- MEDIA FOR THE EU
The Balkan Institute for Regional Cooperation (BIRC), in partnership with the organizations Eurothink – Centre for European Strategies and ALDA, implements the project “Media for the EU”, funded by the European Union, within the framework of the civil society program for media participation in the negotiations for North Macedonia’s accession to the EU. The overall objective of the project is to strengthen the capacities of the media to cover, monitor and professionally scrutinize the country’s EU accession negotiation process, contributing to improving the quality of media reporting and better informing the public about the European integration process. The project aims to improve the environment for media participation in the EU accession negotiation process, strengthen the professional capacities of journalists—particularly from countries that are not EU members—regarding the regulations, policies and values of the European Union, and create new opportunities for the professional development of young journalists. At the same time, the project seeks to create a favorable environment for networking and cooperation among journalists and media professionals from the region and EU member states, supporting quality journalism, analytical media writing, and contributing to strengthening pluralism and diversity in the media landscape.
- REPRESENTATION FOR INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT
The Balkan Institute for Regional Cooperation (BIRC), in partnership with the Forum for Reasonable Policies (FRP) and the Institute for Social and Human Sciences—Skopje (ISHS), implements the project “Representation for Inclusive Development”, which is financially supported by the Government of Switzerland through the Civica Mobilitas program. The project aims to raise awareness among both professional and general audiences about the importance of the Bologna Process and its sustainable implementation, with a particular focus on one of its fundamental values—academic and professional mobility. This mobility is considered an important prerequisite for cross-sectoral planning of higher education and scientific activity in the service of economic development, in line with the principle of the European Union’s twin transition—digital transition and the green agenda. Within its specific objectives, the project aims to promote and raise awareness about the methodology of a cross-sectoral approach among civil society organizations, public institutions, the media and the broader public, emphasizing fundamental values such as the right to study, the right to work, and the right to good administration, as guaranteed by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. These principles materialize in the practical value of academic and professional mobility, which represents a key element for the integrity between education and the economy, in line with the priorities of Cluster 3 in the European integration process.
- VOICES OF EQUALITY, DEMOCRACY FOR ALL
The Balkan Institute for Regional Cooperation (BIRC) implements the project “Voices of Equality, Democracy for All”, a project that represents a sub-grant within the “EU Support to the Civil Society Resource Centre – Phase 2”, funded by the European Union.
The project “Voices of Equality, Democracy for All” aims to encourage and strengthen the active participation of women, youth and smaller ethnic communities throughout the entire electoral process at the local level by empowering their voices in the public and media space during the pre-election period, during the elections and in the post-election period.
The project includes a range of activities such as analyzing the current situation, raising public awareness, monitoring local elections and opening public debate, with the goal of increasing the inclusion of these groups in local governance. In practice, this also means strengthening transparency and accountability at the local level.
- YOUTH INCLUSION FOR THE EUROPEANIZATION OF THE BALKANS
This project was funded by the Western Balkans Fund with co-financing from the European Union, and was implemented by the Balkan Institute for Regional Cooperation (BIRC) from North Macedonia, the Center for Innovation and Development (CFID) from Kosovo, and the non-governmental organization “NVO Glas” from Montenegro.
The project aimed to empower young people in the Western Balkans through cross-border dialogue, civic participation and the promotion of European values. The project reached a wide group of young people from the three Western Balkan countries, addressing through an open dialogue between civil society actors and institutional stakeholders the inclusion of youth in democratic processes.
- KDP – BEYOND THE WORD
The BIRC Institute implemented the project “KDP – Beyond the Word”, financially supported by the European Endowment for Democracy (EED). The project aimed to further strengthen the KDP.MK portal while maintaining its core content and contributing to a broader public reflection. The project was implemented during the period 2022–2023.
- STRENGTHENING THE POLITICAL DEBATE CLUB (KDP)
The project implemented by the BIRC Institute, “Strengthening the Political Debate Club (KDP) portal”, was supported by the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) and had as its main objective the expansion of the KDP concept with additional journalistic content that would serve accurate information, objective analysis and interpretation of realities in North Macedonia and beyond.
The project aimed to create a space and a moment of intercommunication across the entire region in the fields of politics, culture and economy. The project was implemented over a period of 12 months during 2019 and 2020.
- SCREENING OF THE DOCUMENTARY “ONCE UPON A TIME IN VENEZUELA” AND A DEBATE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The BIRC Institute organized a special event on the occasion of International Human Rights Day in 2021, presenting to the public in Tetovo the documentary “Once Upon a Time in Venezuela”, provided by the Dutch organization “Movies that Matter”, known for promoting human rights through cinema.
The event took place at the premises of the South East European University (SEEU) in Tetovo and was followed by an open debate with the participation of journalists, NGO activists and environmental experts. The discussion focused on environmental challenges in Tetovo and the Polog region, highlighting the importance of protecting a clean environment as an element of human rights. This project was supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands in North Macedonia.
- TRAINING FOR THE STAFF OF THE INDEPENDENT MEDIA COMMISSION OF KOSOVO
In 2021, the BIRC Institute successfully organized two cycles of professional training for the staff of the Independent Media Commission (IMC/KPM) of Kosovo. The key topics of the training sessions were monitoring and regulation of audiovisual media, with the aim of improving the professional capacities of the IMC staff and ensuring higher standards in the supervision and regulation of media content. This activity represents one of BIRC’s engagements to support institutional and professional development of the media in the region, contributing to a more transparent and accountable media environment.
- MEDIA INCUBATOR
The Balkan Institute for Regional Cooperation (BIRC), as a partner organization with Goethe-Institut Skopje, organized in 2021 the one-day training “Media Incubator” for students, young journalists and representatives of civil society from North Macedonia. The one-day training program included two parts: the first part covered the basics of journalism, while the second part focused on creating (startup) a new media outlet. The aim of the project was to equip young people with skills in professional journalism and in initiatives for creating new media startups.
- MEDIA INCUBATOR – SOCIAL REPORTAGE
The Balkan Institute for Regional Cooperation (BIRC) and Goethe-Institut Skopje implemented the project “Media Incubator”, a three-month training program with relevant modules for journalists and young students in North Macedonia, focusing on social reportage. The overall objective of the project was to strengthen civil society actors and combat prejudice against ethnic or social minorities. The project also aimed to contribute to the reconstruction and representation of social problems and their treatment by combining text and photography, seeking to further develop them and bring them into public discussions. The project was implemented during 2021.
- SHAR MOUNTAIN – THE LAST BARRIER AGAINST ECOLOGICAL CATASTROPHE
The BIRC Institute implemented the project “Shar Mountain – The Last Barrier Against Ecological Catastrophe”, supported by Civica Mobilitas. The project aimed to raise awareness about declaring Shar Mountain a national park, as well as about nature protection in general, as a continuation and a civic responsibility. The project was implemented during 2020–2021.
- “LET US BE CLEARER”
The project “Let Us Be Clearer” was implemented by BIRC in partnership with Radio Kanal 77 and funded by the British Council, with the aim of encouraging sustainable solutions to common civic problems instead of promoting rhetoric that leads to divisions among communities.
