On August 6, 2025, YMCA Spain held a vibrant PulseZ local event, gathering around 100 young participants, mostly aged 16–17, in order to cultivate their passion for media and content creation, on a unique platform dedicated for them.
The event sessions comprised of a dynamic summer youth setting, the event’s main goal was to empower young voices through journalism, media ethics, and digital content creation.
In line with PulseZ’s mission, this day-long experience aimed to foster critical thinking, media and journalism, coupled with creativity, and civic engagement among participants, providing them with both the tools and the space to express themselves on social and global issues that matter to them.
“The event was carried out in one of our summer programs at our YMCA summer camp Las Cabañas. The day began with an energizing icebreaker game, where youth grouped themselves and then answered reflective questions like: “If you could tell something to the rest of Europe about your reality, what would it be?”
This led into the introduction of the PulseZ editorial strategy and the information about the platform from Module 1, where each participant or team would create a piece of digital content (video, podcast, or interview) aligned with themes of social justice, youth participation, or media literacy.
The morning session included a hands-on workshop on journalism, ethics, and fake news, inspired by Module 1 of the PulseZ platform. One key activity, “A World Without Journalism,” had young people imagine a world without media — prompting powerful discussions about corruption, misinformation, and the right to know.
“If no one reports the truth and there’s no systems to verify information, there would be chaos, a lot of corruption and human rights wouldn’t be respected,” one participant shared during the reflections of the activity.
In the afternoon, participants rotated through three interactive workshops where they learned more to prepare for the content creation at the end of the day: Creating Audiovisual Content, Social Change Through Social Media and Stories with Impact.
Each workshop gave them tools to not only refine their message but to express it with authenticity and responsibility. From writing a powerful interview to designing a short, high-impact reel, youth took ownership of their content and their voice.
Later in the day, they began production in small groups, supported by YMCA mentors and facilitators. The sessions ended with informal presentations and peer feedback, sparking a sense of pride, solidarity, and motivation to continue using media as a tool for change.
PulseZ offers more than a space for expression; it`s a hub for skill development in digital journalism, helping young creators refine their craft. From learning creative techniques and storytelling to understanding entrepreneurial approaches, participants will connect with experienced correspondents from across Europe, gaining invaluable insights into the media world.
Through EU Programme – DG Connect. CALL – CNECT/2023/9573146 – A European public sphere: A new online media offer for young Europeans
