Meet the Four New Participants of the Kosovo-Serbia Fellowship

Fellowship News Reconnection

As part of the new generation of the Kosovo–Serbia Fellowship Programme, Heartefact has selected four participants who will explore different aspects of Kosovo–Serbia relations and work on developing new and constructive narratives. The thematic focus of this cycle is on the economic dimension and opportunities for economic cooperation, as well as youth-led initiatives aimed at reconciliation and cooperation between the two communities.

During the three-month research period, the participants will have the opportunity to spend one month in Kosovo or Serbia. As part of the programme, they will engage with different perspectives, develop their research, and through their work contribute to examining dominant narratives and creating new perspectives.

The four selected participants from Kosovo and Serbia are:

Aleksandar Šljuka

Aleksandar Šljuka is a Project Manager at New Social Initiative (NSI), a civil society organization based in North Mitrovica, working with Kosovo Serb and other minority communities on advocacy, monitoring, and trust-building. Šljuka holds a Master degree in International Affairs from the University of Belgrade and is currently pursuing a PhD in International and European Studies as an OSCE scholar.

His research project examines how the broader impasse in Kosovo–Serbia relations shapes the everyday economic conditions in these two communities, using a parallel comparative design. Rather than focusing on direct trade between northern Kosovo and the Preševo Valley, the project analyzes how similar structural constraints, such as administrative barriers, financial limitations, regulatory ambiguity, and institutional uncertainty, manifest separately in each context, and how economic actors in each area have developed similar adaptive responses.

Key words: international relations, economy

Vjosa Çerkini

Vjosa Çerkini is an award-winning journalist, investigative reporter and documentary filmmaker. She works internationally on human rights, women’s rights, conflict, organized crime, and social justice, contributing to Deutsche Welle, SWR, ARTE, ZDF and MDR. She is the European Representative of Women’s Voices Now, a Los Angeles-based organization supporting women filmmakers worldwide. She mentors young women and girls in journalism and documentary filmmaking across Europe and Africa. In 2025, she was recognized as a Trustbuilding Media Champion for promoting dialogue and understanding between Serbs and Albanians.

This project documents youth-led reconciliation practices between Kosovo and Serbia, examining how these efforts are framed or omitted in mainstream media narratives on both sides. The research will focus particularly on civil society, independent and local media, local and minority communities, memory culture, and perspectives that are often underrepresented in dominant political and media discourse. The project is developed in collaboration with Maria Popović.

Key words: media, reconciliation

Maria Popović

Maria Popović is a journalist, editor and civil society professional with more than 20 years of experience in journalism and media. She is the Editor-in-Chief of the independent local news portal Pravo u centar and a co-founder of the civil society organization Centre for Growth and Development. Her work focuses on public-interest journalism, local accountability, human rights, media freedom, transparency and community issues. She has extensive experience in reporting, editorial coordination, investigative and field-based journalism, as well as cooperation with civil society organizations and media networks. Through her work, she is particularly interested in how media narratives shape public understanding of sensitive social and political issues and how local and underrepresented voices can be included in public discourse.

The project documents youth-led reconciliation practices between Kosovo and Serbia, examining how these efforts are framed or omitted in mainstream media narratives on both sides. The research will focus particularly on civil society, independent and local media, local and minority communities, memory culture, and perspectives that are often underrepresented in dominant political and media discourse. The project is developed in collaboration with Vjosa Cerkini.

Key words: media, journalism, inter-ethnic relations

Sefer Zogaj

Sefer Zogaj is an economic journalist and public policy researcher. He works as a journalist at Gazeta Express and is a contributor to Sbunker, a critical media platform in Kosovo, and Monitor, a leading economic magazine based in Tirana, where he contributes to its Kosovo coverage within the Western Balkans section. He holds a master’s degree in Marketing at the University of Pristina. Zogaj is also the author of Silent Stories, a documentary exploring economic challenges, workers’ rights, and social justice, and the coordinator of IdeoNgritja, a platform dedicated to protecting the rights of private-sector workers.

