Success Stories: Impact in Action

This month (April 2026), I had the opportunity to take the first part in a professional mobility programme that led me to Slovenia and Croatia, to their public broadcasters. I wanted to learn how their HRM departments are organised. As expected, each PSM offered a unique experience, we are so close but at the same time so far. Read more

I have just returned from Zagreb, where I spent 8 days at the Croatian Radio and Television (HRT). I met kind and selfless colleagues and attended their editorial meetings/sessions. With their production support, I recorded several interviews, and we will also produce a joint program on the topic of Croats in Montenegro and Montenegrins in Croatia. This is only the beginning of our future cooperation. Read more

My visit to RTCG brought me much more than I had expected. Even earlier, while filming an episode of the “Gradolovac Podgorica”, I had already seen that the people at RTCG are great professionals, as well as friends of Bosnia and Herzegovina and outstanding colleagues. Read more

At last! After several visits to Zagreb, both personal and professional - I finally had the chance to truly feel at home in a place I deeply respect and personally cherish: Croatian Radio and Television (HRT). And I genuinely did feel at home, because from the very first working day, my job shadowing experience felt less like an assignment and more like visiting old friends. Read more

Unpopular Ride project is cross‑border media project that explores how young people in the Western Balkans engage with difference, disagreement, and sensitive social issues. Implemented between January and May 2026 in Sarajevo, Belgrade, and Podgorica, the project was developed by a regional team of young media professionals (Belmin Brko - BHRT, Antonela Martinovic - RTCG, Amar Manjo - BHRT, Fatima Memic - RTVFBiH, Milica Brocic - RTS, Valentina Arsenovic - BHRT) under the group name Unpopular Ride. Read more
 

When I stepped into the HRT building in March 2026, I sensed that a busy working week awaited me. However, I didn’t expect that the same building would "accept" me so quickly. I arrived as a journalist from Vojvodina and left as someone who experienced what it looks like when professional curiosity meets open doors. Read more
 

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. Read more

Imagine boarding a flight from Prishtina to Dublin—carrying with you stacks of visa documents, all in the hope that the journey will prove more than worthwhile, opening the door to a culture and a world so different from the one you know in the Western Balkans. The moment your feet touch Irish soil, a new horizon unfolds on Europe’s western edge, where a distinct Irish identity meets echoes of a shared history with the United Kingdom. Read more

Systemic Silence: Breaking the Pattern is a documentary film produced by Doku.ba that explores gender-based violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through conversations with safe house coordinators, police officers, social workers, prosecutors, psychologists, and survivors, the film examines the complexity of this deeply rooted social issue and the systems surrounding it. Read more

Rivers on the Brink - The Battle for Water in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a medium-length documentary produced by the Gerila portal that examines the impact of small hydropower plant construction on rivers and local communities across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Read more

The project “EU Dossier: Montenegro – Chapters Under the Spotlight” is designed with the aim of providing a comprehensive, analytically grounded, and in-depth overview of the progress of Montenegro’s accession negotiations with the European Union, while simultaneously placing this process within the broader context of the Western Balkans region. Read more

Give Yourself: A Booth Talk Series for Youth is an EU-funded group project implemented between March 2025 and May 2026 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Kosovo*. Led by Ramanda Shehu, Klejda Piroviç, and Ahmed Bradarić (RTVFBiH), the project addressed one of the most pressing yet often stigmatized issues among young people today: mental health. Read more

The People of Change - transformation, resilience, progress (PoC) project is a multimedia storytelling initiative produced by Association Public from North Macedonia, published across digital channels of the non-profit media “Face to Face – Platform for sustainable development” and broadcasted on public service media in North Macedonia, Vojvodina, Serbia and Bosnia and Hercegovina. Read more
 

Thanks to a professional mobility grant programme, I had the opportunity to spend a week at Croatian Radio-Television (HRT)in Zagreb from 19-25 February 2026 – an experience that was as professionally enriching as it was personally inspiring. During my stay, I saw first-hand how cable and OTT distribution coordination works in practice. I familiarised myself with the organisational structure, licensing processes, and the way EBU Cable Coordination manages the distribution of public broadcaster channels across different platforms and territories. Read more

