How powerful can local journalism be when it truly sees, hears, and reflects its community’s reality?
This question echoed throughout the Innovation Fair in Budapest — an event held under the LIMENet project umbrella, where Media4Change represented Lithuania as a national partner.
Among the participants: Indrė Kiršaitė, representing NARA.
When Small Shifts Build Deep Connections: What Indrė Kiršaitė Took Home from Innovation Fair
How powerful can local journalism be when it truly sees, hears, and reflects its community’s reality? This question echoed throughout the Innovation Fair in Budapest — an event held under the LIMENet project umbrella, where Media4Change represented Lithuania as a national partner. Among the participants: Indrė Kiršaitė, representing NARA.
“I was most inspired by examples of local journalism from across Europe — how it’s possible to build close relationships with an audience, even a small one, respond to local issues, and pursue small but meaningful change.”
When Connection Resets Priorities
While journalist safety has always been an important part of Indrė’s work, the exchange of experiences at the fair encouraged her to reflect on it even more deeply.
“Talking to other journalists helped reinforce the importance of safety and capacity-building in our work.”
These in-person encounters don’t just build networks — they foster solidarity, especially crucial for journalists working in sensitive or high-pressure environments.
When Mentorship Becomes a Roadmap
What stayed with Indrė wasn’t just the stories — but also the practical, actionable advice shared by mentors.
From dedicating time to long-term strategy to managing financial independence and using simple tools for financial planning.
“The mentors’ ideas truly resonated — from the reminder to set aside time each week to think about the future of the organization, to concrete examples of how to manage finances.”
When Community Strengthens the Voice
If additional resources were available, Indrė says the biggest impact would come from strengthening the relationship with the audience and creating more structured learning opportunities.
But beyond one organization, she believes the real value lies in what happens when media voices come together.
“So that those voices are heard more clearly.”
Networks like Media4Change offer space for smaller or less visible media to gain support, build confidence, and find pathways to grow — together.
Final Week to Apply for LIMENet Grants
If your newsroom is working toward stronger audience relationships, greater resilience, or journalist safety — the LIMENet grant programme may be the momentum you’ve been waiting for.
- This is the final week to apply! Deadline: August 25
- Up to €20,000 in funding available
- Includes mentorship and access to an international network
- 🔗 More info and application form
📩 Questions? Reach out: [email protected]
LIMENet is implemented by a consortium led by the Media Diversity Institute Global (Brussels), in cooperation with the Media Diversity Institute Western Balkans (Serbia), Media4Change (Lithuania), and SDRP.EU (Poland).
The LIMENet project is co-funded by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme.
