When the daily grind takes over, pausing to reflect becomes a luxury. But it’s in those rare moments of stepping back that journalists can reset direction, draw inspiration from others, and see the bigger picture.
Surviving and Adapting: What Local Media Can Learn From Each Other
When the daily grind takes over, pausing to reflect becomes a luxury. But it’s in those rare moments of stepping back that journalists can reset direction, draw inspiration from others, and see the bigger picture.
One such moment came during the Innovation Fair in Budapest, where Media4Change represented Lithuania. The event brought together local media actors from across Europe – all searching for new, sustainable ways to strengthen independent journalism.
Among the participants was Vaidas Pilkauskas, editor of Kas vyksta Kaune.
“Events like this are energizing – they inspire and give you the strength and ideas to keep moving forward.”
When Pressure Pushes Toward Reinvention
One of Vaidas’ key takeaways came from hearing how media outlets in other countries survive under constant pressure.
“I was inspired by stories of how media organizations manage to survive under political pressure and how they adapt their operational models to stay alive.”
These examples aren’t just relevant to authoritarian contexts. They invite all journalists to reflect on the limits of their freedom and to seek resilient, creative models that enable long-term survival.
When Unplanned Conversations Make the Biggest Impact
For Vaidas, informal moments with fellow Lithuanian journalists were just as valuable.
“You can get really sharp insights – the kind you wouldn’t find time for if you tried to organize something like this back home.”
In one mentoring session, he happened to overhear plans from local competitors to launch regional news portals – a reminder that even in struggling markets, competition is real and shifting fast.
“It made me rethink where we’re headed.”
When the Audience Becomes More Than a Reader
Another powerful moment came during a session with Dr. Roberto Suárez (South 180), focused on understanding and engaging local audiences.
“He shared insights on how to better understand your audience, work more closely with them, and create value in ways that matter to them.”
This resonated strongly – and inspired Vaidas’ team to invest more energy into their newest project: “Kas vyksta Neringoje”, a news platform tailored for a region they describe as a “news island.”
Change Takes More Than Ideas – It Takes Support
Right now, local and community media across Europe have an opportunity to apply for the LIMENet grant – designed to support growth, experimentation, and sustainability through both funding and expert mentorship.
- Applications are open until August 25
- Up to €20,000 in support available
- Includes international mentorship and peer exchange
- More info and application form
📩 Questions? Write to: [email protected]
Experiences like these bring journalism back to what matters: not just informing, but staying resilient in the face of growing challenges.
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.
