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Journo Birds

Journo Birds Helping you reach more people through powerful storytelling. We are based in Moldova and Estonia.

With 20+ years of international media experience, we craft compelling stories that amplify your mission. 🎬✨
📩 Message us to collaborate! Journo Birds is a team of journalists and storytellers helping good people stand out and reach more people.

07/02/2025

Lots of big fashion names are coming out of Moldova!
Julia Allert IONEL

This story took me to unexpected places.
I wanted to write about Moldovan fashion and thought it would be a short story about winter coats or small studios.

But actually, I ended up writing about Hollywood stars and Paris fashion awards, and we even visited a Soviet clothing factory that makes high-fashion products that are shipped to Germany, Italy, and France every day.

I mean. I love storytelling in Moldova. You never know where it takes you.

Thank you,
Agenția de Investiții din Moldova
Moldovan Brands Runway
Emerging Europe
Innovate Moldova

06/02/2025

The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer is out, and I’m drawing conclusions.

Yes, it’s disheartening that trust is low and people feel pessimistic about the future.

Only one in three believes the next generation will be better off than today!

But here’s something interesting: Compared to NGOs, governments, and journalists, businesses are the only institutions seen as both competent and ethical.

I see opportunities here. In the end, trust isn’t just about who receives it—it’s about what they do with it.

What do you think? Are you worried?

05/02/2025

Wanted: A Foreign Entrepreneur for a Unique IT Business Experiment!
We’re working on a story to uncover what it’s really like to open an IT business in Moldova—a country with one of the most entrepreneur-friendly tax systems in the world.

🔹 7% flat tax—that’s it! No corporate income tax, no payroll tax, no social security charges, no medical insurance fees, no local taxes, no real estate tax. Just one simple rate.

💡 Sounds too good to be true? The problem is, almost nobody outside Moldova knows about it.

So here’s our bold proposal:

We’re looking for a foreign entrepreneur (anyone outside Moldova) who owns an IT business and is willing to test this system for real.

✅ We’ll cover all the costs to set up your business.
✅ The entire process happens online—you won’t even need to leave your desk.
✅ You’ll help us document the experience, and in return, we’ll make you famous!

🚀 Want to be the face of this story?

📩 Reach out now:
📧 Email: [email protected]

Know someone perfect for this? Share this with them!

Let’s make this happen! 🎬✨

02/02/2025

What if you only wanted a good story and nothing else from your content agency?

Even if the story is great. They visit many places, speak to many people, and put a lot of soul into telling it. You are happy, the agency is happy. But then it gets published, and—silence.

No matter how good the story is, it won't grow legs and walk to the audience by itself.

Every story or piece of content needs a promotion plan. Who will post it where and how? Who will be tagged? Who will cross-post it? The possibilities are endless and there is always a way!

You must have a plan to ensure it reaches the audience. It won't just happen magically.

23/01/2025

I, Marian, travelled the world and lived in eight countries.

I danced flamenco in Sevilla, backpacked through Australia, analysed the media coverage in Amsterdam, and snowboarded in France.
I studied with 50 journalists from worldwide in Denmark and Germany. I produced for US documentaries.

As a journalist, I have spoken to hundreds of people over two decades in Estonia and Moldova.

I saw many smart, well-intended and mission-oriented people who worked hard in silence everywhere I went. They didn't speak about their work, secretly hoping the world would take note, but the biggest reward they would get was the feeling of fulfilment and a "thank you" from those they helped. This held them back from amplifying their work and from growing.

At the same time, those who don’t deserve attention demand it. Those who mean harm are skilled at magnifying their voices. Humans are pulled towards negativity.

I started Journo Birds to help good people stand out. Because if you do good, people deserve to know. And we need to counterbalance the negativity and the lies.

I can help you stand out and make yourself heard through . With me, you don't have to feel shy. We'll tell your story as it is.
No selling or bragging.

Message to work with me.

17/01/2025

Stories really have the power to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. And sadness into a celebration.
Do you agree?
Isn't it like magic?

