Tag: Kosovo

On February 4, 2026, BIRN Kosovo organised the first day of the training programme, attended by 21 participants from the Special Prosecution Office, the Investigation Department of the Tax Administration of Kosovo, the Investigation Department of the Kosovo Police, and investigators from Kosovo Customs. This event is being carried out in the Pristina region.

During the training, Kreshnik Gashi, Managing Editor of Kallxo.com; Labinot Leposhtica, Head of the Legal Office at BIRN Kosovo; and Faik Ispahiu, Executive Director of Internews Kosova, shared their professional perspectives and firsthand experiences on public communication and strategic planning, particularly in the lead-up to and during operational activities.

More specifically, Kreshnik Gashi presented approaches to developing strategic messaging before operations began, with particular emphasis on inter-institutional coordination. Participants were divided into five groups and engaged in practical exercises focused on planning and coordination. In addition, participants discussed public communication in situations involving ongoing operations and completed practical group exercises simulating operational scenarios. Furthermore, the sessions included a segment on crisis communication strategies, where participants learned to tailor messages for diverse audiences. Lastly, feedback from participants was gathered to refine the training process and ensure its relevance to future operations.

The first day of the training was not only informative but also highly interactive among participants. A total of 21 participants attended the session, of whom seven were women.

This activity is funded by the British Embassy in Kosovo, implemented by BIRN Kosovo and Intenews Kosova.

The one-day training focused on presenting and discussing the current state strategy for preventing and countering terrorism, as well as on strengthening local capacities to address security challenges related to violent extremism. The session was delivered by Labinot Leposhtica, Legal Officer and Monitoring Coordinator at BIRN Kosovo and a member of the Working Group for the National Strategy for Preventing and Countering Terrorism, together with Milot Sfishta from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

During the training, Labinot Leposhtica emphasized the crucial role of local communities in preventing and countering extremism and terrorism, particularly through public engagement, early identification of risks, and grassroots initiatives. Milot Sfishta highlighted the important role of local authorities in implementing the objectives of the National Strategy and informed participants about recent developments and institutional efforts at the central level to address different forms of extremism.

Participants also shared their experiences related to previous cases of foreign terrorist fighters from Prizren who travelled to Syria and Iraq. According to participants, online recruitment was identified as one of the main contributing factors. Furthermore, discussions highlighted the growing impact of technological developments, including the use of artificial intelligence and online gaming environments, as emerging risk factors influencing youth vulnerability to radicalization. They also stressed the importance of early prevention measures, particularly within schools, and underlined the need for the involvement of school psychologists in identifying early signs of behavioral change. One proposal raised during the training was the potential development of a centralized reporting software that would enable schools across Kosovo to report concerning behavioral changes and monitor risks related to radicalization in a timely manner.

The training was attended by 11 participants from municipal staff and municipal assembly members of Prizren, including four women.

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

During the training, four lectures were delivered by experienced experts in the field: Jeta Xharra, Executive Director of BIRN Kosovo; Drita Hajdari, former war crimes prosecutor; Ibrahim Makolli, human rights and dealing with the past expert; and Labinot Leposhtica, Head of the Legal Office at BIRN Kosovo. The speakers shared their professional perspectives and first-hand experiences in war crimes documentation and investigations, as well as the ethical challenges of reporting on sensitive and complex issues.

A strong focus of the training was placed on the documentation and prosecution of war crimes, a topic that generated extensive discussion among participants representing various institutions and professions within the justice system. The sessions covered topics such as the documentation of war crimes in international media; the collection of evidence from institutional and non-governmental sources; the transition of war crimes investigations from international to domestic mechanisms, with particular attention to strengthening prosecutorial capacities; and the impact of hate speech and disinformation on establishing truth and accountability for war crimes.

Participants came from a wide range of institutions and professional backgrounds, including legal officers from Basic Prosecution Offices and Courts, lawyers and legal practitioners, representatives of the Kosovo Correctional Service, staff from the Kosovo Institute of Forensic Medicine, and police officers from the Kosovo Police unit responsible for investigating war crimes.

All training sessions were designed to be highly interactive, allowing participants to actively engage through questions and the exchange of perspectives on the issues discussed. Participants highlighted the need to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation to improve outcomes that benefit society as a whole, particularly by clarifying the fate of missing persons. Special emphasis was placed on understanding reconciliation not as forgiveness, but as the recognition of victims’ suffering and the acknowledgment of their rights and dignity.

The training brought together 58 participants, 30 of whom were women, representing various public-sector institutions.

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: 26 January 2026

Location: Pristina, Kosovo

Number of participants per country: Kosovo 58

Total number of participants: 58

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

During the training, a series of lectures was delivered by experienced trainers in transitional justice. The sessions covered topics such as the documentation of war crimes in international media; the collection of evidence on war crimes from institutional and non-governmental sources; 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 Jeta Xharra, Executive Director of BIRN Kosovo; former war crimes prosecutor Drita Hajdari; human rights and dealing with the past expert Ibrahim Makolli; and Labinot Leposhtica, Head of the Legal Office at BIRN Kosovo. All trainers shared their professional perspectives and experiences in war crimes documentation and investigations, as well as the ethical challenges involved in reporting on sensitive and complex issues.

Participants in the training came from institutions directly involved in transitional justice and dealing with the past in Kosovo, including the Institute for War Crimes in Kosovo (IKKL), the Transitional Justice Division of the Kosovo Ministry of Justice, the Government Commission on Missing Persons, as well as law students from the University of Gjilan and the University of Mitrovica.

All participants were highly engaged throughout the training, particularly during discussions on documenting war crimes through media reporting and the historical overview of judicial proceedings related to war crimes in Kosovo. Participants emphasized that impartiality is essential when documenting war crimes and that achieving this requires a deep understanding of the past in order to build peace in the present.

The training session brought together 63 participants, of whom 42 were women, representing various institutions and academic backgrounds.

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: 19 January 2026

Location: Pristina, Kosovo

Number of participants per country: 63

Total number of participants: 63

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

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.

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.