GIZ Kosovo and ITP Support Journalists through the Green Innovation Media Lab in Prizren
With the support of GIZ Kosovo and Innovation and Training Park (ITP) Prizren, 20 journalists from media outlets across Kosovo took part in the “Green Innovation Media Lab – Reporting on Sustainable Economic Development and Innovation in Kosovo,” held at ITP Prizren from 16 to 18 October. Implemented by the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AGK), the three-day programme aimed to strengthen journalists’ capacity to provide professional, in-depth and responsible reporting on sustainable economic development, innovation and the green economy.
Throughout the programme, participants worked with trainers and subject-matter experts to further develop their skills in economic journalism, data interpretation, identifying stories of public interest and developing stronger reporting angles. The programme combined theoretical sessions, practical exercises, discussions, editorial mentoring and the development of concrete story ideas.
On the first day, participants were introduced to our work and the innovation ecosystem at ITP Prizren, as well as GIZ Kosovo’s areas of work, before moving on to sessions dedicated to economic journalism and innovation.
Agon Sinanaj, the lead trainer, focused on using statistics, economic indicators and data to develop stories of public interest. His sessions covered green growth, innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), information and communication technology (ICT), and the digital economy. He also worked with journalists on turning data into concrete story ideas and developing editorial pitches that avoid promotional coverage.
Sanije Jusufi led the sessions on people-centred economic journalism and responsible reporting. Her focus was on explaining complex economic topics through human stories, with particular attention to their impact on the workforce and communities, ethical reporting, diversity of sources, fact-checking, and identifying disinformation and greenwashing. During the practical sessions, she addressed story structure, interviewing techniques, news framing and the importance of tailoring stories to their audiences.
On the third day, Brikenë Berisha from the Kosovar Stability Initiative (IKS) led a session on inclusive green growth. The session focused on women’s economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, innovation, women-led businesses, inclusive policies, and ways journalists can incorporate a gender perspective into economic reporting without relying on stereotypes.
An important component of the Green Innovation Media Lab was the practical work supporting participants in developing their own stories. Journalists presented their initial ideas, received individual feedback and were assigned to four editorial mentors, who will support them through the further development and publication of their stories.