14/01/2025

Don’t forget to say hi when you meet new people.

10/01/2025

We at Journo Birds can help you create a better understanding of what you do through connecting with people.

It’s worth it!

08/01/2025

Why are some clients surprised that we come up with our own ideas? Does this mean that some storytellers and journalists expect ideas to be given to them?

To us, that just sounds like job half done.

If we propose ideas, it doesn’t mean that you must use them, but a good storyteller always has something to bring to the table.
And if not, they go and scout for it!

23/12/2024

Do you write posts to get others to do something?
That's not how this works.

Imagine a complete stranger walking up to you, asking you to listen to him, and then asking for your money.
Yep.
We have all been in this situation: a stranger comes out of nowhere with a notepad, asking for your time and—as you already know—a donation.
Even if they stood for a noble cause, how often do you stop? You always doubt a little, don’t you? You’re not quite sure your money would go to the right place. You don’t even know the person who is asking for it.

Now imagine a complete stranger doing that online, far away. Would you stop and do what you are told? It's much easier to flip to the next post.

But what if they gave you a gift instead of asking for something from you?

A good story is a gift. It makes you feel like a good gift does. And nobody can ever take it away from you!

Stories are also a wonderful way to introduce you, your team, and activities. They help you be better understood.

The nonprofits we work with at Journo Birds do amazing work. The world deserves to know about it!
Good people need credit, too.

And once people know and trust you, it's time to think about those actions.

Merry Christmas and happy giving, everyone!

(here's an actual proof of soon-to-be-happening gift sharing from our house this Christmas)

19/12/2024

Hi! Marian here.

In Estonia in the early 2000s, I spent my teenage years in a suburb of Tallinn. I remember stabbings and street fights between Russian and Estonian speakers. I remember poverty and post-Soviet education when being overly curious was not encouraged. I was bullied by some of my teachers because I was too loud, too excited, and too much of everything. But I had my big dreams! Like many young people then, we wanted to get away—to the West!

At the same time, our country was preparing to join the European Union. I remember the discussions about "imperfectly shaped" vegetables that we thought wouldn't be allowed to be sold according to EU rules. There were discussions about hunting quotas. The EU wanted to ban hunting wolves and beavers, but we had too many animals because our land was covered in forests.

A couple of weeks ago, I listened to an Estonian diplomat, Taavi Toom, speaking to Moldovan government officials who are now trying to get Moldova to the EU. At the time, Taavi was among the leaders working at the Foreign Ministry of Estonia. He was at the leadership epicentre. As part of the Estonian Centre for International Development project, he now visited Moldova to explain how Estonia joined. And how Moldova is now in a similar situation.

And I get to witness it all again, but as an adult and in Moldova!

Moldova doesn't have the crime levels we had in the early 2000s, but there is a war next door. So, of course, there are differences between these two countries. But I did witness how Estonia turned it all around and is now one of those boring, wealthy, safe places we all wanted to escape to back then.

By the way, I, too, left Estonia and studied and worked in Western countries for six years. But then, suddenly, everyone wanted to come back. People would move back with families, bringing their foreign spouses. And I, too, moved back home.

I am incredibly proud of what Estonia has achieved, and I'm sure Moldova is next.

I summed up what Estonian diplomats tell their Moldovan and Ukrainian colleagues in an article on the Estonian Centre for International Development and in Romanian language on Moldova.org (links in comments).

MoldovaEuropeană Guvernul Republicii Moldova

09/12/2024

A peek inside the studio of Moldovan designer Darya Golneva from .studio

She shared that this building once served as a Jewish school, where kids used to sneak out of class through those very windows.

(We’re working on a story about Moldovan clothing brands.)

29/11/2024

Can artificial intelligence (AI) write a story?

A good story is something AI will never be able to craft, no matter how well we prompt it. Those who think AI will take their job as storytellers don’t know what storytelling is.

A good story plays on the delicate strings that make us human: experiences, memories, dreams and regrets, thoughts and feelings. Only another human can really understand them.

