Meet our staff

Dajana Berisha is the Executive Director of the Forum for Civic Initiatives. Dajana joined the forum in February 2013 to manage the development and direction of the Forum including design objectives, strategies and activities. Her previous professional experiences include policy-making in areas such as employment, social affairs and migration in order to support active employment policies combined with economic assistance for poverty alleviation.  Dajana graduated in the field of linguistics and literature, holds an MA in International Migration Policies and Development from the University of Sussex, and was educated in Albania, Great Britain, Denmark and Sweden.

Dustin seeks to continue to build the legend of Kosovar resilience by working to develop climate change civil society in the Republic of Kosovo. Climate change is already disrupting regional Balkan economies and will strain peacekeeping operations. Mitigation of the impacts of climate change in Kosovo requires civil society adaptation and resilience building through a socially just transition into a sustainable circular economy.

Dustin visited family in Kosovo following the 2008 independence declaration while serving as an Intelligence Analyst for the United States Army in Iraq. He returned to Kosovo in 2022 as a prestigious Fulbright Fellow conducting research on the environmental consequences of conflict and climate change adaptation in the Rahovec wine region of the Republic of Kosovo with the Department of Geomatics, Geoinformation, Earth and Space Observation in the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the University of Prishtina. He is currently completing his Ph.D. in Geography and Environmental Studies at Texas State University where he studies climate change resilience and adaptation. He received his B.A. in History from University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in 2014 where he studied border conflict and conflict histories and a M.S. in Environmental Science from West Texas A&M where he studied phytoremediation and analytical soil chemistry. In 2020, COVID-19 upended his career in the American environmental sector, and he began his doctoral studies.

Sefë Govori studied at the Faculty of Economics at the University of Pristina. As Director of Finance, Sefa brings over 15 years of financial management experience to the FIQ organization. In this role, Sefa leads all financial aspects of the organization including accounting practices, budgeting, financial planning and monitoring financial performance.

Before joining FIQ, Sefa held various challenging positions as Project Manager in the International Organization for Migration (IOM – Kosovo), Finance Manager in various private companies.

Avyan is a Fulbright ETA in Kosovo, Pristina, teaching and assisting in various law courses. Along with teaching, Avyan will work on a proposal through the Pristina law school on legal research. As an aspiring human rights attorney, Avyan believes that it is important to grow in understanding and communication by being an involved member of the communities one lives in. With these growing connections and skills, Avyan aspires to become an advocate and global leader in human rights and justice.

Arnis Agushi studies Computer Science and Engineering at UBT. Arnisi joined FIQ in September 2021 as an intern and now assists in the maintenance and updating of FIQ communication channels, while also being the organization’s IT.

Nderim Gerqari is a dynamic professional with a strong academic background and diverse work experience in energy engineering and management. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Energy Engineering and Management from UBT complemented by his high school education in the United States of America. and has gained valuable experience through internships and previous roles.

As a Coordinator at KOSID, Nderim is passionate about sustainable energy solutions and advocates for a shift towards renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. With a collaborative mind-set, he aims to shape policies and strategies that promote a greener and more sustainable energy sector.

Nderim’s diverse background in the industry, including work at a local consulting company and a non-governmental organization, has equipped him with a well-rounded skill set and a deep understanding of energy systems. He is driven by his commitment to creating a cleaner future and strives to be a catalyst for positive change in the energy sector.

Lyra Purrini is an active student in the “Law Faculty” at the University of Pristina “Hasan Prishtina.” In April of this year, Lyra joined the Forum for Civic Initiatives as an intern for Research and Development. She has participated in numerous activities and training sessions related to human rights, leadership, and volunteering, which have greatly contributed to her academic and professional development.

Tringa Tërmkolli is an active student in the “Law Faculty” program at the University of Pristina “Hasan Prishtina”. Tringa joined the Forum for Civic Initiatives in April of this year as an intern for Research and Development.

Yllka Dibrani is an active student in the “Law Faculty” program at the University of Pristina “Hasan Prishtina”. Yllka joined the Forum for Civic Initiatives in April of this year as an intern for Research and Development.