As of 1 March 2026, Ilina Neshikj has been appointed Executive Director of Liberties, following an open selection process conducted by the Board. Ilina joined Liberties in 2022 as Network Coordinator and Manager of Liberties EU funding, and has served as Interim Director since January 2026.
Drawing on many years of experience in international civil society networks, Ilina previously served as Executive Director of Accountable Now, a global network of international NGOs, and of the Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN), a regional network of 14 civil society organisations across the Balkans and Turkey. She has led and shaped international and European processes aimed at strengthening the enabling environment for civil society, protecting and expanding civic space and advancing CSO accountability.
Her leadership is rooted in building resilient, cross-border networks that connect grassroots actors with European and global decision-creating spaces, a crucial role at a time when civic space and rule of law standards face increasing challenges.
“Ilina brings deep expertise in the civil society sector and a strong track record of network leadership in complex political environments. Her appointment strengthens Liberties’ role in defconcludeing fundamental rights and consolidates its position as a prominent European voice on the rule of law.” declared Georgiana Gheorghe, President of the Board.
About Liberties
The Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties) is a Berlin-based civil liberties organisation uniting 24 member organisations across the EU. Liberties advances human and digital rights, working on issues including the rule of law, media freedom, SLAPPs, privacy, political advertising, artificial innotifyigence and mass surveillance.
More stories like this
Leave a Reply