No AI tool will ever be able to describe someone’s day, let alone their feelings. They wouldn’t know what happened to you today. They don’t know what images came to mind. Try asking ChatGPT what matters to you and why. Pointless, right?

Everything beautiful in our world is a non-AI creation. Everything worth writing down as a story is human (even the children’s stories with animal characters are from a human perspective).

You cannot look at a painting AI created and think: “Wow! It speaks to me!” You cannot listen to only a computer-created song and resonate with it on a deeper level.

Storytelling is a form of art. The author collects and reorganises what happens in the world. This helps the reader make sense of the world and, even more importantly, of themselves. A good storyteller asks, listens, and immerses themselves in (human) situations to feel and resonate on a level no AI invention could ever do. They connect with their subjects and look them in the eyes.

Journo Birds is not against AI. It’s a wonderful story editor and a great support for freelancers. It can find typos and suggest missing pieces of information or facts. It can help you reword paragraphs.

In our work, we use Claude as a storyline editor. Perplexity for facts and data (because it comes with verifiable sources) and ChatGPT to translate.

But we would never give the whole story to a computer to write. It kills the vibe. It takes all the flavour and feeling out of it.
Only perfectly written words are left. But that’s not how humans write or live.

A good story is imperfect, like its writer.

(and like this photo below)

15/11/2024

Hiring!

Hello to all the creative and talented people in Moldova!

Journo Birds is looking for writers (1) and video creators (2).

We offer lots of flexibility and creative freedom.

Journo Birds lifts good people through storytelling. We help nonprofits show they work and amplify their impact. See how to apply at the bottom of the message.

1) Writer and journalist (in English):
We are looking for a talented writer proficient in English (Romanian language skill is an asset) with experience in writing articles. The ideal candidate will know how to simplify the complex and make the boring interesting. With the help of an editor, you will brainstorm ideas, plan the story and the sources, and go to the field to interview and write the story.
If you're based in Moldova, curious about learning and people's experiences, and you have a knack for writing, we want to hear from you!

2) Social media Video creator
We are looking for a talented video creator proficient in English (Romanian language skill is an asset) with experience in social media to create engaging short reels. The ideal candidate will have a creative flair and a strong understanding of current trends to capture the audience's attention. With the people and their experiences in focus. You will brainstorm ideas, write the script, go to the field together with the journalist (in Moldova), film, take photos, and edit short video content that aligns with our client's voice.
If you're based in Moldova, passionate about social media and have a knack for storytelling through video, we want to hear from you!

When applying, please start your email to [email protected] with the phrase, "Birds fly high, and so do I!". Attach your CV and a cover letter explaining why you're the best match and what's your work process.

Please share the message, share the love.

Here's a video purely to get your attention:

01/11/2024

Hi! Your Estonian friend Marian here.

"You are probably the only person I know trying to get to the European Union twice in their lives," my partner told me recently. And yes - it's true!

As an Estonian, I remember joining the EU in 2004. I remember the debates around it and the referendum. Now, I am witnessing it all again, living in Moldova.

Estonians received a lot of help from the Finns and the Swedes. Now, it's Estonia's turn to help Moldova.
Do you agree?

If anyone can relate to what's happening in Moldova and give hope to this tiny country harassed and bullied by the giant from the neighborhood, then it's Estonia.
We get it. We know.

"We urge Moldovans to seek help," Ekke Nõmm, the head of the school for diplomats in Estonia, told me two weeks ago. He said that Moldovans should really not hold back now and ask and get all the help they need.

“Moldova has made good use of the open window of opportunity," said Klen Jäärats, the Estonian Centre for International Development head. "But this window can close just as quickly it opened."

And Estonians are helping a lot! Supported by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), they regularly visit Moldova, train diplomats, and cyber experts, and help digitalize the government and the school system.

The Estonian government supports micro initiatives and collaborates with the Moldovan government and NGOs for big projects.

If you're a Moldovan and have an idea, check them out.

