From Local Curiosity to Media Changemakers: Students from Probishtip and Zletovo Step Into the Newsroom

Through workshops, media visits, and a collaborative publication, young people, journalists, CSO representatives, and teachers from Probishtip, Zletovo, and Kratovo in North Macedonia are becoming active voices in the media landscape.

The project “Face to Face Binoculars – Media Activism Through Creating Stories That Make a Difference,” led by the Skopje-based NGO Public – Association for Research, Communications and Development, aimed to promote media literacy and activism as a way to counter polarization and foster dialogue within civil society. “Face to Face” is a street paper and civic platform that highlights inclusive storytelling, media activism, and the empowerment of underrepresented communities across North Macedonia. The project was carried out in collaboration with the grassroots organization GRIT from Probishtip.

One of the highlights of the project was a study visit where 31 students and teachers from three local schools had the chance to engage directly with four independent media outlets in Skopje: Face to Face, TRN, Racin, and the Investigative Reporting Lab (IRL). The group took part in an interactive workshop on media literacy and visited editorial offices, where they gained firsthand insight into journalism, disinformation, and creating content with social impact. The visit was not only educational – it sparked ideas and motivation.

“This visit sparked a wave of creativity back home. The biggest success was seeing youth return from Skopje with the motivation and tools to launch their own media initiatives – and to publish pieces in their school newspaper,” said Martina Jachevska, president of GRIT and local coordinator.

Indeed, students began creating content for their school newspaper and started planning a future podcast – their first steps into media activism.

“Seeing the students take initiative so quickly is our great achievement. This visit didn’t just show them journalism; it empowered them to use their voices for change. I now know how to help my students engage in community solutions,” said teacher Maja Mitevska Poceva.

“Together with Face to Face, I will shut down the hottest spot in town – the tailings dam!” said student Mihaela Gjorgieva, referring to a major local environmental issue that captured their full attention after the workshop.

To further amplify local voices, the 56th edition of the Face to Face printed magazine was developed in collaboration with local stakeholders, including CSOs, students, teachers, and local journalists, covering topics such as bullying, pollution, and youth participation. Supported by a strong online campaign, the edition reached more than 103,000 people across the country.

The project is funded through the Our Media sub-granting scheme, which has provided support to 21 local projects across the Western Balkans.

^{Co-funded by the European Union}

The regional program “Our Media: A civil society action to generate media literacy and activism, counter polarisation and promote dialogue” is implemented with the financial support of the European Union by partner organizations SEENPM, Albanian Media Institute, Mediacentar Sarajevo, Press Council of Kosovo, Montenegrin Media Institute, Macedonian Institute for Media, Novi Sad School of Journalism, Peace Institute and Bianet.

This article was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Macedonian Institute for Media and SEENPM and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.