WeBER project is implemented by Think for Europe (TEN) members who come from 6 Western Balkans partner organisations. Find their position within the project and short bios below.
Milena Lazarević, project manager
Milena is Programme Director of the European Policy Centre- CEP, in charge of the overall programmatic strategy of CEP as well as developing and managing the quality assurance system and processes within the organisation. In terms of thematic focus, she is primarily responsible for the Good Governance and Europe&us programme areas. Milena is a proven expert in the fields of public administration reform, regional development and local economic development, with consultancy engagements including SIGMA/OECD, ReSPA and the World Bank. In 2014-2015, in addition to her work at CEP, she acted as the special adviser to the Serbian Deputy Prime Minister in charge of public administration reform. Prior to co-founding CEP, Milena served for six years in the Serbian civil service, as adviser for public administration reform and administrative capacities for EU accession in the EU Integration Office of the Serbian Government (SEIO) and in the Serbian Ministry of Public Administration. As a Soros scholar, she obtained her BA degree in European Studies and International Relations at the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG), after which she obtained an advanced MA degree in European studies at the College of Europe, on a King Baudouin Foundation scholarship. She later also graduated from the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia and obtained an MA in European Administrative Law at the Law Faculty of the Belgrade University. She speaks fluently English, French, Italian and Bulgarian and has basic knowledge of German. She is married and mother of two children.
Jovana Knežević, Project Manager
Jovana is a Project Manager with experience in managing projects thematically related to the Good Governance programme area. From 2015 to 2018, she was engaged at a regional EU-funded WeBER project, where her main responsibilities included planning, implementing and monitoring project activities, as well as coordinating the work of the regional WeBER Platform and the National Public Administration Reform Working Group in Serbia. She is currently leading the second component of the USAID-funded “Constituencies for judicial reform in Serbia” project and is in charge of project resource and activity coordination, monitoring and reporting. In addition to project management, Jovana has extensive experience in event management and excellent communication skills. She acquired her bachelor degree in International Relations at the Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Belgrade. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Project Management at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade. Jovana is an alumna of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) programme through which she received scholarship of the US State Department and finished a year of high school education in California, USA. Jovana is also alumna of the III generation of the Public Policy Academy within the Libertarian club Libek, as well as a participant of the Youth School of Activism within the Social Responsibility Initiative. Jovana is particularly interested in multi-project management and implementation of software tools in project management. She seeks to further refine and gain practice in implementing PM2 Project Management Methodology. She is fluent in English and strives to improve her knowledge of German. She joined the European Policy Centre in July 2015, following a two-month-long internship.
Miloš Đinđić, Lead Researcher
Miloš graduated from the Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Belgrade, where he continued his Master studies in political institutions and institutionalist theory. He studied European Union institutions and procedures as well as project cycle management as participant in the Leadership Development Programme, jointly organised by the College of Europe and the European Fund for the Balkans, as well as in the FutureLab Europe programme of the civil society organisations gathered around European Alliance for Democratic Citizenship. He completed several internships in domestic and foreign organisations, including the Belgrade Center for Security Policy, Political Academy of the Austrian People’s Party and National Democratic Institute and worked as an associate on the project administered by the European Fund for the Balkans. He is alumni member of the Belgrade Open School, XVI generation of students at the Department of Advanced Undergraduate Studies. He joined the CEP team in March 2012 as project assistant, then continung at the position of researcher. Speaks English and German.
Anesa Omeragić, Communication Coordinator
As a Communication Coordinator, Anesa is helping in spreading WeBER’s key messages to all target groups. Her obligations include direct and indirect communication with the media, event organisation, preparation of press releases, media invitations, all communication related to the event organisation, etc. Her duties also include managing WeBER website – writing reports on WeBER events and activities, designing a graphic, visual, and textual content on WeBER’s website, including quarterly newsletters and printed publications, as well as managing social media profiles and communication through these networks. Anesa has graduated from the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Political Science. She holds a BA with honours in Political Science – International Affairs and she obtained the MA with honours in Political Science at the same Faculty. During her undergraduate studies, she interned at Belgrade Centre for Security Policy and in the office of the Protector of Citizens of the Republic of Serbia (Ombudsman). She is an alumna of XXIII generation of the educational programme Future Studies of Belgrade Open School, an alumna of the II generation of Human Rights Defenders School organized by Civil Rights Defenders, and an alumna of the II generation of Libertarian club – LIBEK’s Public Policy Academy. She completed the courses Applied Rhetorics and Debate course at the Faculty of Political Sciences. Anesa joined the European Policy Centre (CEP) team in February 2017 as an Events and Communication Assistant. She works as Coordinator from January 2019. She speaks English fluently and has a working knowledge of German.
Simonida Kacarska
Researcher
Simonida Kacarska, Researcher
Dr. Simonida Kacarska is a Director of the European Policy Institute in Skopje, Macedonia. She holds a PhD in Politics and International Studies from the University of Leeds in the UK and a MA in European Politics from the Sussex European Institute. She was a research fellow at the Central European University, University of Oxford, the College of Europe and the European Research Council project The Europeanisation of Citizenship in the Successor States of the Former Yugoslavia based at the University of Edinburgh School of Law. Simonida has both practitioner and research experience related to the political transformation and European integration of the Balkans with a focus on national minority policies.
