How can we empower young people as active co-creators of media – and how can traditional and digital media better engage them?
These were the key questions explored during Časoris’s three-day workshop, Youth engagement: Building bridges between local media and the next generation.
The event brought together young journalists, editors, and media professionals from across Europe for a deep dive into collaboration, innovation, and youth participation in the media. It took place as part of the project Youth for Media: Strengthening Local Media through Young Journalists (YoCoJoin), which will conclude in May with an international conference in Brussels.
At the heart: collaboration and co-creation
Through dynamic discussions, practical sessions, and hands-on activities, participants explored new ways to spark youth journalism and strengthen the relationship between media and younger audiences. The workshop focused on:
- Co-creating content – A session on co-creation offered practical strategies for involving young readers and viewers in content production.
- Building long-term engagement – Participants learned how to maintain sustained interest and involvement from children and young people in media initiatives.
- Digital storytelling training – Special focus was placed on producing and editing video content, especially using mobile devices.
- Developing action plans – Working in groups, participants created concrete strategies to boost youth participation within their own media organizations.
What participants took away
Feedback from attendees highlighted the workshop’s practical value and impact. Here’s what some of them said:
“The video editing segment was incredibly useful. I often work on video pieces, and I got new ideas for editing directly on my phone.”
“The discussion on challenges and solutions in engaging young people in media gave me a broader view of what’s happening across Europe and offered concrete examples of best practices.”
“I now have a better understanding of what co-creating content with young people really means—and how to bring them into the editorial process.”
Looking ahead
The workshop didn’t just end with new ideas – it inspired participants to take action. Some of the next steps they plan to implement include:
- expanding the involvement of young people in content production across European media outlets,
- developing mentorship programs for aspiring young journalists and encouraging cross-border exchange of best practices,
- enhancing their presence on social media and making better use of formats like short-form video,
- making media content more accessible to youth through customized formats and interactive storytelling.
What’s next?
Participants expressed a strong interest in staying connected through future events and online meetups to share their progress and experiences in implementing the ideas developed during the workshop.
YoCoJoin, a European initiative that trains children and young people in quality journalism, is just getting started!
They also proposed cross-border collaborations on joint journalistic projects that include young voices from different parts of Europe.
While media transformation takes time, small steps and meaningful collaboration can ensure that young people’s voices are heard, their perspectives respected, and their participation in shaping the media of the future made a reality.
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Funded the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