(check out the story about the EU referendum and the ESTDEV's activities in Moldova in the comment section).

Because I would love to join the EU, again, with Moldova!

26/09/2024

A year ago, two Estonian journalists—Marian Männi and I, Tiina Kaukvere —had the idea that Moldova should be portrayed more objectively to the world. Coming from a small nation ourselves, we understand the struggle of making our voices heard and being understood. This is the fate of small nations: we must be the most vocal in explaining ourselves, or others will do it for us. Do you think they already know enough? The truth is, they don’t!

Moldovans are the most hospitable people I’ve ever met, but now it’s time to turn that kindness toward themselves. True beauty is born from taking care of yourself. This is the main lesson I learned after a year as a foreign journalist in this country.

Thank you for every like, every follow. It has been a year full of discoveries!

Our one-year project, powered by the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund, has ended, but we hope to continue. There’s a constant need to tell Moldova’s story. We are searching for support to show the world what Moldova is about. Any advice is highly appreciated.

Our stories were published in Moldova Matters, Moldova.org, Fair Observer, Balkan Insight, Postimees, Eesti Ekspress, Euronews, Politico, Edasi.org, Emerging Europe, and more.

Thank you, Stella JS, Vasile Tofan, and Anton Waschuk, for believing in us. Thank you, Elena Vr and Tatiana Namashco, for your efforts to put Moldova on the world map! Thank you, Tiina Rekand, for your support online and offline. Thank you, Maria Gerth Niculescu, for your in-depth, well-written stories. Thank you, Rustom, for kindly joining us with cameras underground, on the ground, and in cemeteries. Vazy Production for flying the drone and taking photos on our hiking trip. True Agency for creating our visual identity. Startup Moldova for footage and support. Thank you to our patient families! And to all the amazing sources who were kind to open up, to not run away when we approached on the streets, in their offices, villages, at the borders - south and north, east and west. Thank you to all the grandmothers who opened their doors. Thank you, Moldovans, for all those heartfelt conversations, smiles, encouragement, and bags of grapes (nobody took "no" for an answer).

Artcor was our base. Among many, many others, we spoke to Nata Albot, Alex Melnic, Alina Ciobanu Events, Nadejda Gori, Fred in Moldova, Ukrainian truck drivers, Viorel Garaz, UNHCR, The UN Refugees Agency Friends, NRC - Norwegian Refugee Council, Katalyst Kitchens, VILA Dorului, Wine of Moldova Romania, Cătălina Plinschi, A. O. Salvați Chișinăul / SaveChișinău, NXNHouse, Yurii Palkov, Asociația Companiilor din Industria Electronică din Moldova, Elena Maevski, European Union in the Republic of Moldova, Janis Mazeiks, Elena Druţă, Zona de Securitate, Natalia Bejan, Bloomcoding Moldova, Mike Butcher, Parkopedia, Sergiu Musteata, UNESCO, Sergiu Prodan, Pasha Parfeni, Catalin Josan, Yuliana Scutaru, Lev Voloshin, Oleg Condrea, Animest.

10/09/2024

We had a question, so we sought answers: What is missing from Old Orhei for it to be included in the UNESCO list?

UNESCO's official response was that they wouldn’t comment directly on the matter, but they provided us with valuable background information about the Old Orhei saga.

�What are your thoughts on this? You can read our full article, now published in Fair Observer and Moldova Matters.

02/09/2024

Moldova with kids: An honest guide

Hey! Marian here! We have two toddlers and live in Chișinău. In our free time, here’s what we do.

When I pick up my three- and six-year-olds from their kindergarten, we usually head straight to the park. It’s nicer to process their after-school meltdown in the fresh air and me holding a takeaway almond latte.

The park Valea Morilor is where my Moldovan man took me on our first walk to impress me. He didn’t think it through. It was February and depressing. But more than eight years later, after heavy renovations and flower planting, all my foreign visitors with kids come here for a stroll by the lake. In the summertime, this is the coolest place to be. This is the Times Square of Chișinău. Except that instead of the flashy screens, there are plants and sand.

