Four Days in Sarajevo – an Inspiring Story in Two Parts
This four-day experience in Sarajevo felt like an adventure in two acts without an intermission and with a guaranteed emotional uplift.
Part One: Partner Meetings that Inspire
The Baltic Centre for Media Excellence was delighted to join the Digital Activism Program community gathering, bringing together partners from across the world. Reconnecting with trusted colleagues and meeting new ones was like an energy boost that fuels the next steps forward.
A heartfelt thank you to TechSoup Europe for not only maintaining but purposefully strengthening this network of civil society organizations. The conversations, exchange of ideas and partner experiences served as an excellent mental workout, encouraging us to reflect on joint projects, future initiatives and bold concepts that may soon come to life.
Part Two: MEGAPHONE 2025 – the Loudspeaker of Democracy
The MEGAPHONE 2025 event clearly demonstrated that democracy is more than a concept – it is vibrant, dynamic and multifaceted. The organizers provided a rich and relevant agenda for civil society organizations, covering topics such as fundraising, cybersecurity, mobilization campaigns, strategic communication, depolarization, organizational resilience, climate and environmental issues, disinformation, the role of technology in digital activism and, of course, artificial intelligence from multiple perspectives.
MEGAPHONE is not an event where you simply “sit back and listen”. Each session actively involves participants – through discussions, practical tasks and idea-testing. At times, you hardly notice how you get swept into a whirlwind of thoughts and creativity.
But above all, it’s the people who make this event exceptional. Colleagues, friends, new contacts and inspiring activists I met or reconnected with. This community is vibrant, open and incredibly energizing. Thank you to the MEGAPHONE team for creating a relaxed and informal atmosphere that genuinely encourages meaningful collaboration. I can sincerely say that MEGAPHONE is a platform where new ideas are born, partnerships take shape and new skills are acquired.
Amid the intensive programme, Sarajevo itself shone through – a Balkan city full of charm. A place where “Little Istanbul” meets “Little Vienna”, simultaneously complex and effortless. Sarajevo leaves you with a feeling that it deserves a deeper exploration.
Despite the currently challenging (to put it mildly) circumstances for civil society, the Sarajevo experience reminded us that a dynamic environment and inspiring people remain the strongest drivers of new ideas and courageous action. We look forward to future opportunities to meet again and continue strengthening digital activism and civil society together.
Want to learn more?
MEGAPHONE website: https://megaphone.techsoupeurope.org/
Digital activism tools and resources: https://en.hive-mind.community/
