100 students from six universities, including from Găgăuzia region and the left bank of the Nistru River, will learn how to write press materials about local environmental issues at the Eco Media Academy. The training programme will be implemented until the end of this year with the support of Sweden and UNDP Moldova, in partnership with the Association of Environmental Journalists and Ecological Tourism in Moldova. 

Students from the faculties of Journalism and Communication Sciences, Philology, Sociology, and environmental specialties from Moldovan universities, who are interested in improving their skills in documenting and writing media and new media materials in the field of environmental and water protection have been invited to participate in the Eco Media Academy. The training programme will be available at the State University of Moldova, Free International University of Moldova, State University "Alecu Russo" in Bălți, State University "Bogdan Petriceicu-Hasdeu" in Cahul, State University of Comrat, University "Taras Shevchenko" in Tiraspol.

Present at the launch of the Eco Media Academy, Katarina Fried, Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Moldova, said: "Environmental journalism is crucial for promoting sustainable development and protecting our planet, as highlighted by the launch of the Eco Media Academy platform. Sweden supports Moldova’s efforts towards European integration and a better future through media freedom and environmental awareness."

"As we know, the media plays an indispensable role in raising public awareness about environmental issues. An informed public fosters stronger debate and when environmental concerns such as water protection and water quality are brought to the forefront, they compel more effective action from authorities, businesses, and local communities. That is why the development of environmental journalism, with a focus on environmental protection and water management, is a priority for us," said Seher Ariner, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova.

The programme will have a theoretical and a practical component. The first component will include a three-day training session, which will be conducted by national environmental and media experts. Thus, the beneficiaries of the programme will gain basic knowledge in the field of environment and water protection, as well as the necessary skills to investigate local cases of environmental pollution, understand the impact of climate change and pollution on water resources, etc. The trainings will help future journalists to address environmental issues and raise awareness of society about their role in environment and water protection. 

"Environmental media is important for future journalists because it tackles issues related to climate change and water quality, which are not often talked about in mass media, thereby contributing to a more informed society that is also more committed to protecting the environment. And last, but not least, the course develops investigative and critical analysis skills, which are important in a journalist's work," noted Sergiu Guțu, student at the Faculty of Journalism and Communication Sciences, State University of Moldova.

The practical component will include a mini-expedition along the Nistru River, documenting and writing press materials about local environmental issues and publishing them in local media, and at the end participants will be able to submit their materials to a creative contest. The aspiring journalists will also have the opportunity to work in local newsrooms and learn from professionals. 

The Eco Media Academy is carried out within the framework of the UNDP Project "Supporting the Moldovan authorities in the sustainable management of the Nistru River".