Our Story
The OriginAL is inherently tied to Albanian origins, as its name suggests. It started as an idea aiming to allow young Albanian diaspora individuals to discover the Albanian heritage from diverse vantage points.
OriginAL began in 2022 with a simple belief: the next generation of the Albanian diaspora does care about where they come from, what they often lack is access, community, and the right invitation.
Inspired by heritage-connection programs around the world (from Birthright-style models to other diaspora “(re)connection” initiatives), we built something designed for the Albanian diaspora: a free, curated journey through homeland countries that goes beyond sightseeing. Our aim is not only to celebrate Albanian heritage, but to shape a generation that turns connection into contribution, returning with clarity, confidence, and the motivation for community leadership and local action. We embrace identity in all its nuances, and we make space for each participant to define what “home” means for them.
The response has been extraordinary. In just four years, OriginAL has received 1,200+ applications from 25 countries, showing clear demand for a deeper kind of connection. To date, eight cohorts—257 participants—have completed OriginAL. %90+ of alumni feel that the OriginAL trip was a life-changing experience. Four participants have moved to live in Albania and Kosovo, and a quarter of them have contributed volunteering hours for the program and local organizations. And the impact doesn’t stop with those who travel: OriginAL has reached 10M+ people on social media, helping more young diaspora members see that “roots” can be a beginning, not just a memory.
OriginAL is a long-term investment in people: a growing community of the new generation diaspora who carry forward a sense of belonging, responsibility, and new relationships across borders.
Our Mission
OriginAL’s mission is to build a program that brings thousands of Albanian youth on a free two-week trip to their homeland countries every year that will:
· Connect them to strengthen their sense of Albanian roots, identity, and belonging;
· Provide an immersive cultural and educational experience, and
· Build bridges for Albanian youth to network and collaborate
OriginAL will plant the seeds for its Alumni to stay connected and take on future leadership roles that promote and contribute to the development of their homeland and diaspora communities around the world.
Our Community
OriginAL will change the way that Albanian Diaspora Youth perceive their homeland countries by promoting its people and wonders in the most realistic way. We believe that one of the main obstacles in our path to development is the lack of direct communication and contact between each other. Therefore, by bringing the Diaspora Youth closer to their origins, OriginAL hopes to motivate them to continue to explore their Albanian identity and support for the homelands, as well as maintain long-lasting connections with the Albanians they meet on their trip. OriginAL will encourage participants to take active roles in their communities and to participate in follow-up activities worldwide.
The journey will leave a lasting mark on you, and you will return home a changed and a more committed person.
Our Staff
Sihana Bejtullahu
Co-Exectutive Director
Sihana Bejtullahu, a Master’s graduate in School Psychology and Counseling, has over a decade of experience in Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), specializing in project management with a focus on diaspora, advocacy, youth and women empowerment, and non-formal education. Since 2019, she has been engaged with GERMIN, first as Program Director for Engaging Diaspora Professionals and Youth programs and, since March 2020, as Co-Executive Director, leading fundraising efforts and collaborations with international donors.
Lirim Krasniqi
Co-Executive Director
Lirim Krasniqi, a specialist in Comparative Politics and Political Economy from CEU in Vienna, is a political researcher and policy analyst with extensive civil society experience. Focused on migration, development, and diaspora, he has authored numerous policy analyses and articles. Since 2018, he has been with GERMIN, first as a Policy Analyst and Project Manager in Migration & Diaspora Economic Engagement and, since March 2020, as Co-Executive Director. He has also contributed to research projects on migration and diaspora with various local, regional, and international organizations.
Arieta Dragusha
Communications Manager
Arieta Dragusha holds a BA in Law from the University of Prishtina and has also studied Political Science and Public Administration. With over 15 years of experience, she is a dedicated Communication Specialist skilled in developing effective communication strategies, content creation, and project and event management. She has successfully led campaigns and projects that have enhanced the visibility and impact of organizations she has worked with. Arieta excels in crafting messages for diverse audiences, managing complex projects, and coordinating events aligned with strategic objectives.
Era Ahmeti
Era is currently studying Law at the University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina.” Era previously worked as an intern and was part of the ‘Work and Travel’ program, where she worked for three and a half months in America. She is also involved as a volunteer in student organizations with the aim of serving the benefit of the students. Era, with a passion for work, began her career at a young age and expresses her enthusiasm while working. Within GERMIN she works as a Project Coordinator.
Our Board
Anila Hyka Smorgrav
Anila Hyka Smørgrav brings the international experience of over 25 years in different social and economic environments. She specializes in the telecom sector and IT, project management and contract negotiation, transaction management, digital transformation strategies of enterprises including the development of new products. Anila has worked intensively for both the private and public sectors in Albania, Norway, the USA, France, and Switzerland. She currently holds the post of Engagement Director relating to complex projects at Orange Business Services (part of Orange Group) that manage over 170 French and international corporations with revenues of over 2 billion euros. Awarded by Albanian government “Nation’s Ambassador” and in April 2019 she has been chosen member of the Coordinating Council of the Diaspora. Since 2018 she has been President of the French-Albanian association “Albania”, whose main office is in Paris.
Avni Mustafaj
Mr. Mustafaj was born and raised in New York, U.S.A and has had a lifelong dedication to the national cause of Albanians. The organisation where Mr. Mustafaj has given his contribution through different capacities and as a chairman as well, is “National Albanian American Council – NAAC” (Këshilli Kombëtar Shqiptaro-Amerikan). NAAC has been one of the most vocal and influential organisations before and during the war in Kosovo. Mr. Mustafaj has led both the American delegation of the congressmen and Board members at the Summit of Rambouillet, France in 1999. Amongst other activities he has also met the former President of the United States of America, Mr. Bill Clinton at the White House in order to strategize on sensitizing the US public on Kosova.
Fadil Berisha
Fadil Berisha, an Albanian-American photographer based in New York City, was born in Kosovo in 1960. After a year in Italy in 1968, he moved to NYC at age nine, where he discovered his passion for photography, fashion, and beauty. He studied Men’s Fashion Design and Photography at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Over the past 35+ years, Fadil has photographed celebrities like Halle Berry, Roger Federer, Sharon Stone, Tyra Banks, and Michael Bublé. His work has appeared on networks including MTV, NBC, CNN, and National Geographic. His photos have been published in Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and more. Fadil’s portfolio includes major clients such as Rolex, Estee Lauder, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Lexus, Bulgari, Miss Universe, and GQ. Beyond photography, he is also a philanthropist, humanitarian, creative director, and editor.
Anita Gjidoda
Anita Gjidoda is an experienced e-commerce professional with a demonstrated history of working in the internet industry with more than 7 years of sales experience. Her experience and skills have been crafted in the e-commerce and hospitality industry, at Booking.com and TravelBird, on-line digital learning company called Lobster Ink, and recently Atlassian, a software company with a large emphasis on volunteering placed in the Netherlands. Mrs. Gjidoda was also one of the people who have opened up and (trans)formed the entire Albanian online accommodation market and this has given her so many learning opportunities in being a pioneer in the online industry.
Mark Kosmo
Mark Kosmo is an Albanian-American activist born in Braintree, Massachusetts, to Albanian immigrant parents. After visiting Albania in 1992, he became motivated to support the diaspora, working with the Global Albanian Foundation and serving as an external advisor to GERMIN. He founded the “OriginAL” program to connect the diaspora from Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia, and beyond. A doctor of economics, Mark earned his undergraduate degree in Economics and Mathematics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. His career focuses on international economics, energy, environmental policy, and research.
