Boosting Environmental Journalism in the Western Balkans
By Danijel Garic
My recent professional visit to Zagreb was more than a routine assignment—it was a journey that reinforced the power of cross-border collaboration and the role of journalism in addressing the environmental challenges of our time and the region.
Hosted by HRT (Croatian Radio television), I spent ten days immersed in editorial discussions, field reporting, and regional networking, all with a sharp focus on environmental storytelling. As a journalist committed to sustainability, I saw this opportunity not only as a professional exchange but also as a platform to strengthen regional media ties and foster a deeper integration of ecological topics across public broadcasting.
Working closely with HRT’s editorial teams, I pitched and co-produced a story on Croatia’s model of sustainable development. Collaborating with award-winning journalist Stephanie Stelko, we conducted in-depth interviews with policymakers, experts, and civil society leaders—offering a well-rounded perspective on the country’s environmental efforts. This project exemplified the potential of shared media missions across borders, particularly on issues as pressing and universal as sustainability.
Furthermore, I also participated at the European Festival of Journalism and Media Literacy held in Zagreb, during which I participated at different workshops on EU media regulation, fact-checking, media literacy, collaborative and investigative journalism. As a recipient of the Innovation. Media. Minds mobility grant, I shared my personal journey during the “EU funding opportunities for journalism” workshop to inspire other media professionals to pursue similar opportunities that support innovation in journalism.
Beyond reporting and speaking engagements, I devoted time to share my experience with fellow journalists interested in ecological topics. Drawing from my extensive experience in Montenegro, I presented my side of the expansive world of environmental reporting—from biodiversity and spatial planning to climate policy and the circular economy. This informal exchange sparked new interest among colleagues and demonstrated how journalism can influence public understanding and policy.
The visit also carried historical and symbolic weight. With HRT and RTCG (Radio and Television of Montenegro), the collaboration revived an old connection in the spirit of new challenges—exchanging perspectives on ethical journalism, innovation, and the evolving role of public media in the 21st century.
Conversations with Croatian experts, NGOs, and academics further enriched my understanding of effective sustainability practices. As a member of Montenegro’s National Council for Sustainable Development, I returned home equipped with legal frameworks and actionable insights that can contribute to shaping Montenegro’s environmental future.
What truly set this experience apart, was not just the exchange of knowledge—but the human connections, mutual respect, and collective vision that united everyone involved. My time in Zagreb affirmed that journalism, when driven by purpose and collaboration, can indeed be a force for positive change across borders.
Funded by the European Union, the Innovation. Media. Minds Program: Support to Public Service Journalism in the Western Balkans, is managed by the Goethe-Institut on behalf of the European Commission and in collaboration with its implementing partner DW Akademie. The contents of this story are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
My recent professional visit to Zagreb was more than a routine assignment—it was a journey that reinforced the power of cross-border collaboration and the role of journalism in addressing the environmental challenges of our time and the region.
Hosted by HRT (Croatian Radio television), I spent ten days immersed in editorial discussions, field reporting, and regional networking, all with a sharp focus on environmental storytelling. As a journalist committed to sustainability, I saw this opportunity not only as a professional exchange but also as a platform to strengthen regional media ties and foster a deeper integration of ecological topics across public broadcasting.
Working closely with HRT’s editorial teams, I pitched and co-produced a story on Croatia’s model of sustainable development. Collaborating with award-winning journalist Stephanie Stelko, we conducted in-depth interviews with policymakers, experts, and civil society leaders—offering a well-rounded perspective on the country’s environmental efforts. This project exemplified the potential of shared media missions across borders, particularly on issues as pressing and universal as sustainability.
Beyond reporting and speaking engagements, I devoted time to share my experience with fellow journalists interested in ecological topics. Drawing from my extensive experience in Montenegro, I presented my side of the expansive world of environmental reporting—from biodiversity and spatial planning to climate policy and the circular economy. This informal exchange sparked new interest among colleagues and demonstrated how journalism can influence public understanding and policy.
The visit also carried historical and symbolic weight. With HRT and RTCG (Radio and Television of Montenegro), the collaboration revived an old connection in the spirit of new challenges—exchanging perspectives on ethical journalism, innovation, and the evolving role of public media in the 21st century.
Conversations with Croatian experts, NGOs, and academics further enriched my understanding of effective sustainability practices. As a member of Montenegro’s National Council for Sustainable Development, I returned home equipped with legal frameworks and actionable insights that can contribute to shaping Montenegro’s environmental future.
What truly set this experience apart, was not just the exchange of knowledge—but the human connections, mutual respect, and collective vision that united everyone involved. My time in Zagreb affirmed that journalism, when driven by purpose and collaboration, can indeed be a force for positive change across borders.
Funded by the European Union, the Innovation. Media. Minds Program: Support to Public Service Journalism in the Western Balkans, is managed by the Goethe-Institut on behalf of the European Commission and in collaboration with its implementing partner DW Akademie. The contents of this story are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.