The Serbian media landscape is highly fragmented, yet many of the existing organisations are closely aligned with political parties or the government. This restricts the diversity of viewpoints presented to the public, depriving citizens of the opportunity to access a broad spectrum of perspectives on critical issues. As a result, many Serbian citizens remain uninformed about essential matters. A new hub in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, with links to European media has the potential to strengthen independent media discourse in the country.

From stunning UNESCO heritage to organised crime, migration, overtourism and social inequality, Naples is a complex city that navigates contradictory narratives. It is also the capital of southern Italy, a problematic region which is often overlooked by European media. With a booming population and an outspoken civil society, the city presents great potential for the establishment of a new media hub that connects the south of Italy to the rest of Europe. Apply now to The Circle’s design sprint in Naples from 16-27 October 2023.

West Sweden is a hub for knowledge-intensive, creative industries in various stages of transformation. Gothenburg is well-positioned to capitalise on this trend and lead the way in the media industry. The city has a strong foundation in areas such as film, TV, and gaming, with successful companies and institutions operating within these fields. At the same time, it is strategically placed to connect Sweden’s indigenous communities to the Circle’s network. A new media hub in Gothenburg will contribute to increasing the region and the Nordic countries’ connections to the rest of Europe. Apply now to take part in The Circle’s design sprint in Gothenburg, from 12-23 September!

Cluj-Napoca, in Transylvania, has a growing media ecosystem. The city’s universities offering media-related programmes, including Babeș-Bolyai University and Cluj-Napoca University of Art and Design, attract talent from around the world, contributing to the development of a skilled workforce for the media industry. As the city continues to develop, it has the potential to become a major player in the media industry, both in Romania and beyond. The Circle will be in Cluj-Napoca from 12-23 September 2023.

Tbilisi, situated at the crossroads of continents and cultures, has a diverse and welcoming culture in its own right. Its independent media ecosystem is extremely resilient, having to withstand significant pressure from the state. Gradually adjusting to the challenges of today, Tbilisi media-makers and creatives are growing their audiences in the digital sphere and are looking to strengthen connections with Europe. The Circle visited Tbilisi in October 2022. The local hub, now a registered NGO called Press Allies Society, is working both on the local and the cross-border levels to set up an exchange programme between European and local journalists.

Porto is an international city with an abundance of creators and creative communities. In recent years, it has become a favourite destination for digital nomads, international events, and new tech initiatives. Yet the independent media scene in Porto is virtually nonexistent. The Circle ran a design sprint in Porto in January 2023, where a team of local journalists and media makers set out to create a community for media makers. The local hub are currently working on a publication that highlights local stories and problems with cross-border value.

Vilnius is an international city with a favourable environment for media-makers and creatives. In 2022, Lithuania rose to the ninth spot in the World Press Freedom Index. However, recent years have presented challenges to the media sphere, including a lack of funding and disinformation spread by Russian-speaking media. Further, as emerged from The Circle’s design sprint in March 2023, the city’s media community is rather compartmentalised, with little collaboration across different communities or organisations. In order to solve this problem, the Vinius hub is organising a series of English-language events bringing media makers together to learn and exchange.

Arts and culture thrive in Lyon, yet its media scene lives in the shadow of the French capital. Starting a media hub in Lyon is therefore a step in countering the centralised dynamics in the country, where work opportunities, especially in the media sphere, are concentrated in Paris, and creating opportunities for media entrepreneurs to develop a network and serve local communities in their own right. The Circle was in Lyon in April 2023. Now, the local hub is working on an event format that brings local communities together with media makers, sharing local stories and creating media together.