If you enter the park from the Telecentru district, you’ll see playgrounds and an old-school outdoor gym, which is a big hit among toddlers. Who cares about slides and swings if you have an old rusty metal pole to grab onto? The smallest kids compete for the bravest to climb to the top of the ladder while parents beg them to stop. Their hands will smell like coins for hours afterward.

On the plus side, the public restroom attendant is nearby and lets kids in for free (but gets judgmental if you forget to greet her demonstratively).

The tricky part is keeping the kids away from the bouncy castles someone has set up next to the playground as a side hustle. Even if I find cash for this overpriced half-an-hour fun, my kids get bored after ten minutes, and I have to spend the next twenty asking them to stay inside the giant inflated bag—and they better enjoy it.

When we feel more adventurous, we head to Rose Valley Park. From Melestiu Street, you can quickly see the skate park and the kids’ favourite attraction—a multilayered climbing frame where kids run up and down like hamsters. Such a simple but genius entertainment that could be Moldova’s trademark invention!

There are tandem swings and a playground for the tiniest humans. We sometimes walk up the lake in the middle of the park and hop on a car-shaped water bike. Exploring this tiny body of water takes five minutes, but then your kids can start chasing down other bikers. Without their knowledge, of course. Don’t worry, life vests are provided.

Longer trips out of the city

If we can, we usually leave the capital on the weekends. Sometimes, it just means renting a simple Airbnb house in nature (hello, an EcoVillage Moldova in Rîșcova). In the villages, we sometimes knock on locals’ gates and ask if we can buy their produce. The kids would climb on tractors and taste the apples from the garden.

Or we would drive to a vineyard. Lately, many of them have built playgrounds. I guess they figured out that people have kids? North of Chisinau, in Crama Mircești, ask the locals about the old self-made potter who only makes black bowls and plates. The vineyard gave him the deal of his lifetime and ordered their table set from him. He happily opens his doors to visitors and talks about his adventurous life.

In the east, by the border with Ukraine, lies a village, Lalova. Near the river, a Moldovan family built a traditional bed-and-breakfast, Hanul lui Hanganu, where we sometimes like to take time off. The owner built most of the houses there by himself. It’s a quiet place (I mean, quiet before we arrive) with a playground and a swimming pool.

Of course, a major argument for my three-year-old is the simple swing, on which she spends hours. Which means that I spend hours there, too. Other highlights include idling horses and cats.

When Orhei Vechi in Butuceni village has outdoor concerts or other events, we stay the night at Eco Resort Butuceni, especially during the spring berry season. My kids can spend the whole morning eating berries, and I can sneak into a hammock to read a book. Or we can dip into the pool. But since there aren’t any pool floats for the kids, and I always forget them at home, this option is less relaxing.

When we have guests, we sometimes take the ferry to the other side of the river Nistru. It’s free, and you can take your car from one village, Molovata, to another, Molovata Nouă, with it.

You do have to pass a young teenage guy with a Russian flag sewn on his uniform, but officially, it’s Moldovan territory, so there’s nothing to worry about. We would go to a hotel, VILA Dorului, with a heated pool. Last year, we went swimming there in late October.

Or, the kids can splash in the river. Or, eat the cherries if it’s the season. You can find wild grapes in the pine forest there. On our way back, a heavy storm prevented the ferry from crossing. So we waited at the bus stop, singing and looking at the branches falling. It was as eventful as a theme park.

(The ferry did leave eventually if you wondered if we were still stuck at that bus stop).

Moldova may not have famous wellness centers (such as Therme in Bucharest, Romania) or marked, child-friendly hiking tracks. Its best-known theme park may be the miniature village filled with goats. The only beaches are bits of sand by the Valea Morilor lake or the river Nistru.

But if the goal is to spend time with family, then you really don’t need more than a few trees, a fun picnic blanket (which I bring everywhere) and lots of snacks. And that usually makes the day for our toddlers.

