Meet a new group of Young Media Makers
For young people living in rural areas in the Western Balkans, one of the most pressing concerns is the underdevelopment of their communities. Limited educational, professional and cultural opportunities often encourage them to leave their hometowns and move to larger cities.
To address this issue, DW Akademie started the Young Media Project to give these young people a stronger voice and greater visibility, helping them feel represented, empowered and motivated to take an active role in shaping their local communities.
New perspectives for young media makers
In Spring 2026, DW Akademie selected 12 young media professionals between 23 and 35 years old from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia for the Young Media Makers Fellowship. The program is centered on innovative media formats and strategies for engaging young audiences in the Western Balkans – especially in rural areas – through hands-on content creation (mobile journalism, TikTok and Instagram reporting, podcasting), capacity-building elements, and the business side of media.
"This fellowship program has a special focus on young people living in rural areas," said Mladen Savković, Project Officer at DW Akademie. "How do they access information? What are their main challenges? These are some of the questions participants will seek to explore in the coming period through their media projects."
Young Media Makers in the Balkans
The program combines 12 modules of online and in-person seminars, workshops, mentoring and professional trips. Through expert-led sessions, practical collaboration and regional/EU study visits, the fellowship supports participants in developing and implementing their own media ideas for young audiences while preparing them to become future-oriented media leaders in their home countries.
Realities and challenges faced by young people in the region
At the kick-off event in early June, the fellows presented topics that reflect the realities and challenges faced by young people in rural areas across the Western Balkans.
"What stands out most is the energy and openness the Young Media Makers bring to working together — they’re not just participants, but a community already shaping the future of media in the region," said Nadja Kemper, Project Manager at DW Akademie.
Their media projects address disinformation and the lack of youth representation in mainstream media, and the personal reasons why many young people decide to leave rural communities. At the same time, they also highlight inspiring stories of those who choose to stay or return, showcasing examples of local activism, artistic initiatives, entrepreneurship, employment opportunities and community engagement. Together, these stories offer a nuanced picture of rural life and amplify voices that are often overlooked in public discourse.
The program "Young Media Makers Fellowship" runs from 2026 to the end of 2028. It is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ).
