SOCIAL MEDIA LEADERSHIP INCUBATOR FOR DANUBE REGION
Duration: From 1 April 2025 to 30 September 2027
Project title: Social Media Leadership Incubator for Danube Region
Project acronym: SMILE Incubator
Project coordinator: Faculty of Applied Social Studies in Nova Gorica
Type of project/programme: Interreg Danube Region Programme
Total project value: 1.960.000,00 EUR
Project value for Rudolfovo: EUR 116.500,00
Project Manager at Rudolfovo: Assist. Prof. Dr. Alenka Pandiloska Jurak (alenka.pandiloska@rudolfovo.eu)
Brief description of the project:
Recently, the most remote rural communities in the Danube Region (DR) have experienced drastic levels of emigration and consequent brain drain. They are facing an ageing population, difficulties in retaining young people and attracting new residents. Increasing demographic change is widening the gap between urban and rural areas and it is therefore urgent to address the key challenges facing rural areas. In addition, digitisation is dramatically changing the way we live. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are enabling individuals to access information, communicate and work remotely and are transforming the media landscape, where the role of social networks is rapidly growing. This means a greater diversity of information sources and enables citizens to participate actively in public communication.
Since 2008, Europe has been confronted with ongoing crises that have had a significant impact on the social, economic and political lives of its citizens. Dissatisfaction is often reflected on social networks, where a lot of misinformation has also emerged. The Danube region is no exception to these trends. In order to contribute to strengthening institutional capacities for territorial and macro-regional governance (DTP SO4.2), it is essential to involve the (young) population in public dialogue (EUSDR PA10, Action 7, Objective 7.1). In addition, media communication skills are an integral part of the civic competences (PA9) needed for sustainable democracy.
The proposed SMILE Incubator project recognises the need for action and aims to empower young people from rural areas by providing them with key knowledge, skills and tools. Through targeted campaigns and initiatives, the project aims to reverse current trends and provide young people with the necessary resources to succeed in their home environment. In this way, the project promotes sustainable development and resilience of communities in need of active and innovative political leaders who encourage investment in human capital, motivation and creativity.
The main objective of the project
The project develops a transnational social media leadership incubator for rural youth, which will serve as a mechanism for leadership skills building and empowerment, thus contributing to the development of sustainable democracies in the Danube Region.
The target group is young people from underdeveloped rural communities and activities will also target academics, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and media organisations.
Strengthening leadership capacity and digital skills will encourage young people to participate in active citizenship and contribute to shaping the future leaders of rural communities in the long term. These objectives will be achieved through three specific objectives (SOs), divided into 12 activities and 39 results.
Specific objectives of the project
SO1: Analysis of the state of youth participation and leadership in the Danube Region
Develop policy guidelines for strengthening social networks and leadership (O.1.1).
A handbook with strategic recommendations for policy makers and stakeholders (O.1.2).
Action plan with concrete steps to improve digital and leadership capacities in rural communities (O.1.3).
Recognition of youth activities through the SMILE Incubator badge (O.1.4).
SO2: Establishing a network of cooperation between stakeholders in the field of youth leadership
Active involvement of key stakeholders (O.2.1).
Development of a comprehensive strategy document to guide project implementation (O.2.2).
Development of an operational training tool for mentors and participants (O.2.3).
SO3: Development of tools to build leadership capacity on social networks
Specific tool for building leadership skills on digital platforms (O.3.1).
Documentation of training processes and evaluation report to monitor progress and effectiveness (O.3.2).
A Manifesto for the mobilisation of Danube youth, presenting the concrete results of the project and its impact on the next generation of rural leaders (O.3.3).
Project implementation
The SMILE Incubator project will be managed and implemented by a diverse but balanced consortium of 20 partners (Lead Partner - LP, 15 Project Partners - PPs and 4 Associated Strategic Partners - ASPs) from all 14 countries of the Danube Region. The consortium brings together complementary competences, experience and expertise to create synergies that will contribute to the high relevance and quality of the project results.