Switching Shoes: Giving Youth the Power to Speak and Shape Change

 

• Dunja Janićijević – Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS)
• Predrag Radović – Radio and Television of Montenegro (RTCG)
• Dženana Dević – Radio and Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHRT)
• Ana Skopljak – Radio and Television of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (RTVFBiH)
• Jelena Bursać – Radio and Television of Vojvodina (RTV)

Rooted in the principles of constructive journalism, Switching Shoes uses innovative, short‑form video storytelling to actively engage young people and amplify their voices. The project produces Instagram and TikTok reels built around a simple but powerful concept: specially designed “shoes of power” are placed in public spaces, inviting young passersby to step into them and answer one key question—what would you change if you had the power to decide?

By symbolically placing participants in positions of influence, the project encourages young people to reflect on societal challenges from their own perspective and to articulate concrete ideas for change. Topics range from economic opportunities, bureaucracy, corruption, and unemployment to issues specific to individual cities and local communities.

The project is being implemented across Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, with three cities covered in each country. Serbia has already been completed, and each stop adds new local voices, concerns, and proposals to the growing regional conversation.

In addition to video content, Switching Shoes maintains active Instagram and TikTok profiles, where behind‑the‑scenes photos, team introductions, and contextual information further deepen audience engagement and transparency.

Beyond identifying problems, Switching Shoes places strong emphasis on solutions—encouraging participants not only to criticize existing systems, but also to imagine realistic and constructive alternatives. Ultimately, the project aims to demonstrate to young people that their opinions matter, that they are being listened to, and that meaningful dialogue is a first step toward social change.

Produced episodes

Note: This content was produced with the support of a seed funding grant, following the group members’ participation in the NextGen Media Lab, where the project ideas and topics were developed through a design sprint.

Funded by the European Union, the Innovation. Media. Minds.: Support to the Public Service Journalism in the Western Balkans Program, is managed by the Goethe-Institut on behalf of the European Commission and in collaboration with its implementing partner DW Akademie. The contents are the sole responsibility of Dunja Janićijević, Predrag Radović, Dženana Dević, Ana Skopljak, and Jelena Bursać and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.