Financial support for independent media in the Western Balkans
Five independent media organisations from Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia have received grants funded by the European Union under the Innovation. Media. Minds programme. The grants aim to strengthen cooperation between independent media and public service broadcasters on important regional issues, such as European integration, climate justice, corruption, disinformation and mental health. The projects will cover Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.
Selected grant recipients and their projects:
- · Semper – Service for Media Professional Education and Development / Gerila.info (Bosnia and Herzegovina): The activities of this project, implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia, will focus on investigative journalism that promotes transparency, accountability and protection of natural resources.
- · IDEA Foundation Southeast Europe Skopje (North Macedonia): The project dedicated to climate justice and sustainability explores local community solutions to global environmental challenges.
- · SEETV (Serbia): Implementing activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, SEETV will work on regional stories that promote European integration processes and their better understanding through collaborative investigative journalism.
- · Novi Sad School of Journalism (Serbia): This project aims to combat disinformation through media literacy programs and educational content that empowers the audience to recognize and fight fake news.
- · Creativity Factory (Serbia): Focused on mental health, the project will focus on content that raises awareness, reduces stigma, and promotes open dialogue about mental well-being.
With a total amount of 149,820 euros, these grants support independent media in the creation of content that will be broadcast jointly by partner public service broadcasters and independent media. Their purpose is to promote independence and diversity on key cultural and social topics, promoting regional cooperation and journalism in the public interest.
The European Union’s “Innovation. Media. Minds” programme is implemented by the Goethe-Institut on behalf of the European Commission, with implementing partner DW Akademie. The programme targets public service broadcasters with the aim of improving content, engaging audiences, expanding cooperation and strengthening networking capacities.