Media4Change

The Media4Change project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ program, aims to train young people and youth workers in participatory media methods. While a large proportion of 18- to 30-year-olds know how to record a video, audio clip, or take a photo, we have observed that few use their digital skills collectively to make their voices heard on social issues. Over the course of this 30-month project, we aim to harness this knowledge to empower young people to make their voices heard on socially relevant issues. Our innovative educational approach, combining international training with local experimentation, will enable young people and the youth workers supporting them to learn this methodology by developing socially engaged media content on the theme of sustainable development.

Our consortium brings together seven European organizations: Solidarités Jeunesses (France), Agareso (Spain), IBG (Germany), Pi Youth Association (Turkey), ReBike Altermobility (Italy), EstYes (Estonia), and INEX SDA (Czech Republic).

The international activities organized during the project will be as follows:

 

European Survey on Young People’s Environmental Habits

September – December 2024

A large-scale survey was conducted among young people aged 18 to 30 living in Europe to better understand their concerns regarding climate change. Analysis of the 652 responses collected allows us to better understand young people’s levle of interest and knowledge on this issue, as well as to see in which areas they are taking priority action to limit their impact. The survey’s report is available here:

Kick Off Meeting

November 20-22, 2024 / Hosted by SJ in Pantin (France)

The 16 members of the Steering Committee met to launch the Media4Change initiative! We got to know our organizations better, finalized our operating procedures for the next two years, and familiarized ourselves with the project’s theme and overall objectives.

Multimedia Tool Training

March 17-22, 2025 / Hosted by Agareso in Santiago de Compostela (Spain)

22 participants received training in participatory media methods: they acquired a solid foundation in this tool through hands-on exercises on the field. They discovered the power of audiovisual tools (video, podcasts) and how to use them to encourage youth participation and the development of critical thinking skills.

“Gymkhana” local experimentations

Spring – Summer 2025

Participants of the Multimedia Tool Training actiivty organized participatory media workshops and projects at the local level in various formats (during international workcamps, youth exchanges, workshops, etc). About twenty pieces of content (videos, podcasts) were created by young people aged 18-30 at the local level on the topic of sustainable development, thus giving them a concrete platform to amplify their voies and a unique opportunity to strengthen their skills.

InsightLab

October 20-25, 2025 / Hosted by SJ in Paris (France)

16 participants who completed the Multimedia Tool Training activity and who were involved in implementing the Gymkhana experimentations gathered in Paris to collectively evaluate this local phase. Together, they tested an innovative evaluation methodology combining individual reflection and peer assessment to enhance their practical and theoretical knowledge of participatory media.

Mid-Term Meeting

February 9-13, 2026 / Hosted by PIYA in Izmir (Turkey)

15 members of the Steering Committee met to assess the project’s progress at the halfway point. We approved the action plan for 2026 to maximize the impact of our actions and advance the production of our three deliverables.

From Action To Actorship

May 11-16, 2026 / Hosted by SJ in Le Créneau, Allier (France)

“Media Collab” local experimentations

Spring – Autumn 2026

Hackhathon

November 23-28, 2026 / Hosted by IBG in Freiburg (Germany)

Final Meeting

January 2027 / Hosted by SJ

 

The Media4Change project will produce the following outcomes:

• An educational toolkit containing activity guides for participatory digital activities (discovered, developed, and tested during the project) and documenting the project’s progress, to enable other organizations to implement participatory media activities;
• An interactive map of resources and tools that will list technical and/or educational stakeholders across Europe. It will enable organizations to build a network of active stakeholders focused on (participatory) media and sustainable development.
• A collaborative guide to media project funding to strengthen our capacity to secure funding for similar projects. It may include a map of European funding sources, as well as tools, sample forms, pitch decks, and templates.

The Media4Change project is co-funded by the European Commission’s Erasmus+ programme. The InsightLab activity has received the support of the City of Paris through the Paris Europe Label programme.