Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, BIRN
Balkan Investigative Reporting Network is a network of non-governmental organisations promoting freedom of speech, human rights and democratic values in Southern and Eastern Europe.
Directory Profile https://journalismdirectory.org/network/balkan-investigative-reporting-network-birn/
Mission Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence – finances and mentors journalists to produce longform cross-border articles that are relevant to their region. Each year, 10 fellows are selected through an open call, and they receive €3000, editorial supervision and access to trainings and workshops. Their work is publishing on Balkan Insight or the Reporting Democracy platform. Reporting Democracy – A cross-border journalism platform exploring the state of democracy in Europe, with its own network of correspondents and story grants. The BIRN Summer School of Investigative Reporting – Brings together 20 Balkan journalists and 10 international journalists for a series of workshops to enhance reporting skills, develop story ideas and offer networking opportunities.
About BIRN has developed a specific network structure that includes local independent organisations, gathered around an umbrella organisation – Balkan Investigative Regional Reporting Network (BIRN Hub) – a structure that has the advantage of combining local, country-based expertise with unique regional cooperation. BIRN has local organisations in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia, while the Network is editorially also present in Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia, Moldova, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia. Country organisations address local needs and BIRN Hub, registered in Bosnia and Herzegovina, also implements regional and international programs. BIRN Hub brings extensive expertise to journalists in post-communist and post-conflict societies, mainly through sharing the accumulated knowledge from the Western Balkan region. BIRN strives to empower people to access their rights by providing accurate and relevant information and creating opportunities for them to participate in democratic processes. Through high-quality reporting and by creating a pool of skilled journalists, BIRN examines and scrutinises key processes, steers debates and provides the public with impartial and reliable information. The BIRN Network also monitors and advocates for the transparency and accountability of public institutions and enables civil society organisations, CSOs and citizens to influence decision-makers.
Countries Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia
Topics Organized crime, Politics / policy / democracy, Transitional justice, digital rights
Reach Region
Year Founded 2005