This summer, Media Connectors across the Middle East and North Africa were busy covering events, organising gatherings and producing stories that put young people, communities and constructive journalism at the centre. From a park clean-up in Amman to a documentary premiere in Beirut, here is a look at what the network achieved in July and August.

Community action in Amman

On 4 July, Media Connectors Abdalhafeth Ghanem, Shahed Kohof and Sultan El Mughrabi covered a community clean-up event at Queen Rania Park in Amman. Organised by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Union, the Greater Amman Municipality and other partners, the initiative brought together young people, families and local stakeholders to promote responsible waste management, environmental awareness and community participation.

The three Connectors produced a joint reel featuring an interview with Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, EU Ambassador to Jordan, who spoke about the importance of community action and environmental awareness. The video was also published by the EU Delegation to Jordan, which highlighted the role of Media Connectors in documenting the initiative and showcasing the value of community engagement.

Youth voices at the ALF Youth Conference in Cairo

The Anna Lindh Foundation (ALF) Youth Conference in Cairo brought together around 100 young participants from across the Euro-Mediterranean region, with a focus on strengthening youth voices in policy and dialogue. Media Connect was there to tell the story.

On 5 July, Media Connectors Jasmine Taha and Waad Saber covered a youth dialogue with Dubravka Šuica, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean. The exchange gave young participants the opportunity to discuss youth engagement and cooperation on shared regional priorities. Both Connectors produced reels capturing the perspectives shared during the meeting, including discussions around a future Youth Parliamentary Assembly for the Mediterranean and the protection of shared cultural heritage. Their coverage helped amplify youth participation in a high-level EU engagement and showcased the role young people can play in shaping a more connected Euro-Mediterranean region.

On 7 July, Connector Malak Karim turned her attention to the partnership between EU MedBridge and the Anna Lindh Foundation. Her video highlights how the two initiatives work together to empower young people through dialogue, collaboration and meaningful engagement. The reel features interviews with Josep Ferré, Executive Director of the Anna Lindh Foundation, and Joumana Brihi, EU MedBridge Team Leader, who offered their perspectives on the partnership and its role in turning youth ideas into action across the region.

Young environmental storytellers in Tabarka

On 24 July, Media Connector Rawaa Ammar covered the closing of the National Environmental Content Creation Camp in Tabarka, Tunisia. Organised by the Tunisian Ministry of Youth and Sports in partnership with the EU4Youth programme, the bootcamp brought together young people from across Tunisia to develop digital content and awareness campaigns on environmental issues and climate change.

Rawaa’s reel captured the closing of the initiative and its focus on empowering young people to become environmental content creators and advocates for climate awareness. The programme combined immersive environmental experiences with training in storytelling, digital communication and audiovisual production, helping participants translate what they learned into content for wider audiences.

Empowering women in journalism in Tripoli

On 15 August, Media Connect member Nagham Alferjani organised “Empowering Women in Journalism: A Networking & Mentorship Coffee” at the CSRC in Tripoli, Libya. The event brought together 24 experienced female journalists, recent media graduates and students, creating a supportive space for women in media to connect, exchange experiences and discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping their careers.

The session featured a panel on field experiences, a presentation on EU programmes, the Media Connect network and constructive journalism, as well as interactive networking activities. Conversations also touched on work-life balance for female journalists and the gap between academic education and labour market expectations. Graduates had the chance to share their aspirations while learning directly from more experienced professionals. Through open discussion, mentorship and networking, the event fostered meaningful intergenerational connections within Libya’s media community.

From wildfires to climate resilience

On 18 August, Media Connectors Rachid Tehami and Ranim Hamouda hosted “From Wildfires to Climate Resilience: Understanding the Challenge, Driving Climate Action”, an interactive online webinar and panel discussion attended by 30 participants. The event explored the growing impact of wildfires across the Mediterranean and their consequences for ecosystems, biodiversity, local communities and sustainable development.

The discussion brought together young climate leaders, green entrepreneurs and activists from Tunisia and Libya to exchange perspectives and experiences on climate action. Participants examined how greater awareness, youth-led innovation and practical engagement can help communities better understand climate-related risks and build resilience to increasingly frequent and severe environmental challenges.

Remembering the past in Beirut

On 24 August, Media Connector Rawan Mhanna covered the premiere of Echoes of the North: The Unspoken Memory at Metropolis Cinema in Beirut. Produced by Spot-Cast Platform with EU support, the documentary explores the collective memory of the Lebanese Civil War in Tripoli and Akkar between 1975 and 1986 through first-person testimonies, accompanied by an exhibition of restored archival photographs.

Rawan produced a reel highlighting the event, featuring interviews with Omar Khaled, the film’s director and Team Leader at Spot-Cast, and Mohammad Ghazawi, a member of the Spot-Cast team. Her coverage helped amplify an EU-supported media and cultural initiative dedicated to memory, documentation and storytelling in Northern Lebanon.

A growing network of constructive storytellers

Across six countries and one online stage, these initiatives show the breadth of what Media Connectors bring to their communities: documenting local action, amplifying youth voices in regional dialogue, mentoring the next generation of journalists and telling stories that matter. Media Connect, part of the EU MedBridge programme funded by the European Union, continues to support young media professionals in promoting quality, constructive journalism across the MENA region and beyond.