The research project examines the economic dimension of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, focusing on how political tensions shape economic development, regional cooperation, and public perceptions, a dimension which

remains underexplored in public discourse and media narratives. Through data analysis, expert interviews, and policy review, the project aims to produce evidence-based reporting that contributes to a more informed public debate on how economic factors can either reinforce division or facilitate reconciliation in the Western Balkans.

Key words: international cooperation, economy, reconciliation

The program was implemented within the project Fostering Cross-border Dialogue and Civic Engagement, carried out by Heartefact with the support of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

There's more

They Are All Gone Directed by Andrej Nosov Performed at the International Theatre Festival MESS in Sarajevo

The production They Are All Gone, written by Doruntina Basha and directed by Andrej Nosov, was performed on 10 October as part of the 66th International Theatre Festival MESS in Sarajevo, one of the most prominent and longest-running international theatre festivals in this part of Europe. The cast includes Mirjana Karanović, Svetozar Cvetković, Alban Ukaj, and others.

Award-winning Heartefact production How I Learned to Drive presented at TXT Festival in Naples

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Boost Grants: Building stronger ways of working

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“Buried Wonders” at Hartefact House on 7, 8 and 9 October

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Meet the Four New Participants of the Kosovo-Serbia Fellowship

As part of the new generation of the Kosovo–Serbia Fellowship programme, Hartefakt has selected four participants who will explore new and constructive narratives in the region. This cycle focuses on topics such as economic cooperation, interethnic dialogue, reconciliation and the media.

Second Sarajevo Theatre Showcase: Seven productions from the region presented to the European theatre community

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Interaction

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The Second Cultural Nexus Held: Independent Voices, Shared Futures

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Queer Art Showcase: Eight Stories by Regional Artists Taking Shape

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From Heartefact’s Playwriting Competition to the Stage: “The Woman Ties the Ponytail” Premieres at Belgrade Drama Theatre

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For the Third Consecutive Year, Heartefact Takes a Group of Young People from Serbia to DokuFest

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Rehearsals Begin at Heartefact House for a New Swedish Co-Production Directed by Andrej Nosov, Starring Swedish Actor Nils Wetterholm

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Legacy of Resistance

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Building Strong Organizations Means Building a Stronger Cultural Sector

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Culture for Democracy: Organizations Supported through the Job Shadowing Call 2026

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Awarded 9 Grants under the Human Rights Leadership Program for 2026

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On Wounded Spaces, Emerging Culture of Remembrance, and a European Metropolis during War

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Learning That Stays: How Job Shadowing Helps Cultural Organizations in North Macedonia Grow

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Bringing Divided Communities Back Together In The Balkans

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This June, Heartefact House celebrates its fourth anniversary!

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Annual Gathering of the Human Rights Leadership Program Alumni Community

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Open Call For Participation In The Dokufest Visiting Program 2026

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No Apologies! Balkan Tour: What if Kurt Cobain had been a trans woman?

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Hamam Internacionala – Under the Domes

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Supporting Albanian-Language Playwrights: The Playground Mentorship Programme Begins

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No Apologies! in Belgrade: Heartefact and Atelje 212 present a performance about memory, music and queer histories

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No Apologies! in Skopje: a gathering of the queer communityaround performance, visibility and alternative archives

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Open call for the residency programme in kutná hora, Czechia

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Call for Applications for Job Shadowing Program

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Serbian journalists visit Pristina: exchange and strengthening of regional cooperation

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No Apologies! comes to Prishtina: Emma Frankland’s acclaimed queer performance arrives at Termokiss

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South-East Satellite BEYOND Brings Europe and the Western Balkans Together in Skopje

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European and Regional Cultural Actors Gathered in Skopje

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Three cultural advocacy projects selected for support through the Advocacy Grants Scheme

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A Triumph for Heartefact in Rijeka

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Norwegian Premiere of “They are All Gone” at the International Ibsen Scope Festival

