MCCM
RESILIENCE
OUR MEDIA
To create a journalistic article means to portray reality – this is the message the young participants in the project “My Story – My Medium” convey to readers and viewers. The Citizens’ Association “From Station to Border” from Gevgelija is implementing this project to cultivate media literacy in smaller rural areas of the southeastern planning region, specifically in the settlements of Dojran, Stojakovo, Miravci, Negorci, and Gevgelija.
Particular focus in the project was given to creating an original dramatic text with an educational character, which was adapted for the stage through several theater performances, as well as to producing journalistic content and short video reports intended for the general public.
“Working on the project My Medium – My Story is a new challenge for me. It is the first time I have worked on creating and implementing video workshops for elementary school students from small local environments – places without theaters, cinemas, or much cultural and artistic content. For me, this has been the most wonderful experience so far and a true discovery,” says Marija Dzidzeva, the director who worked with the project participants. She adds that the participants work with great desire and energy and are open to new knowledge. “Their ideas and thoughts are brave and innovative, yet also emotional and, in a way, interwoven with magical realism. We need to encourage and motivate them to bring their ideas to life in short video forms, because they have something to say, they have their own messages from which we can all learn about their worldview.”
Jovan Grozdanov, one of the student participants focused his reflections on how the project helped him deepen his knowledge of creating journalistic texts, which proved enormously beneficial as a young journalist at Gevgelija Radio. This experience strengthened his desire to pursue journalism as his future career.
The project opened new horizons for media literacy in small rural areas. The change is visible, and the launch of mini-editorials in certain settlements was welcomed by local residents. Sharing information about their activities and everyday life also helps ensure the project’s continuation in the future.
The project is funded through the Our Media sub-granting scheme, which has provided support to 21 local projects across the Western Balkans.
The regional program “Our Media: A civil society action to generate media literacy and activism, counter polarisation and promote dialogue” is implemented with the financial support of the European Union by partner organizations SEENPM, Albanian Media Institute, Mediacentar Sarajevo, Press Council of Kosovo, Montenegrin Media Institute, Macedonian Institute for Media, Novi Sad School of Journalism, Peace Institute and Bianet.
This article was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Macedonian Institute for Media and SEENPM and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
