For people the world over, more and reliable information also means increased access to education, health care, gender equality, income opportunities and government services. In crisis situations, information can simply mean the difference between life and death.

Internews’ media assistance work allows populations to make their governments more accountable, to develop tolerant and prosperous communities, rebuild lives and livelihoods in the wake of destabilising conflict and to achieve greater clarity on the current forces affecting their lives. 

In humanitarian crises, Internews ensures that information saves lives. Through coordination with the UN and many other international agencies, Internews works with local media to relay information on how to register as a refugee or how to access safe food, water and medical attention.Internews believes that every country’s information ecosystem is different.  Before launching a new programme,

Internews engages local and international experts to help identify the most significant and influential channels
of information and communication in each context. In lesser developed countries, ‘conventional’ media such as television, radio and print will reach the most people. However, in many regions the digital information revolution demands more innovative and technologically advanced projects, responding to the latest trends in mobile phone and internet usage.

How we work

Wherever Internews Europe works, it seeks to build the long term capacity of local media and other players in the information ecosystem to develop resilient and reliable communication flows for the benefit of the wider population.

It does so through a wide range of activities including:

• International standard training, mentoring and fellowships for journalists, editors, broadcasters and other local media professionals
• Institutional support to local media and information flows through small grants, technical upgrades and long-term income generation schemes
• Stabilisation and provision of information flows during natural or manmade disasters and production of media materials containing lifesaving information
• Intensive support to emerging information stakeholders, such as bloggers and online networks to professionalise the digital information space
• Engagement with local media to improve the quality of reporting around key themes such as conflict resolution, human rights, the environment and public health
• Engagement with grassroots Civil Society Organisations to promote their role in informing public debate and knowledge
• Specialist support to independent media and information channels in countries with limited or compromised press freedom
• High level engagement and lobbying around enabling media regulation, self regulation and development of national policies
• Development of innovative communication platforms and systems, appropriate for local contexts, to support all of the above

Internews Europe’s programmes are designed and managed by a team of highly seasoned international media and development experts, each with many years’ experience in their own specialist fields.