Catalyst of Change: Media Engagement Training in Zagreb, Croatia

As part of the Catalyst of Change project, a training event focused on media engagement will be held from 20-22 November 2024, at the Human Rights House in Zagreb, Croatia. This training is organized by the European Center for Not-For-Profit Law (ECNL), the Netherlands Helsinki Committee (NHC) and Free Press for Eastern Europe (FPEE), and aims to equip civil society organisations (CSOs) with the skills needed to enhance their media outreach, advocate for EU values, and build resilience amid growing challenges in the civic space.

Find the full programme here.

About “Catalyst of Change: Supporting a Vibrant Civil Society in Europe”

Set against the backdrop of shrinking civic space in the European Union (EU), the Catalyst of Change project seeks to create an enabling environment for civil society in countries facing significant pressures, namely Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, and Portugal. The project specifically targets CSOs working on women’s rights, environmental justice, and anti-corruption, empowering them to become more effective in promoting EU fundamental rights and values. The goal is to ensure these organizations can respond quickly to concerning trends, strengthen their advocacy efforts, and enhance their resilience to external threats.

Objectives of the training

The upcoming media engagement training in Zagreb is a vital component of this larger project and aims to achieve several specific goals:

• Enhanced media strategy skills: Equip CSOs with the tools to create impactful media strategies that effectively amplify their messaging across the EU.
• Effective audience engagement: Train participants how to identify and engage their target audiences through well-planned campaigns and strategic media channel selection.
• Understanding AI and media: Provide insights into how artificial intelligence influences media coverage, public participation, and freedom of expression.
• Mastering story pitching: Hone skills to craft compelling stories centered on human rights and build lasting relationships with media professionals.

Aims and long-term impact

The training, like the broader Catalyst of Change project, aims to:

• Bolster CSO capabilities: Strengthen the capacity of grassroots organizations to respond to democratic and civic space challenges.
• Promote visibility: Enhance public recognition and understanding of grassroots organizations’ work, ensuring their efforts are acknowledged and supported.
• Foster structural change: Empower CSOs to play a more active watchdog role, engage effectively with stakeholders, and participate in policy-making processes at all levels, thereby contributing to sustainable policy and advocacy improvements.

By participating in this training, CSOs will be better equipped to protect and promote EU fundamental rights, build stronger connections with the public and media, and respond proactively to democratic challenges. This event is an essential step toward fostering a resilient, engaged, and influential civil society that can champion change in an evolving civic landscape.

Join the training in Zagreb

Are you a CSO working on women’s rights, environmental justice, and anti-corruption in Croatia or Slovenia? Be part of this crucial training to enhance your media engagement strategies, network with fellow advocates, and contribute to protecting civic space and EU values. Register here.