Sever Džigurski

Sever is a learning strategist and process facilitator with over 20 years of experience across Europe, Asia and Africa. After growing up as a peace activist during the wars in former Yugoslavia, he has been committed to peace, community development, international cooperation, and organisational change.

Sever joined the Knowledge Platform Security & Rule of Law (KPSRL) in January 2022 as the Head of Secretariat. In this role, he brings a vision for the future of the Platform, coaches the secretariat members, oversees the operations, and works on expanding the KPSRL community.

Sever is especially strong in designing and facilitating learning journeys; qualitative and participatory approaches; personal and organisational change; participatory grant making; and monitoring and evaluation. With extensive intercultural experience across sectors and continents, he is passionate about meaningful participation, creative learning, critical analysis and social change processes.

Prior to joining KPSRL, Sever spent most of his career as an independent consultant, conducting applied research, providing policy advice and supporting programmes of various clients (among other: UNICEF, ILO, IOM, UNDP, UN Women, Council of Europe, forumZFD, Institute for Sustainable Communities, SALTO, RYCO, Child Helpline International, etc.). He also held more permanent roles with international NGOs (organising learning exchanges, coordinating MEL of multi-country programmes, and managing organisational learning) and the Government of Serbia (working on the Planning System Reform and Central Policy Coordination).

Sever also co-founded three local NGOs in the Balkans that are focusing on reconciliation, eco-feminism, and queer activism. Besides, he was a Board member at National Association of Youth Workers (2010-2014) and Provincial Fund for the Development of the Non-profit Sector in Vojvodina (2006-2011); and a Focal Point for Strategic Planning at the UNDP Regional Centre for Public Administration Reform (2008-2010).

Sever studied interior design and holds undergrad in Leadership and Community Youth Work (Jönköping University, Sweden), Bachelor in Communications (Singidunum University, Serbia), and Erasmus Mundus Master in Public Policy (International Institute of Social Studies, Netherlands & IBEI Institute, Spain).