PROJECT TITLE:

Supporting Media and Independent Journalism with a Human Rights Perspective in Kosovo

OVERALL OBJECTIVE:

The overall objective of the Action is to promote freedom of expression and strengthen independent journalism as a pillar for a developed and democratic Kosovo.

PURPOSE:

-To support and build the capacities of young independent journalists with a human rights perspective to produce high quality, innovative, creative stories able to reach larger audiences. -To improve the professional and economic capacities of media organizations and media enterprises; especially their capacities to change traditional perceptions connected to inequality, and their overall capacity to address human rights related issues that groups at risk in Kosovar society face, while reaching society at different levels. -To improve the knowledge, expertise and approaches of leading editors of national and local media and to improve their networks and cooperation with civil society organizations in the field of human rights in Kosovo.

LOCATION:

Kosovo

SECTOR:

Democracy and Human Rights / Education / Media and Communications

DURATION:

01/January/2018 - 31/December/2020

BENEFICIARIES:

Beneficiaries from the activities of the Action include objective of journalists (independent and/or freelance, employed and/or unemployed); editors; local media organizations and enterprises; human rights activists and organizations. Other beneficiaries also include: women, LGBTI individuals, ethnic minority groups, the youth, and any group or individuals whose rights are being violated.

VALUE:

Total cost of the project: 503,657.55 EUR; EU contribution: 453,291.79 EUR

TARGET AREA:

Lot II: Support for Media Initiatives.

PARTNERS:

Kosovar Gender Studies Center (KGSC) and Center for Equality and Liberty (CEL).

ACTIVITIES:

-Human Rights Fellowship program – grants supporting and mentoring journalists from across Kosovo; -Media for Human Rights Program – grants supporting media that enter into partnerships with CSOs and aim to improve their human rights knowledge and/or content production; -Trainings in journalism skills and human rights knowledge and information for Fellowship Beneficiaries and Media Grantees -Public roundtables with the Kosovar media sector for raising awareness and providing a platform of exchange for future approaches.

RESULTS:

Some of the main results to be achieved during the implementation of the Action or in its immediate aftermath include: -Thirty (30) young journalists receive training and mentorship in order to become and lead the next generation of journalism in Kosovo, one with insightful expertise on the human rights situation in the country; -Ten (10) media outlets will benefit from a grant scheme, and will improve their capacities to grow professionally and organizationally, with a focus on implementing and developing a strong editorial production in human rights and/or improving their in-house ethics and professional guidelines in order to take into account groups at risk and how to address them accurately and with responsibility. -Ten (10) human rights / civil society organizations are engaged to cooperate with ten (10) media outlets, -Ten (10) individual journalists, and staff of at least 10 media outlets (including reporters, managers, trainees and/or volunteers) will benefit from the capacity building efforts (training and coaching). -Three (3 conferences/round tables) engaging at least 10 national media and 10 local media, and human rights organizations, and raising awareness among the media sector (including local and national media) about the capacities and needs of the media to contribute to the promotion and advocacy for human rights through journalism.