“Face to face with the citizens” is a project that aims to increase the quantity and the quality of the stories related to socially engaged topics and practice as well as to strengthen the civic journalism in the country. More, it has a goal of involving people to report and react on topics that are socially engaged, a step that will justify the benefits of the active citizenship and civic journalism. “Face to face with the citizens” basis its concept on establishing the need for active citizenship.
Topical focus:
Country:
What locality or neighborhood will your project focus on?
Skopje, Struga, Ohrid, Bitola, Negotino
Describe the specific population with whom you will be working.
Within the frames of this project, two groups will be targeted: young people (age 18-27) and NGOs. The purpose is to give good practices to regular citizens on how to practice civic journalism, as well as to provide knowledge and know-how to NGOs, so that the network of civic journalism practitioners is further strengthen and extended. Marginalization, social and economic exclusion are deeply rooted in our society. The issue of social exclusion, besides economic, involves political, cultural and other social disadvantages. Civic journalism focuses on the development process of the society and we see it as a tool for raising voices or the marginalized.
Who else will be on your team to help implement the project?
Klimentina Ilijevski-10+ years of journalistic experience, editor in different media outlets in Macedonia, https://www.facebook.com/klimentina.ilijevski?fref=ts;
Maja Nedelkovska- With 7+ years of experience in the media, print and electronic, wide range of skills for edition, journalism, social media, web and media campaigns. https://www.facebook.com/nedelkovskamaja?fref=ts; https://twitter.com/nedelma;
Aleksandra Iloska- Young researcher,with 3years experience in policy analysis, advocacy and lobbying, fundrasing and projects developments – https://www.facebook.com/aleksandra.iloska.7; http://www.linkedin.com/
Aneta Risteska- 10+ years of experience in the educational system has journalistic and training skills and competence,www.facebook.com/aneta.risteska.56?fref=ts
What kinds of news, stories and other content will be created?
The main objective of this project is promoting the concept of civic journalism and active citizenship in Macedonia. Therefore, 2 workshops for at least 25 regular citizens will be provided, and we expect at least 3 civic journalism stories that will be created by participants under the guidance of the personnel involved. Via Skype conference, one workshop will be provided for NGOs on national level. Created stories will be published in the street paper Lice v lice (Face to face), October issue that will be devoted to civic journalism. “Lice v lice” has developed its constant readers and continues to encourage its readers and general audience for bringing positive changes in our society. Moreover, created stories will be spread on our social networks with aim of achieving stronger impact.
What technologies and digital tools do you plan to use in the trainings?
Describe the connections that you or your organization have already established or plan to establish that will contribute to the success of the project.
The first issue of “Lice v lice” was released in September 2012. Since then, we have created a network of 11 partner organizations on national level. “Lice v lice” is part of the regional networks of activism “Lice ulice” and the International network of street papers (INSP). In this very short period, via our citizens’ actions we have managed to engage more than 150 regular citizens. Next to this, we have released 9 issues of the magazine with circulation of at least 1900 copies. Today, we provide decent income for 42 people from the marginalized groups (homeless, persons with disabilities, users of social assistance, youth from the street).
How many participants do you think will be trained in your project?
2 workshops (for at least 25people)- for young people (age 18-25)- one in Skopje, 1 in Struga,
1 Skype conference – at least 10 NGOs representatives on national level
We expect at least 3 civic journalism stories to be created by workshop participants. Stories will be written under the guidance of our experienced team of journalists. Moreover, in the October issue of “Lice v lice” a guide for practicing civic journalism will be published.
Describe which technologies, tools, and media you will focus on when training participants.
For successful implementation of this project we will need basic equipment for the workshops. For the workshops planned for engagement of young general audience, we will need one projector, lap top, flip charts, pens and notebooks. For the workshop on Skype we will only need a laptop. The issue of Lice v lice that will be devoted on civic journalism will be covered by CMA’s own resources and that will be our contribution for this project. Workshops will be held by experienced trainers that will be responsible for transferring good practices of civic journalism. The guide for practicing civic journalism will be prepared with the joint effort of our journalists and workshops’ trainers.
Describe the facilities where you will hold the workshops.
For the workshop in Skopje, we will use the space of the Macedonian cultural Center, which is free of charge and is comfortable for accommodating 20-25 people. The facility has a projector and a good sound system. The workshop in Strugga will be held within the frames of the festival “DreamON” organized by “Initative for independent cultural activism” (http://zdruzinka.org/?lang=en).
For the Skype workshop we will use our office space that has all necessary technology for successful implementation of the planned workshop.
What is your current relationship with the community with whom you plan to work? What makes you the most appropriate individual or organization to implement this project?
CMA is the organization that stands behind the only street magazine in Macedonia. Up till now we have implemented 5 citizens actions, and we have managed to engage more than 150 regular citizens, that support our mission. With the content that we provide want to develop more democratically active citizens and increase the number of critical minds by stimulating and encouraging the practice of civic journalism and civic education. In our everyday activities, we bring together like-minded people from journalism, publishing, technology, broadcasting, education, NGO, government and the wider community to explore, develop and test new and emerging models of journalism that will contribute to an informed, engaged and accountable society.
What specific challenges do you expect to face when planning and implementing your project?
Identification of the right participants for the workshops is considered as the biggest challenge. Due to the fact that the success of the overall project depends on the motivation and awareness of participants, we will publish a call for participants and they will be selected based on their motivational letter and CVs.
How will you measure and evaluate the project’s impact, specifically: your primary participants, the wider regional community, or the global digital community?
We will have a written evaluation form for participants to measure how successful the workshop was and where we can make further improvement. Indicators- number of workshop participants, number of citizens reporting on community related issues, number of civic journalism stories created and their circulation on social networks.
If your project were to be selected as a Rising Voices grantee, what would be the general timeline of project activities in 2014?
May-June- Call for Applications will be published
20th of June final participants will be selected
June/July/August- workshops will be held. 1 in Skopje, 1 in Struga.
August-September- civic journalism stories will be created
August/September- guide for civic journalism will be created
01-15 September- voting for the best and most pressing civic journalism story
31st of October- publishing the magazine devoted to civic journalism
Detail a specific budget of up to $2,500 USD for operating costs.
100$ – Office materials (pencils, flip-chart, papers)
150$ – Internet
600$ – Project Coordinator (3 months x 200$)
500$ – Trainers (2 trainers x 250$)
400$- Journalist (2 journalist x 200)
150$ – Refreshments (4 workshops)
150$- Transport- Struga-Skopje-Struga
250$- Facility (workshop Struga)
Besides the microgrant funding, what other support can Rising Voices provide for your project to ensure its success?
We would like to see how other organizations are practicing civic journalism and civic education. We would like to see how do they motivate citizens to report on socially engaged topics and community related issues.
Contact name
Aleksandra Iloska
Organization
Citizens Association- Center for media activities
