Traveling with Democracy Journeys, it became clear their work is missional. Meeting people in Kosovo and North Macedonia who have benefited from the work of USAID, who helped fund Democracy International, inspired me. If Democracy Journeys succeeds, it helps uphold Democracy International so they can continue their democracy work around the world. If you have space and resources for travel, consider Democracy Journeys. Their Kosovo and North Macedonia trip blends sitting with leading voices, seeing ancient cities, and building community over delicious food and noteworthy wine. It’s worth the time investment. 

When I landed in Pristina, Kosovo, last month, I felt a mix of familiarity and anticipation. I’ve been coming to countries like this for most of my professional life — places rebuilding after conflict, societies working toward democracy. But this time was different. 

I have spent much of my career working with Democracy International, a Washington-area organization that partnered primarily with USAID to strengthen democratic institutions in more than 80 countries. Our work took us to polling stations in Afghanistan, the halls of parliament in Malawi, civil society offices in Tunisia, and more. We worked alongside our partners to advance a more peaceful and democratic world. 

Now, with our new initiative, Democracy Journeys, we’re doing something new — and, I think, equally necessary. We’re inviting Americans to experience democracy through the eyes of democratic leaders of other countries. 

The name Rozafa comes from an Albanian legend of love, sacrifice, and resilience. According to the tale, Rozafa, a young woman, was willingly entombed within the walls of Shkodra Castle to fulfill a prophecy that promised the fortress’s lasting strength. It is said that even as she was sealed within the walls, she asked for her right arm, breast, and eye to remain uncovered so she could continue to care for her child. Her selfless act became eternal, symbolizing the enduring power of women who nurture, rebuild, and hold families and nations together.

My father, an ethnic Albanian who lived in the then Yugoslavia territory of Kosovo, named me Rozafa . . .

In the spring of 2018, Armenians achieved their Velvet Revolution, a peaceful movement that in a mere 40 days overturned Armenia’s previous leader, Serzh Sargsyan, from claiming a third and illegal term in power. What began as a small group of citizens walking across Armenia grew into a nationwide, nonviolent movement. The Velvet Revolution, led by journalist-turned-politician and activist, Nikol Pashinyan, wasn’t just about one leader or one moment. Armenia’s Velvet Revolution was about reclaiming the belief that people, united and peaceful, could demand accountability and make change. 

For Americans reflecting on the state of democracy at home, Armenia’s Velvet Revolution offers powerful lessons not only about political transformation, but about the power of the everyday citizen and the everyday work it takes to have a democracy. 

From the many conversations I had with our Democracy Journey’s Armenian experts and key speakers, there are three lessons I took as being key in making Armenia’s Velvet Revolution widespread and ultimately successful. Change begins with small and individual acts of civic courage, nonviolence is a strategic force, and for resistance to be successful it must be accessible for all to participate.  

Hello from Armenia. 

I’m Liana Sargsyan, and I’m writing to you from the land where apricot trees bloom defiantly in rocky soil, and where democracy—like those trees—keeps finding ways to grow, even when the odds aren’t in its favor. 

When I was invited to be part of the Democracy Journey to Armenia, I said yes without hesitation. Not because I had all the answers, but because I’ve lived through the questions. I’ve seen the rise of youth-led movements, felt the pulse of the Velvet Revolution, and witnessed the quiet courage of everyday citizens who show up—not just to protest, but to build, to listen, to try again. 

A voice that shapes the conversation - our Democracy Expert in North Macedona, Hristijan Gjorgievski sat down with Dr. Ordanoski to discuss North Macedonia’s democratic journey.  

For more than four decades, Dr. Sasho Ordanoski has been one of the country’s most influential democratic voices. He began his career as a journalist in the mid-1980s and in the turbulent 1990s, when the country was carving out its independence from Yugoslavia and independent reporting was both rare and risky. His sharp analysis, fearless commentary, and ability to speak truth to power quickly made him a trusted household name.   