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The launch of the Queer Art Academy program in Belgrade

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Dialogue and Exchange: Building a shared foundation for a stronger voice of the Independent cultural scene

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New Encounters in Pristina: Launch of the New Generation of the Kosovo–Serbia Fellowship Program

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Building Bridges Through Media: The Kosovo-Serbia Visiting Program

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Uncle’s Abuse During Driving Lessons: Italian La Lettura on the play “How I learned to Drive”

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Heartefact Returns to the Milan Triennale – “How I Learned to Drive” on Stage for Italian Audiences

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Introducing the New Cohort: Five Kosovo-Serbia Research Fellows Selected

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Beyond Borders: Join Us in Shaping the Future of Independent Culture in Skopje 2026

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Open Call for Playwrights: Playground for Emerging Playwrights – Kosovo

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The Regional VIBE Program Continues to Connect Young People: Visits in Podgorica, Belgrade, and Tirana

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“Quiet Hours from Two to Six” – A New Play on the Heartefact House Repertoire

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Culture for Democracy: Supported Projects within the Call for Cultural and Artistic Project Implementation in Serbia

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Call for Concept Notes: BOOST GRANTS (Republic of North Macedonia)

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Extended Application Deadline for Queer Art Academy Program

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CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS: GRANTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING

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Director Tara Mitrović at the Playground Residency in London

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Audience Development Workshop was held in Veles

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Human Rights Leadership Program Seminar Was Held

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Call for Project Proposals: Grants for the Implementation of Artistic Projects by Young and/or Emerging Artists (My First Time)

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Call for Project Proposals: Artistic Grants for the Implementation of Cultural and Artistic Projects

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Heartefact’s Kosovo-Serbia Visiting Program in Pristina from December 3 to 6

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Heartefact’s Play “They Are All Gone” Directed by Andrej Nosov Premieres in New York

After its Belgrade premiere in May this year at the Heartefact House and its Sarajevo premiere in November at the Sarajevo War Theatre SARTR, the play “They Are All Gone”, written by Doruntina Basha and directed by Andrej Nosov, had its New York premiere from December 4 to 7, 2025 — with as many as five performances.

OPEN CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS: Audience Development Workshop

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Premiere of the play “Art&Money” at Heartefact House

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Premiere of the play “Art&Money” by Swedish director Freja Hallberg at Heartefact House

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We are looking for the Regional Communication Lead!

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Heartefact Fund is looking for the Financial and Administrative Grant Assistant!

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Sarajevo Premiere of the Play “They Are All Gone” Held at SARTR

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Playground Workshop for the Development of the Play “Don’t Run Hamlet” by Francesca Garolla Held at Heartefact House

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Playground Workshop for the Development of the Play “…lead us not into temptation…” by Mark Oltean Held at Heartefact House

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Open Call: Internship at Heartefact Institute

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In Belgrade, we brought together activists from Kosovo during a four-day visit dedicated to women’s rights!

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12th Bašta Fest: All we need — connection, dialogue, and art!

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Strengthening the Independent Cultural Scene – the public discussion held in Skopje

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CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS: ADVOCACY GRANTS (REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA)

The Culture for Development is announcing a Call for Advocacy Grants Scheme to empower independent cultural organizations in the Republic of North Macedonia to address urgent challenges and advocate for long-term, systemic improvements in the cultural sector. The purpose of this call is to support initiatives that strengthen dialogue with decision-makers, mobilize communities, and foster cross-sector collaboration, thereby improving operational conditions and financial sustainability of the independent cultural scene.

Open Application Call for Kosovo–Serbia Bridge Fellowship Program

Heartefact is pleased to announce an ongoing open call for the Kosovo-Serbia Bridge Fellowship Program – a cross-border initiative that supports young professionals, researchers, and creatives from Kosovo and Serbia who are eager to build new and constructive narratives about the relations between the two societies. Unlike previous editions, this year’s call will remain open year-round. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and fellows will be selected according to the quality, originality, and potential impact of their proposed research and action plans.

