Brussels is Europe’s most multilingual city, but too often, its local media landscape fails to reflect that diversity.
WeSpeakBXL is a new media innovation project that brings together up to 20 young people from across the city to create inclusive, multilingual journalism, covering the issues that matter to them, in the languages they live and breathe.
Over 6 months, selected participants will be trained in digital storytelling, mobile video, and cross-linguistic journalism. Working together in small editorial teams, they will produce a series of original multimedia stories—videos, podcasts, articles—focusing on feminism, post-colonialism, local politics, climate justice, and youth activism.
WeSpeakBXL is independently run by TotalEU Production, a Brussels-based media initiative, in collaboration with investigative multimedia journalist and Fulbright fellow at Columbia University’s Toni Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism, Michele Calamaio.
The project is designed for people aged 18-30 who live in Brussels, regardless of background or language. While content can be created in multiple languages (French, Dutch, English, Italian, Spanish, and others), the working language of the newsroom is English.
Free workshops with experienced journalists and trainers
Hands-on newsroom experience and professional mentoring
Public events to showcase your work and connect with local communities
Public events to showcase your work and connect with local communities
Improving equal access to media for disadvantaged groups.
Supporting local outlets in producing high-quality journalism.
Strengthening the relationship between local media and their audiences.
Encouraging active engagement in democratic processes among all community members.
