What is it about?

Humans of the Balkans is a digital media campaign aimed at highlighting the diversity and universal humanity of those living across the Balkans. The project seeks to start a dialogue to break down the negative political and national stereotypes among the Balkan countries. Humans of the Balkans puts emphasis on the things that unite people, make them proud, and allow them a greater understanding of one another. It also seeks to faciliate a discussion of problems, political issues, and challenges the people of the Balkans face, in a constructive, emphatetic manner.

How it all started – Idea pitch
Updates

TEAM
Aleksandar Gligorijevic
Jovana Jovic
Marko Vuckovic
Milan Petrovic
Milena Petrovic
Vanja Joksimovic
Veljko Jankovic
Aleksandar Gligorijevic

I was a part of “Humans of the Balkans” team as an IT guy, specifically contributing to making the website. I was also involved in organizing and planning activities and events, and more. Besides all of those duties, I have also had a chance to record testimonies, so I met many different people from the Balkans, heard some of their “ordinary” stories and realized that although we may be different and miles away from each other, we are all similar somehow. These things need to be bared in mind. This is why this project is unique.

Jovana Jovic

I am involved in the "Humans of the Balkans" project as a journalist. I actually stepped into the world of journalism quite accidentally. I lik the idea for the project itself and I think that something like this is necessary for the Balkans. While interviewing people you make friendships and find out new things about "ordinary" people, who are not even close to ordinary. It is especially interesting when you talk to strangers and you exchange different experiences.

Marko Vuckovic

I have experience in filming for 10 years now. When I was a little boy, I enjoyed taking home-made movies in which the main actors would be my sea pig and hamster. The thing that has drawn me to filming video is the ability to tell a story in a completely unique way that can not be found in any other media format. This project has definitely succeeded in connecting people of different faiths and showing them that we are together stronger, no matter how different we are.

Milan Petrovic

The moment I became the creator of my first project, an application for learning spelling called Vucilo, I realized that Project Management is genuinely my passion. Since then I have been in this world and I won’t leave it. I'm really happy about all the projects that I and my "Nauči me" organization have finished successfully, but we are definitely the most proud of the "Humans of the Balkans". It all began when I realized that although the Balkans may not be the brightest place to live, that does not need to define it in its entirety. Because in the end - people are the ones who define the countries in which they live. And the Balkans? The Balkans is a small place of great people. "Humans of the Balkans" has been created with a goal to connect these people by telling their stories.

Milena Petrovic

I have been interested in photography since I was a little girl. By being a part of the "Humans of the Balkans“ project, I have managed to be one step closer to discovering photography's artistic side. Behind every portrait of 'ordinary people' there is a story, which is not so ordinary. A picture that speaks more than a thousand words and an accompanying text are the best way to connect people.

Vanja Joksimovic

I am someone who loves a nice word, a quality movie and good music - I love art, in a nutshell. Although journalism is not officially an art, for me it began to represent exactly that at the very moment I wrote my first journalistic text. I found myself in a completely new, unknown world. Thanks to the "Humans of the Balkans" project, I managed to make a special place for all those small stories of "ordinary" people. That's exactly why this project is wonderful.

Veljko Jankovic

I am a photographer and a lover of all visual arts. Although in the past I never liked to photograph people, the "Humans of the Balkans" project made me love it. I think that getting to know people and connecting people through the lens is one of the most creative and beautiful ways to do such an amazing thing.

  • POWERED BY

    Nauči Me

    Nauči Me
  • ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

    Nauči Me (Teach Me, in English) has a mission to create, promote and implement innovations in field of education. Nauči Me does it by using new approaches and modern technology, inspiring self-learning and advocacy for the availability and democratization of knowledge.

  • SCOPE

    Regional

  • LANGUAGES

    Albanian, BCS, Macedonian, English