Angel Mojsovski
Researcher
Angel Mojsovski, Researcher
He has also been part of the WeBER team conducting the research for PAR Monitor 2017/2018 and is co-author of the National PAR Monitor for North Macedonia, conducting in-depth analysis of the PAR reform in North Macedonia and presenting the findings on numerous stakeholder meetings and events. In addition to being part of the research team of WeBER, Angel has worked as a researcher on several projects focused on human rights and minority rights, with a particular focus on social rights. He has five years of experience in conducting fieldwork research, working extensively with groups in vulnerable situations, such as Roma returnees and social protection beneficiaries, conducting field research, advocating with stakeholders and preparing analyses on diverse topics in this field. Angel holds a BA in political sciences from the Faculty of Law “Iustinianus Primus”, University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” (Macedonia).
Vaska Ristovska
Project Officer
Vaska Ristovska, Project Officer
Vaska Ristovska has joined EPI in October 2014 as an administrative officer.Since then she has handled the financial and administrative management of several projects including: Institutional and core functioning grant for organisational operation of EPI, as well as development of the programme activities of the Institute; Financial and administrative support to the – (In)equality in social protection:multi-level analysis of intersectionality in social assistance provision – comparative study, Performance Audit and Policy Evaluation: On the Same or Parallel Tracks?, Equitable Ethnic Representation in the State Administration – USAID Civil Society Project, Urgent Reform Priorities Monitor, Combating barriers for exit: Macedonian Roma at the borders, Western Balkans Enabling Project for Civil Society Monitoring of Public Administration Reform and Fostering Sustainable Reintegration of Roma Returnees in Macedonia. Apart from the daily activities that ensure the smooth implementation of the projects, she also ensures the smooth management and the communication with project team and project partners. Vaska Ristovska has a University degree – Faculty of Ethnology, University “St. Cyril and Methodius” Macedonia.
Julijana Karai
Researcher
Julijana Karai, Researcher
Julijana Karai is EPI’s Assembly Member. She holds a MA in Policy and Governance of the European Integration in South-Eastern Europe from the University of Bologna. She has been working in the Secretariat for European Affairs of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia in the field of Political Criteria, specifically on issues related to democracy and rule of law, public administration reform, decentralisation and fight against corruption and in the Ministry of Information Society and Administration.
Julijana was a TEMPUS trainer for Continuing Education in European Affairs with the certificate from the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium and junior researcher in the Regional IPA Project “Strengthening National Integrity Systems in the Western Balkans and Turkey and tracking developments of anti-corruption efforts”. She has been a project manager in the EU funded project “Civic Participation for Local Democracy”, under IPA Civil Society Facility and Media Programme 2014-2015 and a consultant in the UNDP Project “Developing innovative solutions for better access to local services”.
Marko Sošić, Researcher
Marko Sošić is a researcher at Institute Alternative. He graduated at the University of Montenegro, Faculty of Political Science, and has a masters degree in Policy Studies at the University of Edinburgh, UK. He has authored a number of research and monitoring reports in the area of public administration reform, dealing primarily with transparency and accountability of public spending.In the first WeBER project, Marko contributed as a public finance management expert.
Dragana Jaćimović, Project associate
Dragana Jaćimović graduated at Faculty of Political science in Podgorica, specialist studies at the International relation department. For the Government-funded Internship Programme, she chose Institute Alternative, where she started working in January 2018. She worked as a research associate for projects related to public administration reform, in particular to public finance management and public procurement.
Ana Đurnić, Research Assistant
Ana Đurnić is a researcher at Institute Alternative. She graduated International Relations at Faculty of Political Science in Podgorica, Montenegro. She is primarily responsible for project coordination and research in the Public Finance Management – Public Procurement, accountability and preventive part of the fight against corruption. Ana is a member of the Government’s Working Group for Negotiation Chapter 5 – Public Procurement.Ana was also a member of the research team of the first WeBER project.
Besjana Kuci, Project Officer
Besjana Kuci works as a Project Coordinator and Researcher at the Institute for Democracy and Mediation since 2012. Ms. Kuci holds a M.Sc. in Political Theory and a BA degree in Political Science from the University of Tirana. Over the last five years, Ms. Kuci has successfully managed projects on police integrity, strengthening of civil society and public sector approach to anti-corruption. Ms. Kuci’s areas of interest include public institutions transparency and anti-corruption policies. Also, she has extensive experience in youth training on civic engagement activities through online platforms. She is member of the Swedish Institute Alumni Network.
