Horizons Shared (Component 3)
Goals
A project
Supported by
In partnership with
Presentation
Disinformation in the Western Balkans is a major challenge, threatening social unity and deepening divisions between communities. Rooted in biased historical narratives, political manipulation, and heavy reliance on social media, it thrives in a region still recovering from the scars of past conflicts. Young people, as the main consumers of digital content, are especially targeted by false information and divisive rhetoric.
Disinformation is more than an issue of misinformation—it’s a powerful way to divide societies. It undermines reconciliation efforts by perpetuating stereotypes and prejudices, posing a significant barrier to critical thinking and social cohesion.
Shared Horizons seeks to tackle this challenge by equipping youth and aspiring journalists with the tools to identify and counter disinformation. Local media and civil society organizations are at the heart of this initiative, empowered to create and share trustworthy content tailored to the needs of local communities.
Beyond addressing disinformation, the project fosters dialogue between communities and raises public awareness of the negative impacts of nationalist rhetoric, which continue to shape perceptions and relationships in the region. By collaborating with local and regional partners, Shared Horizons promotes an inclusive, cooperative approach to understanding social, cultural, and media challenges.
Project beneficiaries
The project primarily focuses on young people aged 18 to 30 in the Western Balkans, especially those in remote areas with limited access to reliable information. Journalism students are offered targeted support to advance their professional skills. Independent media outlets and civil society organizations engaged in fighting disinformation also receive assistance to strengthen their impact.
Indirectly, the broader population, particularly social media users, benefits from the project’s initiatives.
Actions
Strengthening local media and civil society organizations
Local media outlets and civil society groups working to combat disinformation will receive tailored support to create and share educational content on digital platforms. These materials, designed to engage young audiences, aim to increase awareness about manipulation tactics and promote fact-based, inclusive narratives.
The "News Truck Balkans"
This mobile newsroom will travel through cities and villages across six Western Balkan countries, focusing on remote areas often overlooked by traditional media initiatives. It will host citizen debates, interactive workshops, and public discussions to engage communities on the dangers of disinformation. By directly reaching out, the initiative encourages young people and broader audiences to participate in meaningful conversations about societal issues.
Inter-school competition for journalism students
Students from journalism and communication schools in the region will design creative and impactful posters addressing the theme of disinformation. Displayed in prominent public spaces, these works will raise awareness while recognizing the talents of participating students. The competition fosters critical thinking and innovation in tackling fake news.
Training future journalists
A virtual roundtable will bring together journalism students and local and international experts to explore key topics such as ethics in journalism, addressing nationalist rhetoric, and combatting fake news. This forum will help aspiring media professionals build the skills needed to face regional challenges.
Supporting journalistic content creation
A group of journalism students will receive personalized mentorship and financial backing to produce high-quality journalistic reports. These projects will not only shed light on regional issues like disinformation and nationalist narratives but also enhance the students’ professional portfolios.
