«Com.Media» – Development, Operation and Promotion of Multicultural Media (Community Media)

Duration:	2005-2008
Partners:	«DIMITRA» Education and Consulting S.A. Development Agency of the Municipality of Athens S.A. ARSIS – Social Organization for the Support of Youth BEE GROUP S.A. – Network Services – Business Consultants Municipality of Athens – Broadcasting Enterprise “ATHINA” 9.84 Municipality of Thessaloniki Municipal Information, Entertainment and Communication Company (DEPTHE) Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation 3 S.A. (ERT3) Union of Editors of Daily Newspapers of Macedonia and Thrace (ESIEMTH) Management and Informatics Company – Youth Informatics, Innovative Development Systems Ltd. (IDS Ltd.) Association of Albanians of Thessaloniki Prefecture Ministry of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization (MI.P.A.D.D.)
Project Website:	http://commedia.dimitra.gr/
Authority:	Ministry of Employment and Social Protection
Program:	EQUAL

Description

The project’s main objective is to combat discrimination against migrants:

• In the media sector as a workplace, by creating the conditions that will lead to the development, organization, and operation of multicultural media through the active participation of individuals from the target groups themselves, as well as their professional specialization and entry into media industry professions.
• In the media sector as a platform for showcasing and promoting new ideas and culture, through the design, production, and broadcasting of multicultural programs with the participation of individuals from the target groups, and
• In the media sector as agents for shaping and influencing public opinion, aimed at combating stereotypes and prejudices.

The central idea of the project is the organization and pilot operation of two multicultural media outlets in the municipalities of Athens and Thessaloniki — which will also serve as “hubs of multifaceted activities” — with the aim of becoming mechanisms for providing alternative information and ensuring access for all citizens to information and public affairs in general.

The EQUAL – ComMedia project includes, among other things, the following actions:

• The organization and operation of two multicultural media centers (Community Media Centers) in Athens and Thessaloniki, under the responsibility of the municipalities of the two cities.
• The production and broadcast of multicultural audiovisual programs, both via the internet and through the media outlets participating in the implementation of the project (ERT3, FM100 & TV100, ATHINA 9.84).
• The development of research and studies regarding the institutional framework for the operation of Community Media (CM), the exploration of public opinion, as well as the investigation of the needs of migrants themselves regarding the operation of these media.
• The training of migrants and refugees in media professions, aiming to staff the two centers and to facilitate their general access to the media labor market.
• The promotion of the idea of volunteering through the active participation of target groups in program production and the development of a network of beneficiaries and volunteers.
• Raising awareness among organizations and the general public about the operation of multicultural media and combating prejudice and stereotypes in the media.

Our organization, as the coordinator and manager of the Project, undertakes all necessary actions related to the coordination, administrative support, management, and financial monitoring of all the Actions included in the project.

Specifically, it has undertaken the implementation of the following actions:

• Coordination of the project
• Development of an Operational Plan for the Organization and Operation of Community Media – Exploration of establishing entities & support for their operation
• Operation of the Community Media Centers in Athens and Thessaloniki
• Design and Production of Educational Material for the training of Community Media staff
• Training of target group individuals in media-related professions to staff the community media
• Seminars for presenting the results of the research and study work – Awareness raising for journalists and public opinion
• Creation of a Documentation Guide on Issues of Racism and the Media
• External Evaluation, Transnational Cooperation