The project “Journalists under Pressure: Local Voices against Violence and Repression” documents and publicly presents authentic testimonies of journalists from Serbia who face threats, intimidation, and violence in the current political and social context. Building on NDNV’s experience in protecting journalists, the project adds a human dimension through personal stories that make these issues visible and relatable. Read more

During the first part of my mobility experience at the International Journalism Festival in Perugia, I attended a series of lectures and workshops that significantly deepened my understanding of modern journalism and its challenges. I explored the impact of major movements like Me Too through the Epstein case, learning how journalism can bring important issues back into public awareness. Read more

The project “Western Balkan Gastronomy”, was implemented from April 2025 to May 2026. It brought together young creatives and media professionals to showcase the culinary wealth of the Western Balkans as a powerful tool for connection, dialogue, and cultural exchange. The project was carried out by the group Sarma, composed of Tarik Čardaković (BHRT), Igor Topalović (RTS), Anđela Minić (RTCG), Marko Tešanović (BHRT), and Lorik Idrizi. Read more

The mobility grant, originally designed to strengthen the capacities of the public service broadcaster through the development of a sustainable training system and the establishment of an Educational Centre aligned with European standards, has evolved into a profoundly transformative experience (both institutionally and personally) opening new perspectives for growth, reflection, and long-term professional development. Read more

To answer the ever-relevant question asked by all media, I sought answers at three conferences: in Amsterdam, Budapest, and Perugia. As an editor and author of music shows at Radio-Television of Vojvodina, through the European Union program "Innovation. Media. Minds", I was given the opportunity to hear in several places how media and music professionals think about this topic. The different perspectives of numerous speakers provided me with a new, fresh insight into the needs of today’s audience and the media potential in this field. Read more

Although Berlin welcomed me with cold and rainy weather, the openness and professionalism of the DW Documentary team brought a positive and motivating atmosphere to my first days of the mobility. During this time, I had the opportunity to gain insight into how documentary films are prepared for broadcast and distribution. As DW also works with films that are not part of its own production, an important part of the process includes reviewing and adapting such content. Read more

This grant has provided me with valuable insights, knowledge, contacts, and has broadened my professional horizons. I believe it is extremely important for the professional growth and development of journalists from the region, who are not often in a position to independently undertake internships or attend major international media events. Additionally, thanks to the grant, our audience has been enriched with engaging reports from across Europe. Read more

“Youth Dilemma: Stay or Leave?” is a joint TV production byRadio Television of Kosovo (RTK)andRadio Television of Montenegro (RTCG), developed within the Innovation. Media. Minds programme by Goethe-Institut and Deutsche Welle Akademie. The project explores one of the region’s most pressing challenges: youth migration and the quiet resilience of those who choose to stay. Read more

Participating at The AI Conference in Athens was a valuable opportunity to connect and network with key stakeholders across the AI ecosystem, both in Europe and globally. The conference brought together CEOs and founders behind some of the most relevant tools, software, and systems shaping today’s market. Read more

As part of the IMM mobility program, I spent the first phase of the program in Sarajevo between March 24 and 29, 2026. The primary goal of the trip was to visit BHRT, based in Sarajevo, gain insight into the work of its editorial departments, and learn about the challenges and difficulties related to programme production. Read more

The project “Hands-on Stories: Diversity Narratives in Accessible Storytelling”, implemented by the Creative Industries Cluster of Vojvodina, represents a significant step forward in creating media content that is fundamentally and universally inclusive. The result of this initiative is a unique TV series of seven episodes that breaks down the barriers between children with hearing impairments and their peers. Read more

When I applied for the Innovation. Media. Minds. mobility grant, I knew what I wanted to understand. I wanted to see how other public broadcasters deal with the same challenges. Not only which technology they use, but how their teams communicate and how promotion works with design, programme, marketing and production. Read more

“The Western Balkans Postcards” is the first digital‑first project of Radio Belgrade. The beauty of the Western Balkans was transformed into short video formats that are thematic, warm, and positive. The narrators are the very people we spoke with during our long journey across the Western Balkans. Read more

I work as a television editor for a Slovak‑language programme in Vojvodina, Serbia. When I was selected to attend the International Journalism Festival in Perugia through an EU‑funded mobility grant, I was initially unsure how relevant the experience would be for my day‑to‑day work in a small, minority‑language newsroom. It turned out to be far more relevant than I expected. Read more

