The implementation of PulseZ Goes Local officially began with its kick-off meeting in Gabrovo, Bulgaria, hosted by YMCA Gabrovo.
Representatives of all six partner organisations — YMCA Europe, YMCA Ireland, YMCA Arad, YMCA Gabrovo, KFUM District Öst and Matrix came together to launch the collaboration, align their priorities and take the first steps towards turning the project’s ambitions into concrete activities.
The meeting marked the starting point of a two-year journey to strengthen youth participation in democratic life through journalism, digital storytelling and media engagement. The project aims to bring these opportunities closer to young people in local communities, while strengthening the capacity of youth organisations to support them.
Making youth voices part of public debate
At the centre of PulseZ Goes Local is a simple ambition: young people should not only consume information or follow public debate, but have the skills and opportunities to shape it themselves.
The project will support young people develop their media literacy and create content around issues that matter to them. Through practical learning, they will gain experience in researching, questioning, fact-checking, storytelling and communicating their perspectives responsibly.
Local PulseZ Media Labs will provide spaces where young people can experiment with different formats, exchange ideas and develop their own stories. Workshops and mentoring from experienced journalists and media professionals will complement this process, helping participants turn their interests and ideas into meaningful content.
Building stronger local opportunities
PulseZ Goes Local is also about equipping youth organisations and youth workers with the knowledge, methods and resources to make youth-led media activities part of their ongoing work.
By developing local activities and strengthening the skills of those who facilitate them, the project aims to create sustainable opportunities for young people to participate, learn and express themselves. Particular attention will be given to reaching young people with fewer opportunities, including those whose perspectives are often underrepresented in mainstream media and public conversations.
The project connects media skills with active citizenship. Whether exploring local challenges, discussing European issues or sharing personal experiences, young people will be encouraged to use storytelling as a way to understand their communities and contribute to democratic life.
Connecting local action with a European perspective
While implementation will take place in local contexts, cooperation between the six partners will give the project a broader European dimension. Partners will exchange knowledge, learn from one another’s experiences and develop approaches that can be adapted to different communities.
Because every European story starts somewhere local.
The first step of a shared journey
Following the kick-off meeting, the partners will move forward with preparing the project’s activities, developing local Media Labs, supporting youth workers and organising training, mentoring and opportunities for content creation. Community events and public showcases will give participants further opportunities to share their work and engage others in the issues they raise.
The kick-off in Gabrovo was therefore more than the beginning of a partnership. It was the first step towards putting the project’s vision into practice: creating stronger local spaces for youth-led media, connecting young people across Europe and helping a new generation make its voice heard.
PulseZ Goes Local is co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme.