His story is not only about chronicling North Macedonia’s democratic evolution, but about actively shaping it — with words, ideas, and an unwavering conviction that democracy must be defended. 

Dear Travelers, 

We are now at the end of September 2025, and our inaugural journey to North Macedonia, in October, is upon us. The excitement is real, and anticipation high. . The first time is always special, and we’ve had a blast planning this one. Now we can’t wait to welcome our first guests and give them an experience we know they’ll be talking about long after they get back home. 

So, what’s in store when you travel with Democracy Journeys to North Macedonia? We begin in Skopje, the country’s capital and the birthplace of Mother Teresa. Over exceptional meals and a tour of the Old Bazaar, we’ll sit down with some of the country’s most compelling democratic voices—journalists, professors, and former activists who led the Colorful Revolution. . .

As I’ve spoken with potential clients for the October Western Balkans trip, I’ve often been asked, “What will I get from this trip?” Having just returned from our planning trip, my answer has become even more robust and enthusiastic as the Western Balkans—and Kosovo and North Macedonia in particular—have so much to offer.

First – democracy at work. Kosovo and North Macedonia provide incredible context for our current global conversations about democratic resilience. Kosovo, one of the world’s newest democracies, has a political system built on fair representation, minority protections, and coexistence—three pillars central to any democratic society. North Macedonia, on the other hand, has a recent history of vibrant youth movements that have challenged corruption at the heart of government. In both countries, we will dine with leading state builders, activists, and journalists, hearing their stories of democratic change and resilience firsthand. . .

Dear Travelers, 

As we prepare for our journey through Kosovo this fall, I’d like to share some reflections from our recent planning trip in Kosovo that gave me a deeper sense of what awaits you. 

For me, this is more than a professional program—it is a personal homecoming. I was born in Kosovo, raised in a diverse cultural setting, left as a refugee during the war, and later returned. Experiencing this itinerary allowed me to see my country with new eyes. Meeting the people who shaped its modern history and listening to their firsthand stories gave me a fresh perspective on freedom and democracy—concepts I once took for granted, but now understand in a much deeper way. 

Our days were filled with encounters that will soon be yours to experience. We enjoyed dinner at Soma Slow Food, a restaurant set in Prishtina’s Germia Park with a magical ambiance and locally inspired cuisine . . .

From 2022 through 2024, I worked on a USAID program in Kosovo and had the opportunity to visit Kosovo for work. My experience was delightful: I ate in cozy, upscale restaurants with exceptional cuisine, wandered through lively city squares with striking architecture and deep history, and visited a countryside so picturesque it reminded me of Switzerland. I also experienced extraordinary hospitality: colleagues bringing Balkan delicacies to the office for me to try, and one even hosting me in her hometown for a weekend of exploration.

I was generally familiar with Kosovo’s recent history—the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, the Kosovo War in 1998–1999, and Kosovo’s declaration of independence in 2008. On prior trips to Kosovo, I had seen the statue of former U.S. President Bill Clinton in the capital, Pristina, and noted the large U.S. presence in the country through the U.S. State Department and USAID. But it wasn’t until my trip last month to finalize our Democracy Journeys itinerary that I fully grasped the depth of the U.S.’s commitment to Kosovo over the past 30+ years—and why Americans should put Kosovo at the top of their travel list…

I just returned from meeting with our partners in Armenia and finalizing plans for our Spring journey, and I was again struck by the hospitality and deep pride Armenians have for their country. This trip also reaffirmed why we chose Armenia to be one of our inaugural trips. Armenia offers unique cultural experiences, delicious food and wine rooted in tradition, and a rich story of how everyday Armenians work at building their democracy.

Armenia’s culture and history are among the oldest and most enduring in the world. So old in fact, it was the first nation to adopt Christianity in 301 AD. On our Journey, we visit the centuries-old monasteries of Noravank and Haghartsin – places steeped in peace, beauty, and reverence. Its capital Yerevan, where we start and end our journey . . .