Young People from Serbia Explore Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Novi Pazar through the Regional VIBE Program

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Workshop “Personal Story as the Inspiration for a Theatre Play” Held at Heartefact House

From September 26 to 29, 2025, the playwriting workshop “Personal Story as the Inspiration for a Theatre Play” was held at Heartefact House in Belgrade, marking the final activity of the two-year project “Fabulamundi – New Voices.”

Pančevo Film Festival: Brave Cinematic Voices Driving Social Change

As part of the “Culture for Democracy” project, supported by the Government of Switzerland, the Pančevo Film Festival was officially opened last week in Pančevo. The ninth edition of the festival reaffirmed PAFF’s reputation as a platform for auteur cinema, social dialogue, and the promotion of young artistic voices.

CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS: GRANTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC PROJECTS (REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA)

The Culture for Development project is announcing the Second Call for the Artistic Grant Scheme for project proposals to allocate grants for the implementation of artistic and cultural projects in the Republic of North Macedonia. The objective of this call is to support the development and implementation of socially relevant and culturally enriching contemporary artistic projects that promote diversity in artistic practices and expressions, address critical social issues, and foster community development.

Culture for Democracy: Supported Projects within the Boost Grants Call

As part of the Culture for Democracy (CfD) project, Heartefact launched the Boost Grants call on June 9, 2025, to support established cultural and artistic organizations in Serbia. The goal of this call was to strengthen the organizational capacities and resilience of independent cultural actors through long-term support, enhanced strategic development, and improved financial sustainability.

Radical Optimism from a Kosovar Hill — an original text by director Tara Manić about Dua Lipa’s concert in Pristina

We are publishing the original text “Radical Optimism from a Kosovar Hill” by director Tara Manić, first released on September 4 in Nedeljnik. Tara wrote the text upon her return from Pristina, where, as part of our Kosovo–Serbia Visiting Program, she attended a concert of today’s major pop star — Dua Lipa. We are sharing the text in full.

The final networking event of the project Voices from the margins was held

From 4 to 6 September 2025, the final networking event of the Voices from the margins project took place in Belgrade. During the three-day visit to Belgrade, the programme participants—young activists from all over Serbia—had the opportunity to tour several relevant non-governmental organizations, and meet other activists.

CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS: INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT GRANTS (REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA)

The Culture for Development project is announcing the second Call for Institutional Grants Scheme to support well-established cultural organizations in the Republic of North Macedonia. The objective of this call is to strengthen the organizational and financial capacities of these organizations by providing financial resources, infrastructural support and capacity building activities. This intervention seeks to enhance organizational stability, ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience within the cultural sector.

The First Sarajevo Theatre Showcase Presented Numerous Young Artists to the Regional and European Theatre Public

From September 12 to 15, Sarajevo hosted the first edition of the Sarajevo Theatre Showcase, an annual professional event that provides a significant development platform for theatre professionals from Southeast Europe. The Showcase is organized by cultural organizations and theatres from five countries: Sarajevo War Theatre SARTR, Heartefact from Serbia, Ulysses Theatre from Croatia, Binario Vivo from Italy, Para Film&Theatre from Norway, and Realstage from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Exhibition of Personal Stories from Marginalized Communities “There’s Room for Everyone” Opened at Heartefact House

The exhibition “There’s Room for Everyone”, part of the campaign of the same name, was officially opened on Thursday, September 4, in the lobby of Heartefact House and will be available to visitors until the end of September. Photographs of various marginalized communities in Serbia, staged inside an elevator, are accompanied by personal testimonies of participants, highlighting that diversity should not be a reason for exclusion, but rather an opportunity for solidarity.

Students from Serbia visited the Short Theatre Festival in Rome within the European project Fabulamundi – New Voices

As part of the final phase of the European project Fabulamundi – New Voices, in which Heartefact and partners from about ten countries have been participating over the past two and a half years, we organized a visit of students from Serbia to the partner festival Short Theatre in Rome. The visit took place from September 5 to 7, during the 20th anniversary edition of this renowned festival.