During my mobility, I visited Croatian Radio and Television (HRT) during Dora and Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS) during Pesma za Evroviziju (PZE). One of the most valuable aspects of the experience was observing the differences in organisational approaches between the two broadcasters. Rather than approaching this with the intention of directly replicating existing models, the focus was on recognising practices that could be realistically adapted to RTCG’s operational environment. Read more

Globally, nature-based solutions are receiving increasing attention for flood protection, but in North Macedonia, these practices are still in their early stages. See how solar panels are transforming North Macedonian schools: from high energy bills and pollution to lower costs, improved learning conditions and a more sustainable energy future. Read more

Western Balkan Myth Bustersis a documentary series on YouTube that explores the rich tapestry of myths and legends from across the Western Balkans. Targeting a younger audience (19–23), each 5–8 minute episode combines cinematic storytelling with journalistic inquiry, presenting stories through two perspectives: firsthand accounts from locals and expert insights from historians and researchers. Read more

Neighbors is a group/project team made up of Teona Jordanoska, Emina Smajlović (Radio and Television of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina), and Nataša Novosel (Radio and Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina). Our aim was to explore and showcase the experiences of international students from the Western Balkans who are studying abroad. Read more

The project “O svijesti – Regional Stories on Parenting and Family Support” creates space for open, informed and accessible conversations about the challenges faced by parents, children, young people and families today. Read more
 

During my IMM mobility experience, I had the opportunity to gain insight into different aspects of public media service operations, contemporary television production and international cooperation, while also strengthening my technical and professional skills. Read more

All planned project activities were implemented, accompanied by an exceptionally positive experience and a high level of professional cooperation in both public service media. I am extremely satisfied with the overall implementation and the results achieved. Read more

"Warriors on the Edge of the Empire" is a regional co-production developed within the Innovation Media Minds program, bringing together the public broadcasters Radio and Television of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (RTVFBiH) and Radio and Television of Vojvodina (RTV Vojvodina). It explores ancient military equipment—defensive gear and weapons—as well as archaeological artifacts, using them as an entry point into a broader narrative about the cultural and historical heritage of the Western Balkans. Read more

During a professional mobility visit to Sweden and Denmark, Trendeline Bucolli explored how Scandinavian public broadcasters are responding to this transformation, particularly how they approach younger audiences in an increasingly fragmented digital environment. Read more
 

During my visit, I had the chance to see up close how the regional centre works on a daily basis. I learned more about its organisational structure, editorial processes, and newsroom routines, and I followed different stages of content production, from the initial planning to the final radio and television broadcast. Read more 

Equipment acquired through a Innovation. Media. Minds grant has significantly enhanced the production capacities of Radio and Television of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (RTVFBiH) and is now used across all segments of program creation. Read more

Going to the public service of another country was not unfamiliar to me, but going to Germany and getting to know the work process of the Documentary Program of Deutsche Welle Television is a completely new and pleasant experience. Read more

The project Mind Matters: Stories of Youth and Mental Health through the podcast series Umologija and accompanying multimedia formats created a safe space for personal testimonies, reflection, and public dialogue, contributing to the destigmatization of mental health and strengthening media literacy among audiences. Read more

“TTS” and “STT”: RTV’s Contribution to Vulnerable Groups is a project of broad social significance, aimed at improving access to media content for various vulnerable groups: blind and visually impaired persons, deaf and hard‑of‑hearing individuals, people with cognitive impairments and reading difficulties, members of national minorities, linguistically diverse groups, as well as young and elderly audiences. By introducing Text‑to‑Speech (TTS) and Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technologies, content from the website and applications will be available for listening and reading in transcribed form. Read more

On Sunday, March 8—International Women's Day—what began as a symbolic date soon turned into a deeply personal milestone: my first solo journey abroad. If you had asked me whether I was nervous, I would have answered without hesitation—yes. Even though I was traveling to a country I knew well, one I had visited for years with a folklore group, this time felt different. Read more

