About Us

The Balkan Institute for Regional Cooperation – BIRC is non-governmental and non-partisan, fully independent in its operations, based in Tetovo.

The organization is committed to promoting and practicing quality journalism and scientific research in fulfilling of its goals for a society with democratic values, transparent institutions, functional democracy and the creation of a region of cooperation and prosperity.

BIRC is made up of proven experts in the field of journalism and science.

VISION
The vision of the BIRC is to contribute to the building of a functioning democratic state, where every citizen will be guaranteed freedom of speech, movement and other political freedoms. This vision implies a society with good governance, transparent and accountable institutions, free and plural media, an active and consolidated civil society as well as a state where the rule of law functions.

The BIRC has a vision of creating a society of free, tolerant and equal citizens, with a basis for the functioning of democratic principles.

The BIRC has a vision of creating common progressive values at the regional level, by establishing bridges between all factors in social life that will embrace those values.

The BIRC aims to build bridges of cooperation between journalists, civil society actors and experts from various fields in the Balkans. The organization also strives for greater mutual knowledge between citizens and people of the Balkans, without prejudice and stereotypes.

MISSION
To accomplish its vision, BIRC seeks to promote and implement the paradigm of quality journalism and scholarly research in the social and public space.

BIRC will apply the knowledge, experience and best practices of the types that make up quality journalism, such as:

1. Constructive or solution journalism, which doesn’t mean only detecting the problems, but also providing suggestions for precise and concrete solutions to the same ones.
2. Scientific journalism – reporting on science and its promotion as a means of solving citizens’ problems.
3. Analytical journalism – which implies in-depth and accurate observation of all the problems that citizens face.

In addition, scientific research is an important pillar of the BIRC‘s mission, which is used to respond to all social phenomena that are in the public interest.

BIRC’s mission is to create a broad framework for cooperation at national and regional levels, with the aim of promoting open dialogue with all social actors involved in democratic values.

Cultural recognition and promotion of intercultural dialogue also remain an important dimension in the mission and goals of the organization.

Email: [email protected]

 

OFFICE IN MACEDONIA

1. Executive Director:

Bardhyl Zaimi, senior editor and writer

2. Project Manager:

Lorik Idrizi, financial analyst 

3. Finance Manager:

Lulzim Atuli, economist 

 

BOARD MEMBERS 

 

  • Linda Ademi, Enviormental Activist

Contact: [email protected]

 

  • Seladin Xhezairi, senior journalist of BBC

Contact: [email protected]

 

  • Katerina Topalova, senior journalist 

Contact: [email protected]

 

  • Charlotte Stiévenard, investigative reporter and analyst (Greece)  

Contact: [email protected]

 

  • Arben Muka, journalist of Deutsche Welle and university professor of journalism (Albania)

Contact: [email protected]

 

  • Kristi Petrova, investigative reporter and analyst (Bulgaria) 

Contact: [email protected]

 

  • Dražen Simić, investigative reporter and analyst (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Contact: [email protected]

 

  • Sergej Županić, investigative reporter and analyst (Croatia)

Contact: [email protected]

 

  • Serbeze Haxhiaj,  investigative reporter and analyst (Kosovo)

Contact: [email protected]