermine public trust in institutions, intensify polarization, and create additional obstacles for women participating in political life. 

The film aims to increase awareness among citizens and within institutions about the scale and consequences of disinformation and to contribute to strengthening society’s resilience to manipulation. It also serves as a source of evidence that can support public dialogue and shape practical solutions.

The screening was followed by a discussion with the British Ambassador to Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves, the Director of NDI Kosovo, Ambassador Nancy Soderberg and Jeta Xharra, Executive Director of BIRN Kosovo.

Referring to the documentary’s findings, Ambassador Hargreaves stated that the situation represents a serious warning, emphasizing the importance of exposing this issue. He noted that this challenge is neither unique to Kosovo nor unfamiliar to the United Kingdom.

Ambassador Soderberg said what stood out most to her was the extent to which Russian authorities operate openly in their disinformation campaigns, while stating the importance of media literacy in mitigating the challenges of today’s information space.

This event was organised in partnership with the National Democratic Institute in Kosovo, under the framework of the Information Integrity Conference DISICON. 

The documentary was produced and published under the “Media Integrity and Disinformation Watch” project, with the support of the British Embassy in Kosovo.