Alban Dafa, Researcher
Alban’s work focuses on public administration reform, security sector reform, and EU accession. Before joining IDM, he served in the Albanian Naval Force as a patrol boat commander, navigator, and junior hydrographer. During his time in the Albanian navy, he was engaged in NATO standardization programs and in efforts to expand the scope and capacities of the Albanian Hydrographic Service. Alban graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science (concentrating in International Relations). In 2016, he graduated from the University of Exeter with a Master of Arts in Politics and International Relations of the Middle East. Alban’s interests include social movements, organizational reform and culture, and Albanian foreign and security policy. He is a keen reader of the scholarship on International Relations theory, Great Power politics, and Middle East politics.
Ina Majko, Research Assistant
Ina Majko works as a Research Assistant at the Institute for Democracy and Mediation in Albania since 2020. Ms. Majko holds an M.Sc. in Environmental Science and Policy from Central European University. She has obtained a B.S. Biology from the University of Tirana. She is an analytical, fast learner with + 3 years of experience managing human rights projects and campaigns and leveraged extensive cultural and linguistic knowledge (Albanian, Greek, English, Italian, and Spanish). Ms. Majko is genuinely interested in the intersection between environmental issues and the rights of marginalized groups. For instance, she researched the racialized urban waste politics in the Roma community and the subsequent problems which arose in terms of health and safety. Her areas of expertise are Environmental Justice, Minority Rights, and Civil Society.
Arbëresha Loxha, Researcher
Arbëresha Loxha is a Senior Research Fellow at Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS), a policy think-tank based in Prishtina. Over the last five years, Arbëresha has designed and successfully lead research focusing on economic development and welfare policy. Her research includes amongst others, topics such as public administration reform, the business environment and investments, labour market, the pension system, migration, remittances and poverty. She has strong capacities to develop (quantitative) empirical analysis which she has incorporated in many of her publications. In addition to GLPS, she is a university lecturer of Management and Economics in AAB College and as a consultant in projects including those with EBRD and National Democratic Institute (NDI).
Arbëresha holds a PhD in Economics and an Msc in Economics for Business Analysis from Staffordshire University (SU) in the United Kingdom; both funded by a joint-scholarship from Open Society Foundation and SU. Currently she is the country researcher of WeBER regional project for Kosovo.
Bardha Maxhuni, Project Officer
Bardha Maxhuni is a research fellow at Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS), an independent, non-partisan and non-profit public policy think tank based in Prishtina, Kosovo. Her area of focus among others includes analysis of Kosovo’s legislation, Public Administration reform, Judiciary Reform, Anti-Corruption.
Bardha holds a BA in Law from University of Prishtina, Faculty of Law and Masters in International Law from American University Washington College of Law, United States funded by USAID Transformational Leadership Scholarship.
After college she has worked as a paralegal at a private law firm where she has expanded her experience and knowledge in the legal field. She has also worked at the Embassy of the Republic of Albania in Kosovo and as a researcher at the Kosovar Center for Security Studies where she has conducted research in the field of international legal cooperation in criminal matters.
Aida Šabanović, Senior Researcher
Anida Šabanović is a Director and Senior Researcher at the Foreign Policy Initiative BH in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Anida holds a Master degree in Economics. She has contributed to FPI’s professionalism and served in many positions in the organisation. She covers the research in public administration, good governance and economic areas. Anida works on projects dealing with European integration, policy creation, capacity building of government institutions, fight against corruption, promotion of human rights and women’s rights.
She has experience in drafting policies and has cooperated with different non-governmental organizations in BiH as well as international organisations. Anida has experience in consultancy and has been author, co-author or contributor of reports, political analyses and texts related to European integration process as well as gender issues. She is one of co-authors of a book chapter Negotiating Political Authority in Bosnia-Herzegovina, which will be published in Research Handbook on Gender and Negotiation edited by Mara Olekalns, Professor of Management (Negotiations) at Melbourne Business School. The Handbook is in the final editing phase and is expected to be published by summer 2020.
Mahir Sijamija, Project officer
Mahir Sijamija holds a Master’s degree in political science from the University of Sarajevo (2018). He currently works as an project officer at the Foreign Policy Initiative BH and associate at the Media and Policy Analysis Centers in Sarajevo, Association of BH Journalists. He is author on the Media Watchdog platform Analziraj.ba and Balkansmedia.org. He previously worked project meager at INFOHOUSE and as an external communications associate at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Sarajevo and UNICEF BiH. He has also been involved in various research projects that stand out for International Republican Institute, Humanity in action, RRPP, UN, CREDI, Media Center and Albany Associates. He has participated in a number of international and national conferences, and has published several scientific and professional papers in the field of political science. He is a member of the UNESCO Advisory Group on MIL in BiH, a Senior Fellow Humanity in Action BH, and a member and former recipient of the Association of Education Builds BH.
Haris Ćutahija, Researcher
Haris Ćutahija graduated from the Faculty of Political Sciences at University of Sarajevo where he also gained MA degree in political science – European integration. He also holds professional qualification degree in political management from the New Bulgarian University. Has extensive experience in managing and working on various projects ranging from the European integration to youth activism and culture. He is columnist on several internet portals as well as a political analyst. He has joined the Foreign Policy Initiative BH team in March 2020 as a researcher.