On 4 June, Albanian Women in Audiovisual (AWA), in partnership with SCiDEV, hosted the closing event of the “Breaking the Moulds, Shaping the Future” project at Tek Bunkeri in Tirana. The project was funded by the European Union in Albania.
The event opened with welcoming remarks by the European Union Ambassador to Albania, Silvio Gonzato, followed by a panel discussion on local journalism, with a particular focus on women journalists, their representation in the media, and gender equality. The second part of the evening featured screenings of short films, mini-documentaries, podcasts, and artistic works created by beneficiaries of the project’s Mini-Grants Programme.
The event took place at a significant moment for Albania, as public squares in several cities had become gathering points for demonstrators participating in the Flamingo Revolution. These developments once again highlighted the essential role of local journalists and independent media, who have been covering the protests through alternative approaches while amplifying events through social media and digital platforms.
In his opening remarks, Silvio Gonzato, Ambassador of the European Union to Albania, emphasized the importance of independent and inclusive journalism as one of the fundamental pillars of European values.
“Through initiatives such as ‘Breaking the Moulds, Shaping the Future’, we support not only media professionals and organisations, but also the democratic values that form the foundation of Albania’s European future,” Ambassador Gonzato stated.
He also addressed journalists directly:
“My message to journalists is this: continue telling stories that matter, continue challenging stereotypes, and continue giving a voice to groups and individuals who are too often underrepresented. In doing so, you contribute to building an informed and democratic society. We will continue to stand by your side.”
Following the Ambassador’s speech, the panel discussion “Strengthening Women’s Voices in Local Journalism and Media” was moderated by Valbona Sulçe and featured Sabina Kodra (AWA), Blerjana Bino (SCiDEV), Lorin Kadiu (Citizens.al), and Emi Kalaja, a local journalist from Shkodër.
During the discussion, Sabina Kodra emphasized the importance of recognising and valuing the work of local journalists, content creators, and storytellers who bring the realities of their communities into the public eye. She stressed that the value of their contribution cannot be measured solely by the final products they produce, but also by the dedication, time, trust built with communities, and persistence required to make these stories visible in the public sphere.
Blerjana Bino presented SCiDEV’s work in promoting gender equality, improving working conditions, and strengthening internal policies within Albanian media organisations. She also introduced the Gender Equality Manual, developed as part of the project, as a practical tool for media institutions. According to Bino, the manual addresses a longstanding gap in the Albanian media sector, where many newsrooms still lack clear policies and effective mechanisms to ensure gender equality, protect labour rights, create safe workplaces, and prevent harassment and other forms of discrimination.
Representing the perspective of independent media, Lorin Kadiu highlighted the importance of reporting stories that often remain outside the attention of mainstream media. He noted that local and independent media are closer to communities and their concerns, yet continue to face persistent financial challenges and limited resources while carrying out their essential role of informing the public.
Closing the panel, Emi Kalaja shared her experience as a field journalist, speaking about the everyday challenges of reporting at the local level. She underlined the need for women’s perspectives and voices not to be treated as secondary in journalism, but to become an integral part of the way communities and their realities are reported and represented.
From Discussion to Celebration: Screening Nine Films, Artistic Works, and Documentaries
One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of nine multimedia projects produced under the Third Mini-Grants Programme, showcasing stories, perspectives, and realities related to gender equality, representation, local communities, and broader social challenges.
Through documentaries, short films, podcasts, and artistic productions, the creators explored issues that often remain outside mainstream public debate. The audience watched the documentary “The Women Recyclers” by Romina Sefa, the short film “She Tells” by Emi Kalaja, and “The Invisibles” by Elira Kadriu, each exploring the experiences and challenges faced by women in different social contexts.
The programme continued with the artistic project “Album and Pulse” by Hajrije Dedej, the documentary “What Is Missing from the Frame” by Ardit Alimemeti, the short film “Two Worlds” by Olsi Sherifi, and the documentary “FemnArt” by Ilir Shyta. Participants also watched the podcast “Gender and Education” by Megi Trashani and Maria Gogo, as well as the short documentary “Nightlife” by Ida Gurguri.
The projects demonstrated the power of journalism, art, and multimedia storytelling to bring often unheard voices and overlooked stories to the forefront, encouraging reflection and discussion on issues that matter to local communities and society as a whole.
Alongside the multimedia screenings, participants visited an interactive visual storytelling exhibition, which presented, through photographs, multimedia materials, and personal testimonies, the stories and experiences of the beneficiaries of the Third Mini-Grants Programme.
A special feature of the exhibition was an art gallery consisting of 22 photographs created by 22 women beneficiaries of the programme. Through their works, the artists explored themes of identity, gender equality, community, and social challenges. The gallery created a dialogue between art, journalism, and civic activism, demonstrating that storytelling can take many forms while sharing the same goal: fostering public debate, raising awareness, and inspiring positive social change.