When you work in television production, especially on big music and entertainment events, you eventually realise two things. First, the audience only sees a very small part of what is really happening. And second, behind every “effortless” TV moment there are actually a lot of people, details, pressure, coordination, and last-minute problem solving. That is exactly why this job shadowing experience meant so much to me. Read more 
 

See how climate change is shaping the future of North Macedonian viticulture. In recent years, North Macedonia has lost over 8,000 hectares of vineyards, with extreme heat, prolonged droughts, and erratic rainfall seriously affecting grape yield and quality. Read more
 

As part of the grant titled “The international mobility grants second call for employees of Western Balkan public service broadcasters”, I had the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and practical skills in post-production, video and audio editing, animation, and digitalization, as well as to explore innovative working models and successful operational processes in the fields of media, technology, and artificial intelligence. Read more

After more than two decades working on the production side of media, I embarked on a three‑month mobility that opened a completely new professional chapter for me: the world of audiovisual archives. Read more

Every year, 35.000 tons of textile waste are generated in North Macedonia - which is enough to fill the North Macedonia’s Parliament building six times with discarded clothes. But how is the country dealing with its textile waste? Read more 

Creating inclusive content (for children with hearing impairments) begins long before the cameras start rolling. It starts through the joint work of screenwriters, directors, actors, and sign language experts who are dedicated to even the smallest details of this process. Read more

Over the past two months, Tea Kuzic had the opportunity to take part in a professional mobility program that led her to Slovenia, Germany, and Ireland. Each country offered a unique experience that deepened her understanding of human resources, learning and development, and diversity within the media. Read more
 

In today’s world of constant change and overwhelming disinformation, facts matter more than ever. Geopolitics, democracy, security, and the rule of law are being redefined—and the time to grasp these transformations is now. SEETV team dives deep into the questions on the EU integrations in the Western Balkans. Read more 

As part of a relatively young social media team at Radio and Television of Montenegro (RTCG), I wanted to learn how to improve our work—and my stay in Zagreb made that possible. Within the grant, I searched for a media outlet with a similar workflow that has similar challenges as we do at RTCG. I chose HRT, and my choice was right. Read more
 

“Me Sem Aida” is a TV documentary about Aida Vehabovic, a third-year student at the Acting Department of the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. She is one of the few Roma women who decided to dedicate her life to this profession. Read more
 

The project “Sound of Facts: Demystifying Disinformation”, implemented by the Novi Sad School of Journalism, introduced an innovative radio format for fact-checking. Traditionally written content was transformed into interactive radio episodes specifically designed to engage a younger audience. Read more

When I was given the opportunity through the Innovation. Media. Minds programme to choose between several workshops and congresses, I immediately knew which one I wanted to attend: the IPI World Congress & Media Innovation Festival 2025 in Vienna. Read more 
 

Radio and Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHRT) premiered the documentary film “The Fate of Minorities” on Saturday, November 1, at 6 PM. The film was created as part of the series “Life of Minorities,” produced with the support of the European Union. Read more
 

When Shkumbin Osmanaj first arrived at the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC), he didn’t know exactly what to expect. Shkumbin was eager, curious, and ready to explore how another public broadcaster works - especially in a country so full of history, diversity, and contrasts like Cyprus. Read more

 

The project “Enhancing the Correspondent Network of Radio Television of Vojvodina – Preservation of National Minority Cultures in AP Vojvodina” is part of the programme “Innovation. Media. Minds: Support to Public Service Media in the Western Balkans,” funded by the European Union and implemented by the Goethe-Institut on behalf of the European Commission, in cooperation with the partner organization DW Akademie. Radio Television of Vojvodina (RTV) has for decades represented a European model in broadcasting programs in the languages of national minorities. RTV broadcasts daily programs in the languages of all national communities living in the territory of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. Read more

Rovinj — with its sunlit cobblestone streets, the warm Adriatic air, and the buzz of creative minds — became more than just a festival venue. It became my newsroom, my source of inspiration, my lens into what journalism can become. Read more
 

For the past two years, farmers in town Kočani have been exchanging rice straw for fertilizer at the Wastewater Treatment Plant — a solution that reduces pollution. Read more

Weekend.18 proved to be much more than just a gathering of professionals. It was a dynamic platform for dialogue, inspiration, and collaboration – a space where different disciplines intersected and future trends were explored from multiple perspectives. Read more

