The Youth Community Journalism Initiative (YoCoJoin) is launching its training program on youth-driven community journalism. This three-day program addresses the current challenges within the media industry and tackles the pressing issue of “news deserts”—communities, whether rural or urban, with limited access to the kind of credible and comprehensive news that sustains grassroots democracy. Additionally, this program aims to reshape the landscape of newsrooms with the experiences of YoCoJoin.
YoCoJoin is committed to enhancing diversity and representation in media by equipping local outlets with essential skills on how to include young people in the newsrooms. Through this initiative, we aim to foster journalism that captures the experiences of diverse voices across Europe, especially in areas lacking robust media coverage.
The workshops will be held in Tilburg (The Netherlands) and Ljubljana (Slovenia) during the course of 26-30 March 2025, with participants assigned to the location closest to them. Selected organisations will join a growing network of media innovators dedicated to bringing to life youth-driven community journalism and countering the spread of news deserts across Europe.
The immersion workshops in Ljubljana (Slovenia) and Tilburg (The Netherlands) are designed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively engage local youth through media. Through a combination of presentations, workshops, and group activities, participants will leave with practical skills, action plans, and strategies for fostering youth involvement in media based on YoCoJoin experience.
Participation is fully funded, with grants available to assist with travel and accommodation costs. Beyond the immersive training, each participating organisation will develop an action plan to incorporate youth-driven community journalism into their work, supported by YoCoJoin experts.
Who should apply?
Journalists working for media organisations in the European Union and EU accession countries that are interested in integrating youth-focused community journalism into their working mechanism. Selected journalists will be invited to participate in workshops held in Tilburg or Ljubljana (based on proximity and participant preferences).
Application process:
Interested journalists working for media organisations must submit the following:
- A motivation letter explaining their interest in the project
- A profile of their organisation
- CV.
You can apply at the following link.
For further details on eligibility, application requirements, and deadlines, visit this link.
The YoCoJoin Project is proudly co-funded by the European Commission under the Creative Europe program, supporting initiatives that enhance cultural and creative sectors throughout Europe.
