Balkan and Beyond podcast series of TheBF

Lone Kjelgaard, Chief of Staff of the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team in Kosovo

How do foreigners and people living abroad view the tapestry of the Western Balkans in the Balkans and Beyond podcast series of the Balkan Forum.

We speak with internationals in our region about their insights and perspectives on challenges facing the region. Also, how to nurture constructive conversations about this diverse and dynamic part of the world.

Our special guest for this podcast is Lone Kjelgaard, Chief of Staff of the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team in Kosovo.


Kalina Maleska, Macedonian writer and professor of English literature

The guest of this Peas in a Pod series is Kalina Maleska, a Macedonian writer and professor of English literature whose short stories have been translated into several languages. She teaches Utopian and Dystopian Narratives, Postcolonial Literature and other subjects related to Anglo-American literature at the “Blaže Koneski” Faculty of Philology, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje. We talk about the power of fairy tales and the messages of dystopian tales.


Azra Berbić, human rights, environmental and peace building activist

In this episode of Bold Balkan Women series of the Balkan Forum podcast Azra Berbić speaks speak about dealing with the past, and ensuring how this crucial work can be done while being respectful towards victims’ memories and influence a healing process. Azra is a human rights, environmental and peace building activist working all around Bosnia and Herzegovina. She is a lawyer and journalist.


Gogo Rafajlovski, Operational Director, SEE University TechPark and IP Consultant

In this NextGen podcast episode we speak with Gogo Rafajlovski, Operational Director at the South East European University TechPark and IP Consultant who helps entrepreneurs and innovative startups reach-out their maximum potential.


Erblina Krasniqi, student of journalism

Erblina Krasniqi, as part of Balkan Forum’s NextGen podcast shares her experience with the “Media Smart – Youth Vlog Against False Information” project supported by Smart Balkans, which engages twenty students to join the fight against false information. 


Elion Kollçaku, media and communications specialist

Elion Kollçaku, as part of Balkan Forum’s NextGen podcast talks about the importance of media literacy in today’s society, and how we all need to be aware of the dangers of false information.


Bart Sitters and Thijs van Harten

Bart Sitters and Thijs van Harten are students from the Netherlands doing their internship in Kosovo. They shared their views in the Greening Western Balkans series of the Balkan Forum podcast which focuses on sustainable ideas and initiatives that are helping to address the green transition in the WB region.

Bart, a student of Bachelor Environmental studies came to Kosovo to assist local companies with starting up and optimizing waste water treatment plants.

Thijs, a student of Agriculture Engineering came to Kosovo to contribute to improving dairy farms and provide correct information to farmers to improve quantity and quality of dairy farms in Kosovo.


Arta Istrefi-Jahja, Ecosystem Builder

Arta Istrefi-Jahja as part of the Balkan Bold Women series of the Balkan Forum Podcast, shares her expert (academic and professional) views on how the ecosystem for women entrepreneurs is evolving; the preconditions to an enabling ecosystem for women entrepreneurs, as well as the challenges that they are facing. What strategies and approaches can be employed to achieve success and thrive as an entrepreneur; and the impact that sales, marketing and networking have for women and men entrepreneurs. Arta stresses how critical is family, state and donor support for women entrepreneurs to successfully develop and implement their business ideas/models.  


Arbnor Halili, CT Digital Kosovo

Arbnor Halili as part of the NexGen series of the Balkan Forum Podcast, shares his expert (academic and professional) views on how ICT education, technical and soft skills assist in the employment; the importance for quality ICT tools and services; how can educational system respond to market demands; how can educational systems better respond to ICT development and trends; how can the gaps between teaching and scientific research be reduced, and much more.


Ioanna Lachana, EULEX

Ioanna Lachana as part of the Peas in a Pod series of the Balkan Forum Podcast which seeks to bring people together by finding common ground amidst diversity.


Albana Karapanço, Licensed Attorney

Albana Karapanço as part of Balkan Forum’s Bold Balkan Women Podcast

The podcast focuses on The impact that can be achieved when individuals harness global experiences to contribute to their communities.


Sara in Kosovo


Dr. Hajdi Xhixha, Russia’s soft power in the Western Balkan region


Burim Ejupi, Kosova dhe Agjenda 2030


Teuta Sahatqija, Ambassador, Women in Tech Kosovo

Bold Balkan Women

This podcast series brings powerful voices of Balkan women who are pathfinders and path-makers for other women and for a more equitable society.

Teuta Sahatqija, Ambassador Women in Tech Kosovo

Does AI have the power to decode the centuries-long gender imbalances and societal inequalities that persist? What are its implications in terms of human rights and a future where all are equally valued? With Teuta Sahatqija, we seek to better understand the role of AI in shaping a more equitable and just world.