The project “Culture for Development” announces to the public the names of the projects that received support within the first call!

The grants for cultural and artistic projects are awarded for the development and implementation of socially relevant contemporary art projects that contribute to the enrichment of culture and promote diversity in artistic practices and expressions, address critical social issues, and encourage community development.

Young Artists and Activists from Serbia Visited Festivals in Pristina and Prizren as Part of Heartefact’s Visiting Program

As part of Heartefact’s Kosovo–Serbia Visiting Program, we organized a visit in early August to festivals in Pristina and Prizren for a group of young artists and activists from Serbia. During the visit, the participants had the opportunity to attend three major cultural events in Kosovo – the 24th edition of the DokuFest International Documentary Film Festival in Prizren, the 6th edition of the Sunny Hill music festival in Pristina, and the 5th edition of the Autostrada Biennale, an international contemporary art festival.

OPEN CALL: GRANTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING (REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA)

Public presentation of the play Doughnuts held as part of the New Voices workshop

On Sunday, July 6, a public presentation of the play Doughnuts (Buhtle) was held at Heartefact House, marking the conclusion of the four-day Playground for New Voices workshop. The workshop took place within the European project Fabulamundi: New Voices, which Heartefact implements with partners from nine European countries. It was led by director and playwright Patrik Lazić, in collaboration with emerging playwright Jelena Krdžavac, the acting ensemble, and translator Olja Petronić.

Exploring and developing contemporary drama through process: Doughnuts by Jelena Krdžavac in the spotlight of the Playground workshop

As part of the Fabulamundi project, implemented by Heartefact in collaboration with partners from nine European countries, the Playground workshop is taking place in Belgrade from July 3 to 6. Led by director and playwright Patrik Lazić, the workshop brings together a cast of actors and emerging playwright Jelena Krdžavac to explore and further develop her play Doughnuts (Buhtle), which was shortlisted in last year’s Heartefact Competition for Best Contemporary Socially Engaged Drama.

Culture for Democracy: Supported Projects within the Call for Cultural and Artistic Project Implementation in Serbia

An exceptional response—totaling 273 applications—reflects the critical position of the cultural sector in Serbia in the context of the current political and social climate. Based on the Commission’s evaluation, 22 projects have been selected for support, with a total budget of 21,500,000.00 RSD. Although this amount exceeds the originally planned budget for this call, we believe that, amid the ongoing crisis and with public calls for cultural funding either canceled or indefinitely postponed, such support is more necessary than ever.

Artistic Residency and Public Presentation of Gaelle Axelbrun’s Play Held as Part of the Playground Project

From June 22 to 28, 2025, an artistic residency of French playwright Gaelle Axelbrun took place at Heartefact House in Belgrade, as part of the European project Playground. During this intensive seven-day working period, Gaelle, together with director Tara Manić, translator Olja Petronić, and the acting ensemble—Nevena Kočović, Jana Bjelica, and Andrej Nježić—explored the dramaturgical and performative potential of her play Far from the Mud in Which We Sink into Sleep.

Residency of French Author Gaelle Axelbrun in Belgrade as Part of the Playground Project

From June 22 to 28, 2025, the Heartefact House in Belgrade will host a residency for French playwright Gaelle Axelbrun as part of the European project Playground. This intensive seven-day residency, organized by Heartefact, is part of an international collaboration focused on the development of contemporary dramatic texts by emerging European authors.

First Seminar for Youth from Serbia Held as Part of the Regional VIBE Program

From June 20 to 22, 2025, Heartefact organized a three-day seminar for young people from Serbia in Belgrade as part of the regional program VIBE – Connecting Young People. The program brings together youth from Serbia, Montenegro, and Albania with the aim of strengthening regional cooperation and exchange. Designed as a space for learning, dialogue, and connection, it focuses on human rights, regional cooperation, the shared history of the region, and reflections on the future that young people wish to shape through activism and civic engagement.