The focus countries of the project were Kosovo and Serbia with three local implementing partners. The project started in February 2019 and lasted until 31 July 2020. It was funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

FPU’s implementation approach emphasizes the value of forming true partnerships with local implementers to co-develop project plans and build capacity. This approach led to FPU being perceived by its partners as a refreshingly different type of partner that takes a novel approach in its project implementation. By helping its partners to better understand their audiences and to identify common niches that outlets could fill, FPU motivated its local partners to embrace innovation and change even in such a short time frame.

The Media Incubator’s focus on increasing media outlets interaction with their audiences and encouraging citizen engagement is unique and fills an important gap not addressed by the interventions of other donors and international and local NGOs in Serbia and Kosovo. As such, FPU should attempt to build on this pilot with a larger-scale project.

External evaluator: Ivana Kahrmann