During the final meeting of the programme partners within the program Media and Youth for Democratic Development it was discussed about current state of media, the impact of media and CSOs in citizen's lives, as well as how to support proactive individuals striving for social change. Moreover, programme partners presented the results of their projects within this programme.

To be an independent media outlet or CSO in Serbia requires constant battle and perserverance nowadays. Despite well defined legal framework and policies regarding media in the country of Serbia, reality speaks differently – media standards are deteriorating – regarding press freedom, financing, safety of journalists,.. Therefore, independent media outlets have to be united and persevered in the constant, everyday battle.

With the support of civil sector they can, step by step, change this unfavorable situation. Within this fight it is important to support and encourage proactive individuals who are making impact in their local environments, as well as to reach youth, who represent driving force of a population. This can be attained through adequate promotional online content and dissemination through adequate digital platforms – primarily social media.

During this meeting representatives of the programme partners were given the opportunity to present the results of their projects within this programme. One of the most succesful results are the following: publications at the topic of media literacy and fake news, Media literacy of the Serbia (MOPS – Medijsko opismenjavanje Srbije), Festival of democracy, Ventus festival, KulTOURiska boarding game, as well as campaigns #nijesala (not a joke) and #antifejk (antifake).

Presenting results of the first Programme year projects and talking about challenging issues for the youth CSOs and media outlets in Serbia today, as well as presenting adequate information and tools for their future work were the key points during the final meeting with the programme partners within the first project cycle of the Programme Media and Youth for Democratic Development. During this three-day meeting, representatives of partner organizations adopted the necessary knowledge and skills that will help them to successfully continue to work on the same mission of further democratic development of Serbian society.  

The meeting was organized by Belgrade Open School with the support of the Kingdom of Sweden as part of the Programme "Media and Youth for Democratic Development". It was held in Sabac from 18th to 20th of May, 2022 and have gathered representatives of partner organizations – youth CSOs and media outlets.