Are you a dedicated university student pursuing studies in journalism and communication within the Western Balkans region? Are you passionate about media, journalism, and the preservation of media freedoms? Do you aspire to work collaboratively with fellow students from diverse cultural backgrounds? If so, we invite you to participate in an exceptional initiative that has the potential to redefine the future of media in our region.

• Who Can Apply: University students of journalism and communication studies within the Western Balkans.
• Application Requirements: Please fill out our short application form focusing on your motivations for participation and your commitment to working together with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds from the Western Balkan region.
• Short Project Timeline: The project's activities will start in November 2023, with three online discussions where we will map and analyze the key challenges of media freedoms in the region. In December 2023, we will search for solutions and future scenarios at our 5-day long Regional FutuRise Media Forum. The common ideas developed by the students will be promoted through online and offline campaigns throughout the region by March 2024.
• Support: Throughout the project, you will benefit from the guidance and mentorship of academic coordinators who will assist in tasks and provide support.
• What You'll Do: You'll work with other students from the region to understand media challenges, think about the future, and create a common scenario about the future of media in our region. In the next step, you will plan and organize a campaign to promote the future you envisaged for the media.

Key Dates:

Application Deadline: 27th October 2023.

Notification of Acceptance: 31st October 2023.

Project Start: November 2023.

Regional FutuRise Media Forum: December 2023.

Public Campaign: December 2023 - March 2024.

Benefits of Participation:

• Shape and influence the future of media in the Western Balkans.
• Collaborate with peers representing diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Contribute to the development of future scenarios and solutions for our region's media landscape.
• Advocate for media freedom and freedom of speech.

Eligibility Criteria:

• University Enrollment: Applicants must be currently enrolled as full-time university students pursuing a degree in journalism or communication studies at the University of Shkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi”.
• Motivation Letter: Applicants are required to submit a clear and concise motivation letter (300 words or less) explaining their reasons for wanting to participate in the project and their commitment to collaboration with peers from diverse backgrounds.
• Language Proficiency: Proficiency in English is required, as project activities and discussions will be conducted in English.
• Availability: Applicants should commit to actively participating in all project activities, including online discussions, the Regional FutuRise Media Forum in December 2023, and the public campaign phase until March 2024.
• Willingness to Collaborate: A strong willingness to work collaboratively with students from various cultural backgrounds and contribute to a harmonious team dynamic.

How to Apply:

To be part of this exciting project, fill out our short application form: https://forms.gle/ZT43uG5THC4UoRde8

Application deadline: 27th October 2023, 23:59 CET

This is your chance to make a real difference in our region's media. We hope you will join us!

This program is supported by the Netherlands Fund for Regional Partnership (NFRP) - Matra programme.