EU PRO media competition for the best media reports on the EU support at the local and regional level

26. април 2021. | Belgrade

EU PRO media competition for the best media reports on the EU support at the local and regional level

The EU PRO Development Programme, in cooperation with the Ministry of European Integration of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, has launched today a competition for the best media report by local and regional media outlets on the topic of the European Union’s support to local development provided through the EU PRO Programme. The competition aims to promote and reward the best media reports, as well as to contribute to better informing the public, particularly local communities, about the EU support to the economic and social development in Serbia.

All local and regional print media outlets, TV and radio stations, as well as media portals registered in one of the 99 local self-governments included in the EU PRO Programme are eligible to apply for the competition with a story that thematically covers various segments of the EU support provided at the local level through EU PRO projects.

The themes may include support to the economic development of local governments, employment of the local population, improving the quality of life in the areas of education, health, culture, sports, support to youth, environmental protection, as well as social inclusion and fostering gender equality.

Media stories, published/broadcast in the period from 22 April to 17 May 2021, can compete in one of the following four categories: print, TV, radio or media portal. In addition to the main competition categories, media outlets, as eligible applicants, can additionally submit three media stories in a special competition category – set of media reports. The propositions of the competition are available on the EU PRO website, while the competition itself will be realized via the EU PRO Media Competition platform, where more detailed information and the application procedure are presented.

One winning media outlet with the best story will be selected in each category, and they will receive valuable prizes. The Ministry for European Integration and the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia will decide on additional two media outlets to be rewarded. Thus, with EU financial support, through the EU PRO Programme, seven media outlets will receive prizes in the form of equipment worth USD 5,000 for the purpose of improving local and regional media capacities for reporting. The author of one of the winning stories, which the jury chooses as the best, will receive a laptop. As part of the awards for journalists who are the authors of seven winning works, the Ministry of European Integration will organise a two-day working visit to Belgrade based relevant state institutions involved in the EU integration process. The visit will be organised in accordance with the epidemiological situation and in compliance with all measures.

The long-term successful cooperation of the EU Delegation, the Ministry of European Integration and UNOPS, as well as local and regional partners, will continue through the new European Union programme for local development – EU PRO Plus. This three-year initiative, whose activities contribute to a more balanced socio-economic development of Serbia, is supported by the European Union with a total of EUR 30 million aimed at contributing to improved territorial development management, economic growth and improvement of social infrastructure and cohesion in 99 local self-government units in two regions: Šumadija and Western Serbia and Southern and Eastern Serbia.