A six-month acceleration programme supporting journalists and content creators in the Western Balkans to validate their media business ideas
Are you a media professional, journalist, or content creator with an innovative idea for the green transition? The Validation Booster Programme is your chance to test, refine, and validate new media concepts that can drive impactful change.
What is the Validation Booster?
The Validation Booster is a six-month acceleration programme designed for media outlets, networks, initiatives, and individual content creators who want to explore and validate new media products and services. The programme follows a structured methodology commonly used in tech startups, ensuring participants gain hands-on experience in effectively validating ideas.
Implemented by Thomson Media and supported by Open Society Foundation—Western Balkans, the initiative is part of the larger “Greening the Narratives: Advancing Awareness of the Green Transition in the Western Balkans” project. This project aims to enhance public awareness of the green transition, increase transparency in the renewable energy sector, and support media coverage that promotes democratisation and decentralisation of energy markets.
Successful applicants will receive:
- Financial support: Grants of up to $5,000 for media organisations and up to $3,000 for individuals and initiatives
- Expert mentorship: One-on-one coaching from experienced professionals
- Practical workshops: Up to twelve online workshops over four months
- Hands-on Validation: Two months to test and refine your product or service
- Pitch Training: Guidance to craft compelling presentations for future funding and partnerships
Who can apply?
The programme is open to journalists, media professionals, and content creators from the Western Balkans who work on issues related to the green transition. Whether you’re part of a traditional media outlet, an independent journalist, or a niche content creator, if you have an idea that aligns with the programme’s goals, we encourage you to apply.
Application Deadline: 1 April 2025, 23:59 CET
The Validation Booster runs from June to November 2025, and participants must have a good command of spoken English.
For FAQs, please check out the previous info session, which is available HERE.
Details of the call, including the application process, criteria, evaluation, etc., are available HERE, and the application form is available HERE.
