Support for media innovators: Mentorship, financial aid, and more
Are you a media professional, media organisation, or an individual with innovative media project ideas? If so, the Validation Booster programme could be your next step to success!
The Validation Booster is part of the Western Balkans Media for Change project, designed to support innovators in validating new business ideas. This programme offers expert mentorship, financial support of up to GBP 10,000, and valuable market research tools.
In its first cycle, the program provided support to various innovative concepts.
Meri Janceva, a marketing specialist from North Macedonia, successfully launched her podcast as a part of “Bidi svoj” platform, after validating her idea with mentorship.
She discovered the importance of video content on social media and the preference for podcast formats among women in rural areas and small cities.
“ The way in which the workshops were carried out, with interaction and real examples, the dedication to every participant in the trainings is what impressed me when it comes to the Western Balkans Media for Change team.”
Similarly, Iva Parađanin, founder of Tampon Zona, found the market research phase particularly valuable. Initially sceptical, she was convinced by the overwhelming response to her surveys, which helped refine her concept.
Source: voxfeminae.net
I was initially sceptical about the effectiveness of surveys and questionnaires, but the overwhelming response of 900 participants in just two weeks proved me wrong. This data not only validated our direction but also offered invaluable feedback for refining our concept.
The team behind Magločistač, a small media outlet, utilised the programme to dedicate significant time to testing business ideas and developing promotional video concepts, which helped them adopt a more business-oriented mindset.
We were encouraged, based on our mentor’s advice, to establish a fair pricing list for our services. Initially, we planned to sell our video materials at a symbolic price or even offer them for free to attract attention on social media.
Agnesa Qorri, an award-winning journalist, applied with the initiative “Youth Voices of Kosovo,” aimed at empowering young storytellers. This initiative fostered a more inclusive media landscape in Kosovo.
By supporting initiatives that promote good journalism, audience engagement and representation of marginalised groups, these programmes help create a more equitable and dynamic media environment. For me, participating in this programme was a transformative experience that underscored the power of media in shaping society and the importance of giving a voice to youth.
The Validation Booster Programme has already transformed many innovative ideas into successful media projects. By joining, you’ll have access to resources and mentorship that can refine and validate your concepts. Success stories from the first cycle highlight the tangible benefits of participation, from launching new media platforms to developing effective market strategies.
By participating in the Validation Booster Program, you can test your ideas, learn how to conduct effective market research, and receive financial support.
Don’t miss out—the deadline for applications is 1 August by 23:59 CET.
Apply now to take your media innovation to the next level!
The Western Balkans Media for Change project is funded by the UK Government and implemented by the British Council in partnership with the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN), Thomson Foundation and INTRAC (The International NGO Training and Research Centre).