Edited by Emerging Europe
Also published there with links (see the comments).

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Videos

Moldovan fashion

Lots of big fashion names are coming out of Moldova! Julia Allert IONEL This story took me to unexpected places. I wanted to write about Moldovan fashion and thought it would be a short story about winter coats or small studios. But actually, I ended up writing about Hollywood stars and Paris fashion awards, and we even visited a Soviet clothing factory that makes high-fashion products that are shipped to Germany, Italy, and France every day. I mean. I love storytelling in Moldova. You never know where it takes you. Thank you, Agenția de Investiții din Moldova Moldovan Brands Runway Emerging Europe Innovate Moldova

Ask, and you shall receive. As a journalist, I’ve learned that not all the right people always get the credit. Some spend their time calling, writing newsrooms, and meeting journalists—talking about their work. Others quietly do the work that truly matters. Neither extreme is ideal.If you’re doing meaningful work—spreading wisdom, beauty, and kindness—there’s a healthy amount of sharing you should do. It can start with something as simple as a video like this. Message me if you don’t know where and how to start. I can help!

It’s funny—if I ask someone to write about their achievements, they often feel uncomfortable and refuse. But if I ask them as a journalist to tell me about themselves and their successes, they’re relieved. Finally, someone has noticed them. Finally, someone will write about them. They feel seen and acknowledged. Why do you need someone else to tell your story? Why does that feel more “honest” or more aligned with integrity than speaking about yourself?

This is a little reminder for you today—not just as a human, but also as a storyteller. Sometimes, it’s good to delete the background and focus on what’s right in front of you—the things you can actually see.

Big players can sometimes forget about the small things. Let me be here to remind you.

Moldova may join the EU soon. These amazing consultants at the Moldovan Bureau of European Integration are working hard for it! And Estonia is supporting them. Estonian Centre for International Development

Me, when someone says something is too boring to be turned into a story. Everything can be turned into a story! It’s just a matter of how much you want to. If someone says something is boring, it’s them saying they don’t care enough. And that’s fair. We have every right not to care. Not everyone can care about everything. Just don’t say it’s boring.

Hiring! Hello to all the creative and talented people in Moldova! Journo Birds is looking for writers (1) and video creators (2). We offer lots of flexibility and creative freedom. Journo Birds lifts good people through storytelling. We help nonprofits show they work and amplify their impact. See how to apply at the bottom of the message. 1) Writer and journalist (in English): We are looking for a talented writer proficient in English (Romanian language skill is an asset) with experience in writing articles. The ideal candidate will know how to simplify the complex and make the boring interesting. With the help of an editor, you will brainstorm ideas, plan the story and the sources, and go to the field to interview and write the story. If you're based in Moldova, curious about learning and people's experiences, and you have a knack for writing, we want to hear from you! 2) Social media Video creator We are looking for a talented video creator proficient in English (Romanian language skill is an asset) with experience in social media to create engaging short reels. The ideal candidate will have a creative flair and a strong understanding of current trends to capture the audience's attention. With the people and their experiences in focus. You will brainstorm ideas, write the script, go to the field together with the journalist (in Moldova), film, take photos, and edit short video content that aligns with our client's voice. If you're based in Moldova, passionate about social media and have a knack for storytelling through video, we want to hear from you! When applying, please start your email to [email protected] with the phrase, "Birds fly high, and so do I!". Attach your CV and a cover letter explaining why you're the best match and what's your work process. Please share the message, share the love. Here's a video purely to get your attention:

Green is blending into yellow tones… 🍃🍁 🍂

I’ve noticed that Moldovans love to complain about the weather no matter what it’s like, especially this summer with its extreme shifts from ☀️43°C days to chilly, rainy spells☔️. So, I’m wondering: Is this a Moldovan thing, or do people everywhere do this?

Your small but meaningful support helps us continue this Moldovan journey.🫶🏼 Follow the link: https://buymeacoffee.com/journobirds Thank you!💚