Development Grant for Project Idea on Media Production in the Classroom

Voice4You, run by journalists Jenny Sköld and Lotta Bergseth, who also operate the publishing tool Mobile Stories—a platform where schoolchildren can publish their own news and learn about journalism—has received a project development grant. This funding will support their project idea, TrustEd Future, which aims to create models for collaboration between schools and media. The project seeks to strengthen young people's source-critical abilities, their trust in journalism, and their engagement in societal issues through media production. A key objective is to contribute new knowledge to the education sector, media, and policymakers via a research study on the impact of youth media production in Swedish classrooms.

"With TrustEd Future, we want to demonstrate how schools and media can collectively strengthen young people's source-critical abilities, trust in journalism, and engagement in societal issues," say Jenny Sköld and Lotta Bergseth. "Through this project, we aim to develop new research-based knowledge on how youth media production in schools can enhance source trust, democratic resilience, and the relationship between local media and young people. In this way, the project can also contribute to a more resilient society."

In this preliminary study, Voice4You will identify and connect with potential partners in the Swedish media and school sectors, as well as engage researchers and other relevant stakeholders. They will also prepare applications for project funding and identify potential financing models to ensure the project's long-term sustainability, while mapping the needs and resources of media organizations and schools.

"After working on an international project for a while, we're very much looking forward to focusing on Sweden and the opportunity to strengthen knowledge about youth media production in a Swedish context. Media & Democracy is the obvious collaboration partner for this!"

To be eligible for project development support, an idea must meet several basic requirements, including aligning with Media & Democracy's focus and ensuring that any future project will be carried out in collaboration with Media & Democracy.

"Learning and development often happen when theory and practice are combined. This project idea connects precisely to that combination within a socially important area that also aligns well with Media & Democracy's mission. Contributing to an initiative that aims to strengthen research and collaboration on this issue therefore feels both interesting and relevant," says Martin Holmberg, Program Manager for Media & Democracy.

Read more about the project development grant here. 

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