≈ Prepare some examples of activities that you did during the project related to the point you want to make, provide some anecdotes about cultural differences or funny situations related to your story. Journalists are looking for the surprising, the unlikely, the striking, something that jumps out. e.g. project created friendships between traditional enemies (e.g. in project between Kosovars & Serbs), Spanish participant plans to start up Belgian fries shop, etc Never tell or write anything that you don’t want to be published! Be very sparing about giving negative examples (e.g. something that went wrong) – focus on the positive points. Correct the journalists if they interpret something wrongly.
≈ Ask to have a look at the article before it is published (if possible), to check if the journalist understood everything correctly, or if there are possible mistakes in the dates, numbers or names.
Make sure you get a copy of the article/radio/TV piece It is great for the motivation of all involved to get a copy of the press-clippings, the little interview on TV or radio, etc. Collect what you are proud of and use it to show others what press coverage you had. This could go in a presentation portfolio of your project (and in the final report to the funders) and might increase your chances for future funding – because ‘obviously’ your project was very well appreciated in the media. That’s the reason why funders give money to your project: to Make Waves with it!
Making Waves˜WWW.SALTO-YOUTH.NET
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