“Strengthening Independent Media for a strong democratic Ukraine” provides a set of support measures for Ukrainian independent national and regional media to enable them to fully play their important role in the Ukrainian democracy at community level.

Strengthening the democratic media ecosystem facilitating the EU integration of Ukraine is the core objective. The project aims to increase sustainably the capacities of target independent media, including the Ukrainian Public Service Media, Suspilne, to promote a constructive and open dialogue in local communities across Ukraine and to support the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting towards its path to meet EU standards.

DW Akademie as the lead organisation and the Ukrainian organisation Lviv Media Forum use their experience in supporting independent regional media across Ukraine with focus on niche media and constructive journalism.

A “MIL Initiative for Youth” from DW Akademie in partnership with the Public Media Academy of Suspilne aims to engage young people (12-18 years old) and give them a voice in the local democratic process.

The Ukrainian Public Service Media, Suspilne is strengthening its work in investigative reporting, children´s content and develops its digital modernization further. The capacities of the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting are fostered.

The overall objective is to strengthen a democratic media ecosystem facilitating the EU integration of Ukraine. The specific objective is to increase sustainably the capacities of target independent media, including the Ukrainian Public Service Media Suspilne, to promote a constructive and open dialogue in local communities across Ukraine.

With strong media, actively supporting a constructive dialogue in their communities, Ukrainians will have access to creative and trustworthy relevant content. The action will thus mitigate the risk of information deserts outside of the large urban centres. The objectives shall be reached via a set of five expected results.
A Regional Media Booster, including in-depth management consultancy, financial support, professional mentoring, and constructive journalism trainings (OP1), a “MIL Initiative for Youth” (OP2) to further boost the audience of free media to engage young people (12-18 years old) and give them a voice in the local democratic process; the Ukrainian Public Service Media Suspilne is supported to become a digital champion (OP3); an Audience Engagement Programme (OP4) for niche media strengthens their capacities and the reform of the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting towards meeting the EU standards (OP5) is supported.