Radio and Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHRT) proudly presents the documentary film “Bridges of Diversity”, which explores the status and everyday life of national minorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It covers topics such as educational challenges, cultural heritage, linguistic diversity, and artistic expression of national minorities. Read more

In Rovinj, I had a truly unforgettable experience – I attended “Weekend 18,” an event that marked my autumn mood most beautifully. From the very beginning, the atmosphere was full of enthusiasm, positive energy, and creativity. Read more
 

In early September 2025, Milica Kapa spent eight days at the Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT) in Zagreb within the EU Innovation. Media. Minds. mobility grant. As a journalist working at RTCG (Radio and Television of Montenegro), this short but intense exchange opened new professional horizons for Milica —changing not only how she sees public service journalism, but how to approach it.
 

Journalist Katerina Topalova joined a group of journalists, researchers, and activists in Amsterdam for a week-long intensive training led by Bellingcat, the investigative collective known for pioneering open-source journalism. The goal: to sharpen their digital investigation skills and learn how to uncover hidden truths using publicly available data. Read the whole story here.

Vedran Prodic recently spent three weeks in Germany for a professional development visit where he had the chance to work with journalists at Deutsche Welle (DW) in Bonn. Later he attended the Re:publica media conference in Berlin. Read his report here. 

Sixteen international mobility grants have been awarded to media professionals from public service broadcasters across the Western Balkans. The grants were allocated following the program’s second open call for international opportunities. Read more

What happens when you step outside your comfort zone and into the evolving world of media? From the editorial floors of Deutsche Welle in Germany to the vibrant conference spaces of Warsaw, I learned that good media is never just about content—it’s about connection. These mobility experiences challenged how I think, work, and create. They deepened my understanding of digital strategies, cross-cultural collaboration, and audience-focused storytelling. Because real transformation begins when we take the time to truly listen—and when we’re open to learning in unexpected places.

Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) has launched a new project titled “Reporting Real News in Real Time”, aimed at modernizing news reporting across Albania through the use of mobile journalism (MoJo) technology.

Over the course of 16 days, I took part in a mobility project that led me through two enriching experiences — an internship at Radio Belgrade 1 in Serbia and participation in the International Journalism Festival in Perugia, Italy. Both phases offered valuable professional insights and significantly shaped my development as a journalist.

By Danijel Garic

My recent professional visit to Zagreb was more than a routine assignment—it was a journey that reinforced the power of cross-border collaboration and the role of journalism in addressing the environmental challenges of our time and the region.

By Zlatan Dzumhur, Journalist/TV host, BHRT

For nine unforgettable days, Milan — chaotic, elegant, and pulsing with creativity — became both my newsroom and my classroom. I arrived during one of the most vibrant times of the year: Milano Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2025. My mission was clear — to understand, observe, and absorb how experienced journalists cover one of the most prestigious events in the fashion world.

By Klara Kranjc

For years, Perugia has transformed into the world's journalism hub every April. Thanks to the EU project aimed at public broadcasters in the Western Balkans, "Innovation. Media. Minds." and the support for public service journalists, this year the trends and innovations from this prestigious event reached the O Radio newsroom.

For the past 20 years, I have had the privilege of contributing to the Radio and Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHRT), where I currently lead the Graphics Department. My journey in media production has been rich with experiences in graphics, visual effects and television production. The significant milestone in my professional development was a recent opportunity to participate in a specialized Vizrt software training in Belgrade, as part of my mobility grant within the EU’s Innovation. Media. Minds Program: Support to Public Service Journalism in Western Balkans.

By Besart Galica, RTK

Spending ten days with the Albanian Language Department at Deutsche Welle (DW) in Bonn, Germany through the EU Innovation. Media. Minds. Program’s International Mobility Grant, provided invaluable insights into ethical reporting practices—particularly on sensitive and tragic events—and reshaped my approach to journalism.
 

By Emir Zametica 
The opportunity to visit Croatian National Television (HRT) through the EU Innovation. Media. Minds. Program’s international mobility grant was one I eagerly embraced. Beyond the professional insights I hoped to gain, this visit turned out to be a deeply meaningful experience, connecting me to shared histories and cultures between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.